The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-21
Successfully Shakes Wife's EW-
dence in Case Of Burglary.
HUSBAND HIS OWN ATTORNEY
Charges Prosecuting Attorney With Prsju.
dice and That Official Is Sharply Crltl-
cssd BY The Presiding Judge.

New York, May 2l.-In the county codrt
unusual spectacle was presented OF hus-
band, struggling against conviction that
wouli mean Imprisonment for life, cross
examining his young wife....who had been
called by the prosecution as witness
against him. The prisoner was Matthew
A. Travis. who is accused of having head
ed a band of burglars who committed
many robberies in Queens.
CONDUCTED HIS OWN DEFENCE.
Foue indictments were found against
Travis. He was convicted on the first.
He charged his lawyer with indif-
ference 10 his interest, and asked per-
mission, which was granted to conduct
his own defence on the remaining
charges
Travis is a longshoreman and is 80 years
his life in prison. After his indictment
he escaped from Jail with William Wat
son, an alleged accomplice, but was re-
captured and a new Indictment for Jail
breaking was found against him. He is
the house OF George Legair of Richmond
Hin. The home there OF Police Sergeant
Frank Williams was entered the same
night.
Mrs. Travis, an attractive brunette, was
summoned by District Attorney Merrill
TO testify against her husband. One OF
the strongest links I'm the case OF the
prosecution was a pair OF patent leather
shoes, found in Travis home that Ser
geant Williams said had been stolen from
him. Mrs. Travis testified that her hus-
band had returned homo at about four
o'clock Christmas morning. He was
wearing the patent leather shoes and had
his old shoes in his pocket.
HUSBAND AGAINST WIFE.
Mrs. Travis partly hid her face I'm her
hand when her husband began to ques-
tion her. Her voice sank so low that he
was forced to encourage her.
mo matter what you say" he said. tell
the truth"
She admitted that she had told her hus-
band TO get a new pair of shoes for
Christmas. He says that he bought them
OF second hand dealer. She told. I'm an
almost inaudibe voice. OF how she and
her husband had begun housekeeping.
They were forced to buy what they could
as their savings would permit. and IL was
six months before they got together
enough TO keep house.
Did the district attorney tell you any
thing to turn you against me?" Travis
asked.
do you want me 10 prove it?' de-
manded District Attorney Merrill before
Mrs. Travis could answer
Yes, prove it, retorted Travis, turn
ing sharply on his prosecutor.
Mrs. Travis, with evident feeling, re-
piled that Mr.. Merrill had told her that
her husband had been spending money
on another woman I'm this borough, ana
that he had given this woman her jew
elry. Her husband led her TO tell how ne
had pawned her dmond earrings TO buy
a rug for the dining room, because they
expected visitors. and how he had given
her the money and put the pawnticket In
a bureau.
did / ever tell you an untruth?" Mrs.
Travis said he had not
IL was shown that Travis worked hard
at the docks, sometimes "a hours at a
stretch and that his employers trusted
him with money and bank books.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY CENsURED.
Travis had asked to have subpoenaed
Richard Lees, with whom he said he hao
spent Christmas Eve. and who was with
him when he bought the shoes. Lees
could not be found. and the man who
had kept the shop, II appeared. was In an
insane asylum.
You are trying to prove your case 10y
calling your absent pals" said the dis
trict attorney.
That is an improper remark" SAID
Judge Moore Indignantly. "and you ougnI
to be ashamed of yourself for making II.
IL you cannot convict this man in a faIr
open trial you ought to consent TO ms
acquittal"
Travis made a short speech TO the jury
I'm summing up, pointing out that the
heavy rubber coat that he wore on the
night OF the burglaries would have made
so much noise that IL would have made
his detection certain. The district at
torney spoke at length.
After the judges charge. the jury re-
tired and they disagreed. Travis was set
at liberty.