Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-12-31
EsteIIa Bates Acquitted.

| ME mary Ao-tfcs VINO Was con-
victed in Bennington county court
Dec. p of the murder of her husband,
Marcus Rogers, recovered her spirits
before she retired that night and sing
ing, apparently as happy as ever.
when the jailor locked up her cell at
Q O'Clock. She is practically in soli-
tary confinement, as there is no way
in which she can converse with any
one. Whether she realizes IN any
degree the horror OF her situation, or
the enormity OF her crime. no one
knows. She has never referred to il
in any way to any person, unless she
did to Estella Bates.
The case against Estella Bates.
charged with completely with Mrs.
Rogers and Leon Perham, was mol
pressed, and she was released from
custody. Probably no more surprised
woman ever was seen than Miss Bates
was when Sheriff Nash told her in
the court room that she was free and
could 90 where she pleased. She
had been expecting to 90 through
the same ordeal as Mrs. Rogers had.
She was motionless for a moment
then with Deputy John Nash walked
out of the court room, down to hel
cell and quietly began to make pre-
parations 10 leave. She went TO Troy
on the evening train. a ticket being
I purchased tor her by a court official
I 1t was at first almost beyond Mrs
Rogers comprehension that Estelli
Bates had been acquitted until thu
latter began to search her clothes anC
cell and took from her anything in
the shape OF steel that could be found.
While Estella concluded the work
with the assistance of the matron Of
the jail, she fully realized that hel
4 friend had escaped trial. Then she
had her cry and sobbing spell, bnl
after IL was over she came back to
the same Mary Rogers. She con
soles herself with thinking that she
will never be hung, that her sentence
will be committed 10 lite imprison'
ment. and in few years she will be
pard oned ont.
The punishment for murder In the
second degree 10 which Leon Perhan
pleaded guilty, is life Imprisonment
That is the sentence that he will
receive but il is not probable tina
he will serve out any such time
There are extenuating circumstances
In his case which will probably b.
used in securing a commutation.
+ The sentence against Mrs. Rogers
cannot be carried into execution
before 1905. II the legislature doe
not commute the sentence hers vii
be the first case OF hanging in thi
state IN more than dozen years
The next case set for trial Is tina
of state against Mrs. Alice Moflat
who is charged with attempting Z
poison her husband, Philander Mofiat
of Sandgafe, who is well-to-d'
farmer In that town, and for a mum
Der OF years had in his employ young
man named Joseph Mears. with whom
ii is alleged Mrs. Motfat became
enamored. Mofat was taken violent
IN i'll one day and investigation SHOWED
that corrosive sublimate had beef
put in bottle of whiskey that n
had in a closet in bis house. Near
was arrested for the crime, convicted
and at the last December term 0
court was sentenced to serve not les
than rs years or more than - i
the state prison. New evidence wa
secured and at the last June tern
Of court Mrs. Moiiat was indicted
Mears being one OF the principa
witnesses against her. The stat
has some dozen or more witnesses
and the case promises TO be one
considerable interest.