The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-31
THE WOODFORD AFFRAY,
STATE vs.. BENT AND RoBERTs.


The Hearing ON Charge Of Murder Before
Judge Darling, Municipal Court,
Friday.-RespOndents Held for the Grand
Jury.-The Judges Charge.
The ARRAY in Woodford on the after
noon of December nth, 1888, by which
one Lewis Valdez was so severely in
jured that he died on the 10Th inst, has
had frequent mention in these columns.
The assailants, Henry Bent and Bert"
Roberts, Jr,, were arrested at the time
on a charge Of assault, with intent to
kill, and after few days were given
hearing. Walder's condition at that
time was hopeful as to physical recovery.
although the physicians agreed that he
would be mental wreck from the great
injury received and the paralysis follow
ing.
AS the result of that examination
both respondents were held to bail in the
sum of $4,000, which bonds were given
by Bent and he was at liberty until re.
arrested on a charge of murder after
Walder's death. Roberts, who had
failed to obtain bail and was in confine-
ment, was also rearrested. The hearing
was set for last week Thursday, but was
continued until the day following. the
25th, to enable a Troy lawyer to be pres
ent. The case was called at 10 o'clock a.
M, States Attorney o. NJ. Barber ap-
pearing for the prosecution and William
B, Sheldon and Seymour Van SAINT
voord of Troy for the respondents.
The inquiry was proceeded with join
lu rHo tho at,tIannn nf h.
cutiOn, although it is claimed by the de-
Tense that respondent Roberts is the per-
son who dealt the fatal blow, and that
consequently Bent is guilty, if at all, of
minor crime only, The case ELECTED
much interest both in Bennington and
Woodford, and the court room was
crowded during the entire course of the
proceedings.
AS will be seen by the Judges charge,
below, this case hinges upon whom is to
be believed, the boy of Walder's, aged
ten years, or the sworn story of RIB arts
in his own behalf and corroborated by
Bent, also testifying in his own defense
The States evidence has been printed
pretty fully as the result OF the first ex-
animation and we do not repeat here.
In the words Of another 1.-The evidence
for the defense substantially corroborat-
ed the testimony of the boy up to the
time of the actual assault There it ma
terially differs" His Honor sets forth
the claims of both sides, below, 80 clear
ly that we omit the detailed statements
OF the respondents also, except the fol-
lowing explanatory paragraph THE
house formerly occupied by the victim
, is situated at the highest extremity of
the first rise of the Green Mountains in
the vicinity Of Woodford, and the lands
in front of the house slope gradually to
an edge near where the tragedy oc-
Cured, where they sink in an abrupt
bank, hiding the exact location from
view from the house. On the afternoon
of December II while coming down the
narrow roadway, leading from the house
to the highway, and at the base of the
hill, the boy found his father in an alter
cation with respondents, Bent and Rob
erts, over a debt of $1.25, due for days
labor performed by the deceased in the
service of the prisoner, Bent.
Bent's testimony corrobOrates Roberts
fully, as well as August Walders, up to
the crucial point. The wagon and dray
stood some two feet apart, and respond
ents were transferring wood from the
latter to the former. Bent stood be
tween the dray, and says he stood there
during all the time Roberts engaged the
Dutchman, they being to the rear of the
wagon and the dray. He speaks of
Valdez as "Uncle," says he was on good
terms with him and the only words
made over the $l.25 was that he and
Valdez did not agree as to the time the
latter worked, but had the money in his
pocket and intended to pay the claim.
the reason Bent did not draw the
poles Valdez wanted hauled in lieu of
money, was because of horse in his
team that day which was uDaccustomed
to the work. This is why a third horse
was along with them. There is dis
crepsncy of story between the boy and
respondents about this horse, and the
la ter accounts for the short club being
near Walder's body in that it was thrown
at this horse before the affray began.
The skull-cap of the dead man was
exhibited in court and presented a most
astonishing appearance. 1t is cracked
into seventeen pieces and the larger
cracks extend below the exhibit even
down to the base of the brain and head, |
before and behind) making the whole |
head cracked into several more pieces. |
The exhibit shows the two operations
performed, by which Walders life was
prolonged. Three doctors swear 20 i |
lively TO the belief that Wal Ter ne O.
staggered or took single step after re-
ceiving such an injury to the head.
This would be corroborative of the little
boys testimony.
No one can base a second opinion up
on this case without the full evidence
befo him. The boy tells his story
child fashion, which carries conviction,
at the same time the respondents sp-
peared well on the stand, and Bent, in
had a candid frank way
about him which made him many
friends, in the audience. As giving per-
haps the best exposition of this most I'M
fortunate affair at this time, we print
the charge of Judge Darling, and upon
which he based his findings. In the
above we have given the news not here
toiore printed as fully in our columns,
and herewith submit the remarks OF
Judge Darling.
THE COURTS OPINION.
In light of all the circumstances, re-.
annnhant Rnbarfc pnuct ha hold uOop HE