The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-08
ABOUT A WATCH
Expert Charles Jones Tried
for Embezzlement.
Charged With ApprOprlating
Frank JOseph'S Timer.
The Prisoner Told Fairy Stories TO
the Detective.

The trial of Charles Jones indicted for
the EN- bezzlement of a watch which took
place in Judge Wilhur's court today
proved an interesting one. Jones claims
to be an expert watch and clock repairsr
and last Novem Der he TOOK a watch from
Frank Josephs, a Portuguese, resident OF
Fox Point. 10 have the main spring fixed
and the watch generally oyerhauled.
Jones had previously repaired u clock for
Josephs. The local detective force took
a hand in trying to sscertsiD the where
abouts of the wattn after Josephs had
complained about the long time Jones
had kept ii.
Detectives swan and ParKer testified
that Jones gave them various.bints about
the wberspouts of the watch saying it
was first at his home in Wanskuck and
then saying IL was on his work table at
his home, 1872 Valley street. After telling
some other stories which included one
that he mad sold the watch to q man
named smith in Fall River, Jones be-
came sort of non-c'nmital.
Attorney Franklin p. Owen, who de-
Tended Jones asked the detectives what
right ttey had to take jones of the street
and ask him such questions as they
did. He also took mum ber of excep-
tions to questions put to them by the at
torney general. Both Parker and swan
testified that they did not tell Jones he
wss net obliged to answer the questions
put to him.
At the conclusion of the States testi-
mouy Mr.. owen asked the court to direct
a verdict for the defendan, as there was
no proof apar, from the defendsnt's own
statements about selling the waIch and
that he did not in fact sell it but always
kept 1t In his possession ano conse-
quently thers was no em bezzlement.
Judge Wilbur decided to let Mr.. Owen
put in bis defence.
Charles Jones, the defendant, testi hea
that he simply took the watcb 10 repair
1t and that much tinewss required to
fully assure a skilled watch repairer that
bis labor has been thorough and sue
cessful. The attorney general handled
MIR. Jones without gloves in the cross
the officers the stories be did because he
was not under oath, tni aid not think
the detectives had the light TO ask him
the questions they did. "1hen you lied, -
said the Attorney General. 4" was not
unoer osth," wss the reply. There was
a brief discussion on m orsls between the
Ststs's attorney and the witness during
which the latter said ne did not went to
crimiDate himself when talking to the
officers.
Deputy Sheriff Ham was the other wit
ness in behalf of the defendant. lie testi-
fed that he got the watch from Jones
after the lsttsrs iri In the district court
ana Jones then told him be had never
sold the watch. The prisoner had no time
to go to Fell River aud get the watch but
did have time to 90 to bis nome on Pot
ters avenue.
IL reply To the attorney general Mr..
Ham said be did not know any Smith In
Fall River unless il was Walter c. Smith.
The attorney general said you know
"blacksmith," and Mr.. Owens "silver-
smith" and Mr.. Ham said yes aud watch
smith.
The court did not agree wit Mr.. OWENS
That the case was sufficiently clear to
direct a verdict and the case went to the
ury.