“After I had hit her about three times with the wrench, I hit her with a knife several times, to be sure to finish her, and then I took her over in the lot; I dragged her by the foot; and then I went home and got there about 7:30.
“The knife I stabbed her with was one that belonged to my father and I took it home and put it in the pantry drawer.
“I left the wrench somewhere near where I hit her. When I hit her first, she did not scream but moaned.
“She said she thought it was quite a ways and she did not see any house.
“I was not afraid when I got home; I was just as happy as I ever was and didn’t think anything about it as I thought I had revenge.
“I make this statement voluntarily and under no fear or threat and knowing the same may be used against me.
“Jean Gianini.
“Subscribed and sworn to before me this 28th day of March, 1914.
“Fred Moore,
“Justice of the Peace of Town of Russia.”
In its main points the confession must be accepted as true. To refuse to accept it would be to admit at once without further proof that the boy was crazy or an imbecile, since, if it were not true, it is inconceivable that any normal person would claim to have done such a deed. It is accepted then by all that Jean Gianini killed Lida Beecher on the night of March 27th, 1914. There is no difference of opinion on that point. It is now only a question of his responsibility.