Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-06
That Killed Heath, Owing 10
the insufficient Space
To Aim Fatal Bullet, Entering
The Body as Il Did.
Interesting Direct Testimony and
Sharp examinations.


to show that it was impossible for Mrs.
Florence Dodge to have fired the shot
which killed William Heath, for whose
murder she is being tried. was made
by the defence today. Two witnesses
were called for this purpose. DR.. John
NJ. Allen of St Johnsbury and L. H.
Hunter of Hanover, n. H. Both had
made measurements of the bed room
where Heath's body was found and
this evidence was designed to show
that there was not sufficient space for
person to have aimed the revolver at
the angle at which the bullet entered
the body, if as the state has contend
ed Heath was kneeling at the time,
painting the Dashboard of the room.
Guldhall VT, May 5.-The prosecu-
ton in the case of Mrs. Florence M.
Dodge of Lunenburg, who is on trial
for the murder, on Sept. II last, of
William A. Heath. of Dalton, n. H.,
rested at 1924 A. NJ, today, after de-
monstration had been made with a liv-
ing model in front of the jury for the
purpose of showing that Heath could
not have committed suicide. The de-
monstration was made by DIR. B. H.
Stone of Burlington, medical expert,
upon Samuel Richardson, man who
is of about the same size and build as
was the victim of the mysterious
shooting in Mrs. Dodges home.
Just previous to the demonstration,
Mrs. w. A. Heath, the widow, was
called for the purpose of testifying that
her husband was right handed. When
Dr. Stone and Mr.. Richardson stood
before the jury the doctor indicated
a point on Richardson's body. about
four inches below the left axillary
space. which. he said, was the position
of the bullet wound on Heaths body.
Then placing a pistol in the hand of
Richardson. DIR. Stone, by measure
ments made in the presence of court
and jury, showed that when the pistol
was held in the left hand and directing
it at the angle at which the bullet en-
terA Heath's body, the living model,
aided by the doctor, was able to keep
the muzzle of the weapon y inches
distant from the body, but without the
assistance of the doctor he could keep
it less than 10 inches from the body.
Elevating the weapon at an angle of
between 90 and 26 degrees, it was de-
monstrated that the pistol must be
about Is inches from the body and Y
inches from the coatsleeve.
When the pistol was placed in the
right hand, Richardson, with the as
sistance of DR.. Stone. could barely di
rect it towards the angle at which, it
is claimed. the weapon must have been
held when Heath was shot, and the
muzzle was close to the body. No
demonstration was made by the sub
ject without DR.. Stones assistance,
when the PISTOL was held in the right
hand.
The painters frock. worn by Heath
when he was shot, was shown to the
jury and they were asked to look par
ticularly at the end of the sleeve to
see If there were any marks made by
pistol held only an inch and a half
away when it was discharged.
Testimony to the effect that Heath S
hands were stained with paint and
varnish and that there was a substance
resembling putty under his fingernails
when he was shot was given by George
A. Baleh, the undertaken who prepared
the victims body for burial
w. +. Balch who made the casts of
room in which Heath was shot, was re-
called. and testified that in his opinion
based upon the appearance of these
| fluctuations, the shots were fired from
| the hall.
| The prosecutions testimony was
closed with the recall of II. L. Thomp-
son of the state laboratory at Rurling-
| ton who told of some experiments he
| had performed since testifying earlier
in the week. These experiments were
the result of question asked during
his cross examination by Attorney
Howe few days ago, relative to the
| difference in powder stains made by {
pistol at different angles. Today Mr.
| Thompson produced IL targets mad,
of white cotton, at which he had dis.
charged a revolver at varying angles
| The various exhibits in the case wer,
then shown to the jury who asked es
pecially for the bullet which is sait
to have penetrated Heath's heart.
1t was then that the prosecution
rested its case at 1924 A. M.
In opening for the defence. Attorne
Howe spoke briefly saying that tn
defence would endeavor to show tina
1t was not possible for Heath to hay
/ been shot in the marner claimed h
the prosecution and to support thi
4 CONTINUED iii Page Two.)