Evening journal., 1910-10-13

Philadelphia at 7.40 and arrived in
Wilmington at S.22. The train was
on time.
The State then rested.
Defense Outlines Alibi.
Mr. Ball, in opening for the de-
fence. said that while Roberts knew
he was charged with the murder OF
the Caseys he worked within one
mile of the scene of the murder Mr.
Ball said he will show that Roberts
owned the shoes that had been pre-
sented by the State and had given
them to the officers. A week after
the murder the State officers called
at his home to get evidence against
him Then he wrote to the State Off
GERS and later offered to come here.
After the crime Roberts learned of
being suspected of the deed. His
whole course has been that of an in
nocent man, Mr.. Ball said.
Then Mr.. Ball launched into his
alibi defense.
Harry Carter, colored, of No. 221
Market street, Chester, a barber, was
the first witness called by the de-
Tense. He testified that he had
known Roberts for three years. Rob-
erts had rooms in his house on Au-
gust 49, He said he saw Roberts at
7.30 o'clock in Carter's shop. Ten
minutes later he heard Roberts go
ing upstairs. Carter said he read
of the murder the next day and that
evening he learned Roberts was ac-
cused of the crime. Witness said De-
tective Gillis and Ratledge called
upon him in reference to where Rob-
erts was on the night of the muir
der When asked if he told the Of
ficers the same story Attorney-Gen-
.eral Gray objected and the court
sustained the objection.
Edward Porter, colored, of Ches
ter, said he had known Roberts fol
twenty-one years. He said he saw
him on August 19 in Carter's barber
shop. The next day he read Of the
murder and later heard Roberts haC
been arrested. Other men with hin
at that time were chauffeurs for DIR
Griffith, of Philadelphia.
Helen Rothwell, colored, said sh'
lives in Chester, and had a room il
No. 221 Market street. On the nigh
of August 10, she said Roberts same
to her bedroom door and said, Hello
kid. are you in bed already?" Sh,
then asked him what time it was anC
he replied, at is half past or there
abouts and | am off for bed" TIT
girl said her door remained open un
til 10 o'clock and Roberts did no
come down stairs again. She salt
she saw Roberts the next morning
as he started for work. The follow
ing evening she said she learned o
Roberts being suspected of the crime
James Williams colored, Of Seconl
and Market streets, Chester, a bar
tender, said he had known Rees
Roberts for four years. He said b
saw Roberts in the hotel where he i
employed on Friday, August 10 be
tween Z and 8 o'clock. He heard tn
report next day that Roberts wa
/ suspected of the Casey murder, an
remarked that Roberts could not hav
been in Delaware because he was
the hotel the night before. Witnes
said that on the afternoon of the da
after the murder Roberts was in th
hotel talking about the murder. II
made a statement to Detectives Gi
lis and Ratledge on September
and signed 1t.
Roberts Denies His Guilt.
Mr.. Ball then called Roberts to th
stand and under oath Roberts d.
clared that he did not murder Robe
Casey, Jr. and his wife at Claymon
He said he had been in the Case
store. but never in the house. an
never saw the club in evidence unit
it was exhibited in court. Roberl
I admitted that he was at Claymont G
Thursday afternoon. August Is. +
told his story coolly and calmly an
stood the ordeal Of cross-examinatio
without a fal er Roberts, in his test
mony, said he came to ClaymOnt &
August IS to see his sister. He d
not see her so he went to Marcl
Hook and then to Chester. He sa
rain fell the next day and he wei
to bed the night of the murder at T.;
o'clock
He told when he learned that
was suspected of the crime of goir
20 John A. Poulson, an attorney
Media to ask him if he should con
to Delaware for the purpose of pro
ing his innocence. Later he wrote
letter TO De ective James p Ratledg
asking the officer to go to his home
0ANoAGA anu AtAh AIE nAaNANA ONN4f
b When the detectives called and as
ed for his working shoes, he ga
, them one When they departed,
and his wife went to a moving pic u
, show. Returning, he was arreste
, The signed statement, which vi
/, practically the same as his testimon
was admitted by him TO be correC
= and he admitted that the shoes G
= fered in evidence were his shoes.
/. Robert said that on August 19
! was at home because he could n
= work. as it rained. He had been in Il
= saloon and later the Carter barb
! shop In Chester. After going upstai
5 at 730 o'clock he said he did n
, leave the house until the next NOR
ing He denied he was the man SCI
e at the window of the Baldwin res
5 dence at Claymont He denied
. walked through the corn fields or HI
ever seen the wild cherry tree.
Admits Casey Acquaintance,
Roberts testified he knew the Case
for fifteen years and never had al
. trouble with them. Regarding 4
murder he said he first learned tn
/ he was suspected the next day aft
L il occurred. He testified that af
; he learned that he was suspect
& he continued to work for Beyler, 4
plumber, and worked one day at Ma
Gus Hood nearby.
Roberts next told of hearing tn
S the detectives had been to his hou
and he identified the letter he h
a written to Mr.. Ratledge asking I
p latter to go and see him again abo
/ the case.
o Mr.. Ball read the letter. which h
been printed. Asked what he did
A. .r.n..sn.r. Ii nr..naf Aanarllcf