The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-10-16
HIS PECULIAR ACTIONS
REC0UNTED TODAY
As a Young Man He Delight
ed To Fashion Rag Dolls In
Company With Little Girls
and Did Not Associate
With Boys

That Ray Mullen, who il charged
with the murder Of Fred Batchelder in
Barre on March 16, 1906, by admins.
tering arsenic, is moral peryert and
degenerate was the point of the young
mans defense, which opened in Wash
ington county court today. The evidence
to substantiate this claim comedies
quite completely with the testimony Of
the prosecutions witnesses from the
state insane asylum at Waterbury,
where Mullen was placed for observa-
tion, that Mullen is not safe man to
be at large.
The defense put on witnesses to show
that it was the habit of Mullen in rouge
and powdered face to attend dances at
his former home in Canada and to be
apparently oblivious to the ridicule of
his companions. 1t was furthermore
stated that at the age OF rs che is
rs now Mullen was pleased to asso-
ciate with little girls and join with them
in making rag dolls; that he had no
inclination TO manly sports and that he
refused to associate with young men;
that when with, young men his indecent
and perverted advances were received
with blows; that his father, Barney
Mullen, had considered his son to be
not just right, and that on one occasion
he took the necessary steps TO have
him confined in an asylum, even going
so far as to have commitment papers
made out, although they were not used.
His father testified that he did not think
Ray was safe person to be at large,
and ought to be in am asylum.
No Attempt to Refute Charge
No evidence was introduced to refilte
fhe claim of the state that Fred Batch
elder died from poison received from
the hand of Mullen, but the whole eyi.
denee tended toward the mental ire
sponsibility of the respondent. The
father, a sister and one brother OF the
prisoner stated that they wolud not
think of taking Ray into their home
because of his condition. There seems
TO be desire to hasten through the
case, and it is likely that DIR. s. w.
Mitchell of Boston, an insanity expert
for the defense win be permitted Ia
tell his views without the formality of
questions
Myron Greene OF Franklin testified
today that he knew the grandfather and
most of the ten uncles ofNhe prisoner;
that two of the mcles. James and vii
liam. became insane; that great aunt.
Bridget O'kane, was insane. lie said
that be had known the Mullen family
for years; one of the boys, Heber. next
older than Ray, had lived an exemplary
life, when he suddenly became insane
and died within fow weeks. Before
death Hebef had delusions, one Of which
was that lie had discovered a Qold mine
in his fathers cellar: Ray had delighted
in rouge, powder and ribbons; Ray wore
a girls tam trimmed with ribbons; once
he bleachcd his hair; on two separate
occasions Rays father, Barney, lost
by fire OF peculiar origin; at
one Of them he saw Ray, who was act
ing strangely
G. A. Freary Of Pidgeon Hill, st. Ar.
mand p. g., testified how he had been
called to The Mullen house one time
when Ray was having fit.
Fred Murray Of Burlington told Of
knowing the respondent when he was
living in Burlington; had called on him /
at the Howard Relief building and the
Walker lodge; he told how eifeminate
Mullen was and how he used to stand
ia front Of the mirror and admire him
self; how he had unusual wearing an
parel, such as long stockings, which he /
delighted to wear.
Barney Mullen told of the early life |
Of his son, how he never liked to in. |
diilge In the sports of other boys, pre-.
ferring rather to make rag dolls with |
little girls, even when he had reached /
the age Of IS years.
Last Witnesses for Prosecution.
The state rested yesterday afternoon
In putting in evidence. Following the
cross examination Of DR. b. II. Stone
of the state laboratory at Burlington. /
which brought out no additional facts. |
DR.. w. l.. lFasson Of the state hospital |
for the insane al Waterbury was called. I
DR.. Wasson has been observing MuIlen's (
actions during The FIVE months be has
been confined there for observation. He /
testified that Mullen has capacity to
Snow right from wrong, but that IN
his actions at the hospital he has not I
shown ability to restrain himself The /
witness considered Mullen dangerous
nan TO be at large
Dir. w. j. Upton, also Of the asylum
staff, testified that Mullen might have