Norwich bulletin., 1913-10-25
SHOT IN FEAR OF BODILY HARM
This Defense Trial of Mrs. PernsPont Brought Out in Arguments Over Admitting Evdence-State Has But Three More New Witnesses to Put On Says Major Hull

In the half day given to the con- tinuation of the trial of Mrs. Lillian M. Perkins of Allyn's Point in the su- perior court here on Friday on the charge of manslaughter in shooting Thomas V. Coatchelly, the states case reached a point where there are but three more new witnesses to be intro duced, States Attorney Hadlal A. Hull said after court adjourned at l o'clock The trial will be resumed on Tuesday morning.
 What the line of the defense will be was indicated on Friday in arguments hy counsel over the admfssibility of certain evidence and in comments made by Judge Greene at the time of making his ruling that this could not be admitted now. It was stated by Attorney Desmond of counsel for 1ke accused that they would admit tLe shooting and it was indicated that the defense would endeavOr to prove that Mrs. Perkins shot in fear of bo1lty harm that Tom Coatchelly might GO her and those in the house with her.
 When States Attorney Hull en- deavored to have introduced as evil dence a statement which he said was meant to show that the kindly feel ing that Coatchelly had expressed towards his mother-in-law, counsel argued the admissibility of this. To a inquiry from the judge in this con-
 
 was no intention of denying that Mrs. Perkins did the shooting. On the ad- mission of the accused, the judge said, this would make the case manslaught- CT, and he presumed but did not know, that it would be theplan of the defense to show that Mrs. Perkins shot in bona fide defense of herself the in mates of the house and of the house itself and that she was acting in good faith in doing SO In rebuttal of that the statement under dispute might then be introduced by the state to show that the accused had such knowledge of the attitude of Coatchelly towards her that she ought not to presume to think she had the right to shoot. To this Attorney Desmond assented.
 Testimony Friday.
 In beginning the trial Friday morn ing Andrew Racine was recalled and he said that Mrs. Perkins told him she telephoned to the sheriff that there were men at the house in an auto and if he came in she would shoot him The sheriff said he would not give her any advice about shooting. She did not say whom she would shoot
 Dr. Frank E. Wilson of Montville told of treating the Coatchelly child and to having been called up on the telephone by the father of the child and also by Dr. Winship of New Lon don He did not think he was asked as to whether or not the child could go out of doors.
 Phoebe L. Norman the postmistress at AHyn's Point for years said she had known Thomas V. Coatchelly for a year.
 She saw CoatcheIy at 4.3o D. m. on that day She was asked as to what she heard Coatchelly say and there was objection by Mir. Desmond.
 AoT1 I,,H show the testimony should be admitted and MT. Desmond replied briefly.
 Major Hull said he has similar tes- tnony to offer but he was willing to allow Mr- Desmond time to look up authorities, and as the court was not ready to rule the matter went over for a time.
 Witness said CoatchelIy was bright l and cheerful Then she was excused and she agreed to send her son up who is the assistant postmaster.
 Showing Flight of Bullet. Civil Engineer Pitcher was recalled 1 to the stand and testified to finding an | indentation in the west wall of the l storm door porch at the Perkins home This scar was in the next panel to the one from which the splinter marked by I the bullet had come. He had measured 1 In straight line up past the scar in 1 the porch to the scar in the doorjamb 1 To point in the sitting room, a, dis 1 -ance of 1 feet 1-2 inches. From that l straight line down to the sitting room 1 floor was 4 feet 5-8 inches.
 View from the Lewis Place. He also testified that he had noticed l that from the Lewis place there was a | view of the northwest ell of the Per | 6ins house, the entire westerly side of i the house and a good distance past the l southwest corner of the house. There i was also a considerable part of the i paths through the lot towards the | house visible, but there was one part i 0bscured by brush. He was question 1 ed closely by Attorney Desmond about | what he could see of the lot and paths ] through it and also the gate through | which MT. and Mrs. Coatchelly passed. l The witness could not tell definitely 1 that he could see the gate, but if he | could not the only thing to interfere | with the view would be a. ballast wall. |
 Blood Stained Clothing. Undertaken Gager. at the request of l Major Hull. produced the clothing that l had been taken from Coatchelly's body 1 at the time of the autopsy and have i been kept in cold storage since. They | were laid in as exhibit No. 25 neg 1 igee shirt, an undershirt and a, union |