|
116 TRIAL OF JOHN W . WEBSTER.
I found this bunch of skeleton-keys, [producted by the witness;
some twenty-four in number, mostly new, or bearing marks of recent
filing,] in Dr. Webster's back private room, in a drawer, tied up, as
they now are.
[The witness was next asked, If he had made any trial of the keys,
to see what doors of the College they fitted; and what doors those
were?
The counsel for the defence, objected to the introduction of this
evidence, as not sufficiently connected with the prisoner.
On the part of the prosecution, it was stated, that it would be shown,
that the prisoner had represented, that he found the keys in the street;
and that, tied in the same bunch with the skeleton-keys, were other
keys, acknowledged by the prisoner, to be his. It was also urged,
that, as the chemical-rooms were separated from the rest of the Col-
lege, and had no necessary connection with the others, as testified by
Dr. Holmes, it might become material to show, that the prisoner had
provided, or designed to provide, himself, with the means of access to
other apartments, besides him own.
The Court held the testimony, to be admissible.]
Mr. Starkweather, resumes.-This key fits the dissecting-room.
This, one of the locks of the door, between the lecture-room, and the
back room; and this, the store-room door. The last, bears marks of
having been recently filed. I cannot find, that the skeleton-keys fit
any of the locks of the College. These two brass keys, (also found in
the same drawer of the back private room, but on a separate string,)
fit the upper, and lower, front-doors. I also found, in the drawers of
the back private room, or rather, in a cupboard, which was painted on
the outside, so as to resemble drawers-[Further answer arrested.]
Mr. Sohier.-I should like to inquire, before permitting tthe witness
to answer further, " What the Government expect to prove, in rela-
tion to that cupboard? "
Mr. Bemis.-We expect to show, that it contained a considerable
quantity, and variety, of ardent spirits. I will add further, (to the
Court,) that I do not know, in candor, that there is any necessary con-
nection, between the presence of spirits there, and the commission of
the homicide by the prisoner. But we submit the evidence, for what
it is worth, as having a possible connection with his acts.
The Court deemed the evidence inadmissible.
Mr. Starkweather, resumes.-I have heard Dr. Webster make some
statement, in regard to the skeleton-keys. When he was up for exami-
nation, before the Police-Court, while we were waiting in the judge's
private room, I said to him, in the presence of Mr. Andrevds, the jailer,
" Doctor, I found some keys in your back room." " What," says he,
" those hat are filed? I picked them up, in Fruit street, one day, and
threw them in there, into the cupboard."
Cross-examined by Mr. Sohier.-I testified before the coroner's jury.
I made minutes of things at the College, as I found them. I made a
memorandum of everything. I began, when I commenced the search,
on Saturday. I went everywhere, on the search, to Salem, Billerica,
and other towns. At the time of the conversation with Dr. Webster,
at the jail, I wrote it right down, and have the paper with me. I made
this writing, before I testified before the coroner's jury. I don't think,
that I said anything, then, about Dr. Webster's putting his hand into
his pocket, and putting it up to his mouth.
I was at 'the College, on Friday, .the 30th, at half-past four o'clock
P. M., with Mr. Kingsley, and saw Littlefield. I asked him, if there
was any place that hdd not been searched? He said, That all had been
searched bust the privy. I said, "Can we not get in, there?" Mr.
Littlefield said, " No, Dr. Webster has locked it, and got the key," I
spoke about coming, the next morning, and making search. I think,
that Mr. Kingsley and I, went away, together.
|
