Reading Time: 3 minutes [373 words]

560 X, AMERICAN STATE TRIALS.

may be received as very satisfactory. There is one other fact
of importance in the case connected with this confession and
one which may test its truth. Mr. Mathews testifies that
after De Wolf had made this confession to him, he (Mathews)
told him he did not believe his story but the ‘he had thought
of a way to test the trath of it, if he would esent to it. He
(the prisoner) wanted to know what it was. Mathews told
him he would have Stone srrested that evening, as accessory
to the murder, and put in the cell adjoining, and after all
was still in the house he should commence a conversation
with Stone which he could overhear. He (the prisoner) said
he couldn’t do that, because things would come out against
him which would make his case a great deal worse than it
now waa, alleging that a man in his situation would tell moat
anything to save his own life. Now is this confession com-
petent and credible. It is for the court to ascertain whether
the confession was made under proper circumstances to ba
admitted as evidence. If the person accused is persuaded or
induced by fear or any improper motive te make confession,
the Court will not permit it to be introduced and it would be
rejected. The lettera written by the prisoner have an inti-
mate connection with his co ion, and are evidence because
they were written under cireumstances of no fear or per-
suasion. One speaks of trouble and alarm, etc., but has no
important bearing upon the case. The other dated on the
28rd of February, and addressed to the wife of the deceased
is more important, but both are competent evidence, and may
be received as such, so far as they corroborate the confession.
The court were of the opinion that no inducements were of-
fered the prisoner in order to draw from him a confession,
and it was therefore admitted as evidence. In order to make
it more full and complete, Mr, Lincoln, the sheriff, who was
present, teld him to say nothing to him in confidence, as it
would go before the District Attorney. The prisoner was
taken from his cell to the room of the jailer, and each sen-
tenes of his confession was read to the prisoner, who sol-
emnly asserted that all was true. It was then signed by him-

Related Posts