Norwich bulletin., 1909-01-21
VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY
IN DR.. DIMoN's CASE.
Started in the Superior Court-May
Burns Tells of Her Experience.

When the criminal superior court
resumed on Wednesday morning the
jury was sent out to continue their de-
liberation in the case against DR..
Dimon. At IL o'clock they returned
with the statement that they could
not agree. Judge Wheeler sent them
back and told them they must reach a
verdict. At 1915 they returned, and
through Foreman Gilbert l. Hewitt a
verdict-of rot guilty was given, and /
was accepted. 1t is stated that the
jury stood nine to three for acquittal
on the first ballot.
DR.. Dimon was manifestly affected
by the verdict. HE first FASTENED to
hug and kiss his wife, after which he
thanked his lawyers and received the
congratulations Of his friends, after
which he with his law yers left for New
London. The verdict was not great
surprise in the court room.
For failing to obey summons Hen
ry Main of Ledyard was presented by
Deputy Sheriff Draper. He claimed
that he was told that the case might
not come up for trial on the day set,
and or that reason did not apeare in
court. He was given some good adj
vice by Judge Wheeler about obeying
a summons.
Burns Trial Started.
A jury was selected for the trial of
HUI stated that he had made out a
new information against the accused,
charging the woman with statutory
rape January 10 and rs in 1907 At
torneys Stoddard and Goodhart ~ New
Haven, who appear for the accused,
asked to have the case continued unil
the May term, as they had not had
time to consider the new complaint.
This was the cause of an argument,
and the states attorney said he would
withdraw the new information and try
the case on the old one. Judge Wheel
er denied tina motion to postpone and
ordered the case to proceed.
The selection of jury brought four
challenges from the defendants law
yers, and owing to deafness George
Geer was excused for the term. At
torney Goodhart spoke to the juror5
relative to any prejudice to a keeper Of
a house of Ill repute, and asked such
to stand up. Judge Wheeler called a
halt at that and informed the attorney
that the court would attend to that.
The accused was not put to plea
tagain, having pleaded not guilty last
week. 4 The complaint was read to the
jury and charges the woman with stat
utory rape in New London in January,
1907, by enticing May Burns a girl
aged Is, to her house, with the aid
of John McNulty of New Haven. The
accused was in the court room with
her sister, they having lived here at
one time. There were many women in
the court room, well dressed and at
tentive to the testimony, while the
benches and chairs were all filed.
The first witness called by States
Attorney Hull was May Burns, who Is
II. and made a good appearance on
the stand. Her parents were in the
court room with her and the mother
was much affected during the after
noon. She is the daughter of Michael
and Catherine Burns of New Haven,
and said she was born in Danburv.
She tol dof working in the clock shop
and stated that she met McNulty one
night in January. 1907 She releated
about his arranging for her to go to
New London to have good employment
and Of their going. She stated that
they were met by man named Nash
in New London who escotted them to
the Burns house. She was caressed and
petted by Miss Burns and put to bed
She was given new house clothes, such
as was worn there and named Flor
ence Harris. Miss Burns told her she
looked like another girl who had come
from New Haven.
The girl told of being ravished in
the house and Of being treated by a
doctor for her injuries. She said Miss
Burns did nothing for her. She relat-
ed her sad story to the jury Upon
cross examination she denied having
ever gone by the name Of Florence
Stetson. She told Of living in Vine
street, New Haven, for ten years. She
knew Florence Dewey and went with
her some. She did not know the girl
was not virtuous. She also knew Stella
Crowell. She had no male acquaint-
ances and denied having stayed out
night after night until the hours of
one or two and being with men. She
told of working in the clock shor two
or three weeks after New Years, 1907.
Shortly before leaving she met Nc
Nulty. She denied having trouble with
her people.
The testimony was long drawn out
because of the many Interruptions and
objections by counsel. The attorneys
for the defense objected to nearly all
the questions put by the state, but
in most cases the objections were de-
MED.
The girl is good looking and answers
in gentle voice and gives evidence of
good bringing up. At one point Attor-
ney Go, dhdrt in cross examination
asked her a question and as she replied
she started beg your pardon, but"
you needn't do it." chimed in At
torney Goodhsrt, whereupon Judge
Wheeler cautioned the attorney that
she need not be denied the privilege of
being polite
Attorney Goodhart was told by Judge
Wheeler several times that he was
pursuing other than the proper course,
Judge Wheeler at one time replying 20
his question stated that he could
hardly say he was addressing the
court properly.
Court was adjourned at 4.30 o'clock
until 1920 o'clock this morning.