Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-10-04
ALBERT BILLS ON TRIAL
Brought into County Court on
Charge Of Criminal Assault.
Miss Winnie OConncll, His Alleged
Victim, Tells Her story In Court
Fred Harding Her Escort
Also Testiaes.

Albert Bills was brought into Chitter-
den county court Thursday afternoon. an
Information having been filed against him
charging criminal assault on Miss Win
ME O'Connell and also inf1delity, the re-
spondent being a married man. This case
grows out OF the arrest of Bills last week
FOR assault on Miss O'Connell at Queen
CITY Park the right of Sept. 20.
The first witness was Miss O'Connel, the
victim. who told at length the story of the
assault. She said that she and Fred Hard
ing went to Queen City Park on the even
ing In question and that after remaining
short time at the further end of the
park returned to the trolley station, near
the foot bridge. Later thcy went across
lots to the Red Rocks road, where sud
denly Bills appeared saying he was an Of
fcer and would arrest them "for trespass-
ing on temperance grounds"
Bills seized Miss O'Connell by the wris'
and although the couple attempted to re-
monstrate with him. he insisted that they
must accompany him to see Mr.. Fowler.
After arguing at length. Bills consented to
leave Miss O'Connell and go to the other
alleged official with Harding. The young
woman then started back toward the troll
ley car track when suddenly upon turning
around she beheld Bills close by. Bill'
told her he would take her to her com
panion She said she was frightened and
screamed and that Bills put his hand over
her mouth and forced her away towards
he Red Rocks. She said she resorted to
every means to gain time in the hope that
relief would come but all of her entrcaties
were In vain. After the assault Bills
showed her the way to tho car track,
At times while telling her story Miss
o Council showed nervous excitement and
once nearly tainted.
The second witness was Fred Wright To
whom Miss O'Connell told her story after
the assault and who accompanied her
home.
The last witness examined Thursday af-
ternoon was Fred Harding, the escort OF
Miss O'Connell when the trouble arose. He
corroborated Miss O'Connell's testimony
| saying that when he offered Bills money
II he would release them, Bills replied that
once he took money under similar condi-
tions and came very near losing his Jot
as officer for go doing After Miss O'Con-
nell left. Bills remarked to Harding that
| he would follow her and conduct her pas,
the other officers to the car Harding said
would be unwise for him to remain longer
so he returned TO Burlington and did not
| become aroused about Miss O'Connell's
safety until he called at her home and
found that she had not returned
The case OF State vs. L. j. Sanders
! charged with criminal assault upon tho
| little King girl in Westford last July. was
completed in Chittenden county court
| r'S Infa
in the nature of complete denial of the
allegations saying that although they
worked on the same farm. he had but
little to say to the girl, whose appearance
he did not like He is married man bu
| does not live with his wife.
The case went to the jury shortly after
| noon Thursday and brought into court
the jury came in, reporting that they
by Judge Rowel.
| DR.. c. i. Sanderson of Milton was ar
rested Thursday and brought into court
on an indictment found against him at ths
present term Of the grand jury. DR.. San
derson Is charged with giving prescrip,
lions for intoxicating liquor when it was
not necessary for medicinal purposes He
as principal and his brother. Horace NJ
SanderSon Of Milton as surety, furnished
| bail in the sum of $500.
The jury in the case of State VS.. l.. j
Sanders, who was charged with crimi-
nal assault on the Is years old kng
| girl in Westford last July. after having
| had the case over % hours, reported
shortly after four o'clock yesterday af-
ternoon that they were unable to agree
on a verdict. Three times before their
| final report the jury came in and re-
ported disagreement and as many
times they were sent back for further
elaboration. After reporting disagree
ment a fourth time, Judge Rowell ex-
cused them. Sanders was taken back
| to jail.