The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-10-29
RICHARDS PUT ON
TRIAL FOR DEATH
OF FIELD
Alleged Slayer Comes to Court
in Automobile
lG lit AT BELLOWS FALLS
Witnesses Testify in Relation to
Quarrel That it is Claimed Had
Fatal Results.

NeWtane., Oct. 2S.-Almon NJ. Rlch-
ards of Bellows Falls, charged with
murder in causing the death of Geo.
l.. Field of Bellows Falls during an
alleged alteration, last August, who
has enjoyed the unusual privilege of
being out on bail since his prelimi-
nary hearing after being charged
with the crime. faced the jury which
has been chosen 10 decide his fate in
County court here, just before noon
today He arrived in Newfane by
automobile last night and was on
hand before the opening of court this
morning.
Two hours and half this morning
were occupied in drawing the jury.
States Attorney A. V. d. Piper, who
is conducting the case for the state
with Attorney General h. f. Brown
of Burlington present. made a brief
statement of the states case. The in
dictment was then read to Richards
and Judge Miles granted the request
of the states attorney for recess
until o'clock to give him opportuni-
ty to confer with witnesses.
Russell c. Bristol, Bellows Falls
photographer, testified to pictures he
had taken and to measurements. He
was the first witness. George Il. Law
renee, who boarded at the Field res
taurant said he heard Mr. Field call
TO Richards as the latter passed by,
and ask him why he had raised the
rent of the restaurant from $3.50 to
SO a week.
During the quarrel which followed
Lawrence said he heard Richards
call Field a liar. Lawrence said he
stepped into the dining room from
the kitchen. and that Mrs Field
stood near a screen door and that
| Richards was on the sidewalk.
Mrs Field. according to Lawrence.
| told Richards that he could not fire
| them out" as their rent was paid in
advance and Richards replied I'll
fire YOU our bodily" The witness
| said Richards yanked open the
screen door, which Mrs. Field had
locked and walked into the room.
Richards grabbed Field by the left
| arm. Lawrence testified. swung him
around striking him on the side of
| the head as he did so Field fell and
| struck his head on a low shelf.
Mrs. Field then stepped in front of
Richards and the latter grabbed her
by the hair and hit her twice in the
eye and bent her down until her
| head touched the floor. according TO
| the witness. Lawrence said he grab
bed a chair and threatened TO brain
Richards if he did not Stop. The
witness said Field got up and Rich
ards knocked him down again. lie
testified that Richards threatened
| him if he followed him to the street.
| and OF Richards shouting to Mrs.
| Field that he was willing TO settle"
besides making further threats to
| Mrs. Field as TO what he would do
to her if she came out of the restau-
rant.
The witness told of finding Field
in the kitchen of the restaurant sun
| day morning. August 10. several
hours after the alleged assault. and
&C calling a physician at the request
OF Mrs. Field lie said DIR. Blodgett
did not arrive until four hours later.
after a second call had been sent by
| the witness.
George McAdam, who was on the
other side of the street and who
claimed that he saw from that posi-
ton a part OF the disturbance. zorro
borated the testimony OF Lawrence
regarding the events that started the
| assault.