Commonwealth v. Ferry

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Maxey,

Appellant, Paul Ferry, was convicted of murder in the first degree and the sentence of death imposed. His victim was his wife. She was found dead in the basement of her home on May 9, 1936, obviously killed with a knife and a hatchet, and her body hidden by a pile of wood. The evidence showed that the defendant had been living in the home during the week in which she was killed. He frequently quarreled with her and at various times she caused him to be arrested for assault and battery and surety of the peace.

The proof of guilt was circumstantial. It was shown that…