Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-13
Charged With Numbering His Wife at
! Their Home in coIunnbia June 7th--
Hearing Bofors Justice Clarke.

William Burrows Roberts, whose jail
sentence expired Sunday at Brooklyn.
was arrested by Sheriff William 3.
Sprague of Tolland county Monday
morning and brought to Columbia in
/ an automobile and arraigned before
Justice of the Peace jim. Clarke on the
charge of killing his wife. Augusta
Roberts, aged 40, on Monday evening,
June 7th, at their home in the Wells
wood district of the town where the
Roberts had lived for the past ter
years
Coroner r. H. Fisk of Stafford ac-
eompanied Sheriff Sprague to repre-
sent the states attorney. Yeomans'
hall was packed with spectators at II
O'Clock. the hour set for the hearing,
and there was more excitement than
the town has known in years, as this
is the first instance within the memory
OF the oldest inhabitant that a citizen
was ,&rraigDed on the charge of muir
DER
Maintains Innocence.
Roberts said that he was aware of
the fact that his situation was a pre-
carious one but was positive OF ulti-
Hiately proving his innocence. Before
the trial Roberts did not seem greatly
perturbed, but he showed signs of agi-
tation and a trifie worried and notice.
ABLY nervous as each succeeding wits
ness gave his testimony.
At lilo o'clock the hearing COM
menced. with Justice Of the Peace jos
seph N. Clarke of Columbia on the
bench. Roberts stood beside his coun-
sell ex-Attorney General William A.
King, of this city, at Ills, and listened
to the complaint sworn to by William
Fl. Kneeland, grand juror, of Columbia
as read by Coroner Fisk. ~
Stone Ara Mfa.n.~ IA
It was charged that on June 18th.
1908. William Burrows Roberts threw
stone with malicious intent and mall
ice aforethought, striking his wife on
the head back of the left ear, causing
a wound from which she died after an
hours time elapsed. Roberts entered a
plea of not guilty.
Leslie w. HiIPa Testimony VA
Leslie William Hill, the 13 wear old
son Of Otis Hill of the Wellswood dis
trlct. and neighbor of the accused,
Tas the first witness called by the
state. He testified that on the 7th Of
June at 8 o'clock in the evening he was
in his room upstairs looking out Of the
window. Saw Roberts drive into the
driveway and Mrs. Roberts was on the
Yeranda and said you took Charles
fuize away today" Roberts answering,
i did not see Fuize today, and il Is
none of your business If did take him
away" Roberts jumped out of the
wagon and then the boy heard Mrs.
Roberts cry Don't. pop, don't" The
boy said he went out and saw Mrs.
Roberts body lying at the foot of the
driveway near the mail box with her
hands folded on her left side. Witness
then went into the house and told his
parents and his father went out and
carried Mrs Roberts into the house. |
1T was brought out on cross exarni- |
nation that witness father had shown
him paper twice since on which was
written the date Of Mrs. Roberts death |
and the position where the body lay.
Otis Hill on the Stand.
Otis Hill, father of the first. witness.
testified that he was at work in the
garden His wife sent for him and
ne went. over; to the mail box and
found Mrs. Roberts there with herihus |
band beside her. holding her head up.
He with his wife and son carried her |
into the Roberts home. Witness said
he felt Of her pulse and it was still
beating. Roberts followed the party
into the house and walked about |
through the rooms talking. Mrs. Hill
tried to revive Mrs. Roberts but could I
not do SO. Roberts said he was the |
murderer and that they could put a |
rope about his neck. Roberts went i1itol
another room and got double barreled
shotgun Witness went after him and
took it away from him. Roberts had |
been drinking but appeared to know |
what he was about.
Brother-in-Law Thaw's Lawyer.
Said that he would have to stand |
trial for what he had done. Claimed |
that his people had plenty of money |
and would not see him hang. His |
brother-i Flaw. Ely. was a great law
yer and stood back of Thaw in his |
trial.
Witness said that Roberts made the |
statement that he expected to be ar /
rested in the morning and that he |
could have the farm. Roberts told him |
that his wife had tried to unhitch the |
horse and that he snapped at her and |
ne told her to get away and picked up |
a handful of gravel but aid not tell the |