The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-30
SWAM FOR LIFE;
LEFT GIRL TO DIE
Gillette Testifies He Deserted
Billy When She :. Leaped
from Boat"

Wednesday, Chester Gillette today re-
snmed his seat on the witness stand
prepared to stick to his story that
Grace Brown, whom he is alleged to
have slain and left in Big Moose lake,
died the death of suicide. e.. +. .... s..
There was big crowd at the court
house today, much larger than the spa
cious courtroom and it's oldfashioned
gallery were capable of accomodat-
ing, interest having been aroused by
the announcement that Gillette would
be on the witness stand again.
Girl May Aid Gillette. q
It is said that one of the witnesses
who will testify in support of Gillette's
story is girl who was a friend Of
Grace Brown.
She will testify that the dead girl
was Of an emotional nature and subject
to sudden whims which completely
took possession of her. -,
This testimony will be used to sup
port the theory of the defense that the
almost subconscious desire for suicide
mind took sudden hold of her and
forced her to the act which caused her
death. ..,,.,-
The delicate condition in which She
was at the time and which is likely to-
lead to sudden insanity will also be
raised in support of the theory. ''> "
Gillette Is Not Confused.
Gillette withstood the cross-examina-
ton today better than he did Wednes.
day, tho today the test was not so
severe. The district attorney dwelt
upon minor details.
g, His reason for registering under fc-
titiOus Dames at the various hotels at
which the couple stopped was to pro-
tect Miss Brown, he said. He denied
that he had so yelled his identity to
escape arrest when the body of his
alleged victim was found. ..-s.xz.3
He said that he had carried his
heavy overcoat, and other articles,
when the two went boat riding in case
Miss Brown should need the coat, altho
it was a hot July afternoon.
Gillette had sworn that films taken
from the camera he carried had never
been exposed. Today the district at
torney showed pictures on these films.
Gillette declared ignorance Of how they
came to be exposed.
He denied that he hated Grace Brown
or that he was ashamed to be seen with
her. He said that his attitude toward
her had not changed, despite her condi-
ton. - e. -
Denies His First Story.
Gillette stated that his version Of the
tragedy as narrated to Under Sheriff
Klock few minutes after his arrest
to the effect that the affair was an &C.
cident and that he had tipped the boat
over accidentally while they were pick
ing pond lilies, was lie.
"Now. did your attorneys tell you
to, tell different story than the one
you told Under Sheriff Klock9'
fEThey did, e..
- Witness, describing the girls act in
leaping into the water to her death,
said she jumped from the stern of the
boat; that he shouted for help, and that
no one responded. and that he tried
there
=" Did you try to reach her9' s<No.',
. - Yet you say you swami in the Pa
cific ocean. -" @E*I did, :>H'a' 80
y" And you didn It SWIM to this girls
aid?' II did not.''
when she, leaped into the water
from the boat what did you say you
did?' 81 reached out my hand toward
!" And you, who had swan in the
lakes in Washington and, in the Pacific
ocean, left Grace Brown there without
swimming to her aid?" f'T did"