Inspector Richard J. Nugent escorted James Mahan Mitchell into Municipal Court for arraignment in the gruesome murder of Lillian McDonald. Mitchell was accused of clubbing his co-worker to death in the basement of the Loring, Short & Harmon stationary store, at 474 Congress St. and then incinerating her body in the furnace.

This picture and story dominated the front page of the Portland Evening Express on Monday July 14th, 1930. According to the caption, Mitchell was viewing the crowd of 1,000 spectators as he was led into the courthouse. He was quoted as saying "...I guess I was the last one to see her alive." Mitchell was first sent to Augusta Hospital for observation and then pled guilty. He was sentenced to life in the Maine State prison.