Complex sentence: Although no written confession was obtained, an unsuccessful attempt was made to record the statement mechanically; at the trial, detective McComic, Byles, and Kinney testified as to the content of the William's confession.
Split into simpler sentences: Although no written confession was obtained, an unsuccessful attempt was made to record the statement mechanically. At trial detective McComic, Byles, and Kinney testified as to the content of the William's confession.