June 11, 1873 Portsmouth Daily Evening Times Opening of the trial Read Text Version At the opening of the trial of Wagner, the county attorney made a long address to the jury, giving them minute details of the murder, dwelling at length upon the jurisdiction, explaining the boundaries of the county and providing by old records that the case can be legally tried in York county. The witnesses for both sides were excluded from the court, and will be called to the stand separately, as the case demands. The prisoner manifested no emotion; even while the County Attorney recited the details of the terrible act his countenance remained unchanged and wore and wore an incredulous smile. The courtroom was crowded to suffocation and the excitement intense. The afternoon session was occupied in the examination of witnesses for the government, three of whom testified. Their evidence was merely as to facts coming to their notice after the deed had been committed, and did not bear directly upon the prisoner. Wagner regarded the twenty-six witnesses for the prosecution with pleasant smiles, looking at Christenson, the husband of one of the murdered women, with special interest and pleased recognition. CREDITS: This Smuttynose Murder news clipping feature: Created, designed and hosted by SeacoastNH.com With thanks to The Portsmouth Public Library & Portsmouth Athenaeum Primary researcher: Richard Winslow For more info see SMUTTYNOSE MURDERS Concept and design Copyright © 2000 SeacoastNH.com

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