The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-20
Her Trial Begun at Olney.
vile Today
Judge JOhnsOn'S Court Was a
Center of Attraction.
The Accused Pleaded Not Guilty.
Testimony Was Taken.


District Court tefore Judge Johnson at
9:I5 this morning. Mrs. vslois was repre-
sented by Stephen w. Ashton OF Fall
River and Town Solicitor Il. p. Owen of
Scituate and Assistant Attorney General
III. j. Dubois appeared for the prosecu-
tion.
Mrs. valois, who has been out on bail
since her arrest, was seated beside her at
torney, attired in black. She wore thin
veil and bunch of white flowers were
noticea ble on her bosom. A large number
OF witnesses were present and the court
room was kept clear OF the usual crowd
to give suitable accommodation.
After the reading OF the warrant the ac-
called Sanford Walker to the stand as its
first witness. He testified that he was a
butcher, mason, and man OF all work In
the town of, ,Scituate.
That on the 7th of last November Mrs.
Valois came over to his holse which was
not far distant from her fathers residence
in Scituate, and asked him TO go for the
doctor. He stated that she was not fully
dressed, wore no stockings and had a
shawl on her head. She appeared much
excited and to his question "Clara, Whist
is the matter,?'' she said, "Father has
shot himself He swore that at the
house he examined the pulse and heart
OIL MI. hO6S-ltr WHO'LL Ut 1Ounu lfLnR
across the bed, and discovered that he
was dead. This was about O'Clock in
the morning. He stated that Mrs. Valois
did not enter the room while he was
making his examination, but stood i'm the
doorway. He testified that he notified
the coroner and was absent about half an
hour to do that.
Swore that q person could not see the
bullet hole from the door.
Under cross-examinatlon he testified
that Mrs. Valois acted like crazy person
while he was about the premises.
John Cook, teamster, swore that he
wss told by Coroner Wood to go down
and remain with the body. He saw a
pool of blood ON the floor. He saw no
powder marks on the face around the
bull ct h ole, on the righttemple.
Alburta ID. Wood, coroner for Scituate,
was the next witness. lie testified to the
manner in which he found the body lying
across the bed, also as TO the conversation
he had with MRS. Valois, whose first re-
marks were when he appeared at the
house: ~ want you to protect me; this
isn't any Lizzie Borden case"
de said that the dead man laid on his
back with his bead turned to the right;
that the bullet hole which was clean cut
was not noticea nle until he washed the
blood off. 1t was dried upon the wound.
In the door looking into the room the
Dullet DOle cOuiu mt Dt seen.
The witness was asked to explain a test
he had made regarding the dripping of
water andssas to whether it could be heard
In the next room, which was occupied as
a chamber by Mrs. Valois and her mother.
Objection was raised and the test was not
explained.
He testified that Mrs. valois told him of
her fathers transfer 10 her of his per-
sonal property the day before his death,
and n document showing such transfer
was offered.
Attorney Ashton asked for what pur-
pose lit was introduced and Attorney
Owens replied to show motive for the
offence.
The revolver which was found in the
lap of Mr.. Roessler by Coroner Wood was
identified, also the bullet, which was re.
moved from his head.
Coroner Wood said that Mrs. Valois
stated to him that her father had misused
her and that she had no love nor respect
for him, and that she would have worn
scarlet to the grave II she could have done
so. He stated that Mrs. Nalois said she
would have administered liquor IL she
had seen any sign of life when she dis
covered him.
At the inquest Wood stated that Mrs.
Valois testified that the door leading to
her fathers room was open. lie found
it closed with clothes hanging over it.
lie swore that he measured the distanc
ii was 33 feet from where the body lay
across the bed to the bed of his wife in
the ad joining room.
In cross-examination Mr.. Ashton asked
IL he had not told Mrs. Valois that he
would treat her like a sister. This he
denied, but said he would now state II.
Mrs. Valois said that her father had been
planning to disgrace her. In answer to
the question whether he gave her any ad-
vice he said, 81 told her TO remain and
clear 1t up." He swore that she asked
him IL she was to be arrested aud he an
swered her: 81 should make all arrange
ment TO be arrested"
Dr. 3. II. Smith, medical examiner, tes-
titled regarding the examination OF the
wound. IT was his opinion that death
was instantaneous He said the bullet went
directly through the head indenting the
skull en- the opposite side but did not
pass out. He believed at first IL was sui
eide but so much was said he thought
the case ought t. be investigated. On
cross examination he gave his opinion
that IL was suicide.
Dr. Palmer OF Providence, as an expert
was called. He testified that bullet that
made clean-cut flesh wound was fired
from 4 to fee: from the body. In pJa-
jority Of suicides the flesh wounds were
ragged. The bullet taken from the head
of koessler was shown him and he stated
that IL indicated IL had been fired at
distance from the tody
He said il was possible, not probable,
that pistol would fall into the lap and
remain there. In cross examination Dr.
Palmer stated that IL q man had been
despondent IL was more than probable
that he would mold revolver in his hand
after ceath IL he had fired IL. He stated
that a bullet with the normal prorelling
power fred at distance of six inches
from the head would have passed through
the head on the opposite side.
Town Sergeant Nathan Colvin was
the next witnesses.
He testified OF his knowledge OF the
Roessle- family; stated that Mrs. valois
had told him that she always carried a re-
volver and knew how to use IL; also that