Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-29
EVIDENCE IN CHUTE CASE ALL IN
Argum- to be Made Today in Trial of Mystic ManF1is
 Defense is General Denial of OHenses Alleged Against
 Him by Small Glls-Theodore Cofey Pleads Guilty to
 Chicken Stealing in Waterford.

The trial of the case of the state against Richard B. Chute of Mystic on the charge of indecent actions with female children in Mystic occupied practically all of the time of the SUI perior court here on Tuesday and such good progress was made that the evi- dence both for the prosecution and the defense, was all concluded and the case is ready for the argument this morning.
 MT. Chute, who has been a black smith in the village and has also kept 8 junk shop, is about TO years old After the jury had been selected for the trial this morning, he was called to the bar of the court and new in formation in the case was read to him, containing eight counts. He pleaded not guilty. He has been out on bond pending the trial. His attorneys are States Attorney Hull is assisted in the prosecution of the case by Attor- ney Hewitt of the town court of Ston- ington.
 Before the trial began the states attorney had all minors excluded from the court room, and at the request of Attorney Geary all the witnesses for the state were excluded from the court room except when testifying.
 There are about 25 children and court session. The children are in charge of a trained nurse and a state policeman.
 Testimony Begun.
 Photographs of the scene of the all legged trouble were explained by Frank L. Hale as the first witness, and Ed ward E. Bucklin civil engineer told of measurements of the locality he had taken. William Foley, a police man from Mystic. told of assisting the photographer and the civil engi- neer.
 Girls Testify.
 Adeline Rathbun, 12, told of going to the junk shop kept by the accused. She was ashamed to tell in detail what happened but offered to write about it. which she did. Attorney Geary ob- jected to the written testimony and the girl then told in response to Att torney HulPs questions about the all legged offenses.
 Afternoon Session.
 After the recess at 1 o'clock, Rose Beauehamp, Helen Roscoe. Leah Bar racloUgh and Anna Wierch were other girl witnesses against the accused. The prosecution rested at BIO.
 The Accused on the Stand.
 The defense was begun by placing the accused on the stand. He testified that he had been a resident of New London, Groton, Stonington, Green port. R. l.. and Mystic for the last 30 years. He denied that there was ever any wrong UoiHS belWeeh nllA anu any of the girls. He had known the Rathbun girl for about f years he thought. He had known Helen Roscoe only recently. He used to let groups of the boys and girls go upstairs over the junk shop separately to change their clothes when they were going in bathing. He went up afterwards to mop up the floor. but never with any of the girls. He denied absolutely all that the girl witnesses had testified to as to any liberties he had taken with them and he told of having warned Leah Barraclough never to come to the shop again after one cer- tain immodest action on her part. He had at various times given the girls small amounts of money for candy.
 On cross examination States Attor- ney Hull tried to get the witness to ex-