The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-06-18
Defence PUTTING
IN EVIDENCE IN
HARRIS CASE
testimony Nearly All in and
Trial Nearing Close
STATE RESTED LAST NIGHT
Defence Shows Lack of Motive Except
Harris Right to Protect wire
From Attack

Manchester June 1S.-The prospects
are good today that the trial OF Thom-
as Harris for the murder of Oscar
Turner at PoWnal on the night OF
April II will be completed during the
present week. 1t is probable that the
evidence for the defence will all have
been submitted before the Saturday
adjournment and it may be completed
today.
From the beginning the trial has
progressed rapidly and smoothly. The
case on the part of the state had evil
IDENTIFY been carefully prepared. The
witnesses have all been on hand at
the proper time and there have been
but few delays. The larger portion
of the direct examination has been
conducted by States Attorney w. j.
Meagher and the desired evidence has
been quickly obtained. The cross ex-
aminations have been conducted by
the attorney general and have been
mostly brief
The pleasant weather has made the
trial much more comfortable for the
large number of witnesses in atten-
dance from Pownal than would other
wise have been the case There are
no accommodation at the court mousse
for witnesses and had the weather
been either wet or cold the witnesses
would have had decidedly uncomfor-
table time of it. Under the condit-
ions that have prevailed the witnesses
have been able to occupy the seats
provided for them under the trees in
front of the court house. II they
were not all well acquainted with each
other before coming to Manchester
they will be on friendly terms before
they return home.
Assistant Judge Norman l.. Maths
on was not in attendance at the morn
ing session, having gone to his home
in Glastonbury on the evening train.
During the early portion OF the
morning session today the time was
taken up by the introduction of testi
mony to show the characteristics OF
Harris and Turner Following the re
cess DR.. J. e. Cochrane was placed up
on the stand for the defence and ex
amined by Mr.. Archibald
Stephen Grady was the first witness
put on by the defence this morning.
The witness had been acquainted with
Thomas Harris for 20 years, having
lived for some years in the same
neignborhood He had employed
Thomas Harris on several different
occasions, seen him frequently at othel
times and had always considered hin
quiet, peaceable man.
Cross examined by the attorney gen
eral the witness testified that he haC
seen Thomas Harris when he wa:
drinking and his opinion of Harris was
the same drunk or sober.
James Pratt testified that he wa,
at the hotel on the night of April T.
and saw Oscar Turner there, that he
was drinking and that he left hin
there. He also testified that OscaI
Turner and Frank Caldwell had a fgh
in the pool room at Pownal about two
years ago
Robert Potter testified that ne knew
Thomas Harris for about 20 years an,
had seen him frequently He ha,
seen and talked with him when he ha,
been drink ing and had Away
thought him quiet, peaceable man.
Cross examined by Mr.. Sargent tn
witness testified that ne had talke
with Harris when he was drunk bu
did not remember seeing him wit,
others in this condition.
Michael Grady testified that he ha
known Oscar for 20 years and that h
was man weighing 100 or II
pounds, strong and rugged. He ba
occasionally seen Turner under the fl
huence of liquor and was quarrelsom
at such times. The witness ha
known Thomas Harris ever since h
had been in Pownal, had worked wit
him, had seen him intoxicated an
considered him a peaceful man at al
times.
Cross examined by the attorney ger
eral the witness testified That he worl
ed with Thomas Harris for week a