New Britain herald., 1914-07-14
SECOND TRIAL FOR
 MRS. WAKEFIELD Woman Charged With Murder Of
 Her Husband at Cheshire. FOUND GUILTY LAST ocToBER

FOUND GUILTY LAST 0CTOBER James Plew, Who Actually shot Her
 Spouse Paid Death Penalty for the
 CrimeJury Being Selected From
 Panel of Efghty-four Talesmen.
 New Haven. July 14.-Bessie J. Wakefield was placed on trial for second time today. under an indict- in causing the death of her husband, William O. Wakefield, at Cheshire, on June 23, 1918. The woman was found guilty of the murder on Octo- Der 31, and sentenced to be hanged on March 4 last but upon an appeal the execution was stayed and the su- preme court of errors grantedHa new trial on an error. James Plew, who actually shot, stabbed and finally choked Wakefield to death, was con- victed of murder in a separate trial and was sentenced to die upon the same date and he paid the penalty for the crime. Mrs. Wakefield and Plew had been close friends.
 Was Master Mind.
 The state alleged in the first trial of Mrs. Wakefield that the woman was the master mind in the plot which brought about Wakefield's death. She obtained a new trial chiefly upon the contention that evil dence was admitted which had to do with Plew's acts.
 Judge Joel Reed presides over the second trial. A. panel of eighty-four talesmen had been summoned from which it was expected to pick a jury. Court was opened at 9:3O by High Sheriff Philip J. Hugo. Mrs. Wake field had been brought down from the county jaif and for time stayed in an ante-room. She appeared in excellent health, was neatly dressed and composed.
 .s Spectators Not Admitted. s
 For the time being spectators were not admitted to the court room, as the large number of men summoned in for jury duty needed all the seats available. The larger number were on hand when Judge Reed took his seat. Mrs. Wakefield is represented by Thomas J. Devine Of Waterbury, who has been her counsel since short ly after her arrest, and he is assisted by c. w. Bauby. The states case will again be presented by States Att torney Alling and his assistant, Wal ter Pickett G
 Most of the talesmen were on hand when the clerk called the roll after the court was opened. Others arrived later. While expectation was that jury would be selected during the day, court officers were inclined to speculate on the necessity of going out after more talesmen owing to the wide publicity given the case by the previous trial.
 Confer With Clients.
 Tkas examination of talesmen was delayed. at one time during the morn ing while Mr. Devine and MT. Bauby had a conference with Mrs. Wake field. The nature of the converse tion was not revealed, but after the noon recess a report was spread that there was a likelihood that the trial might be a short o1e. It has Previously been denied that there v&s q probability of Mrs. Wakefield being willing to plead to a charge of murder in the secohd degree which would carry life sentence. The state IS ready to proceed with the trial under the indictment.
 After the conference the exanina- tio1saof talesmen was resumed ano wher recess was taken two men had been accepted.
 N. sk Accused in Court. when, the talesmen's names <, were cafIeds Mrs. Wakeaeld was given a seat fn the court room. She wore a white waist and black tailored skirt which was in contrast with her dress worn at the previous trial Fl CT hair also. showed that it had been ar ranged with care. There were seven- sty-two talesmen in the keats after the list had been revised. some of those summoned having been excused. Jacob D. Hi1dreth of this city and Lora F. Beach of Wallingford, called, were at once excused from serving on the jury az both had opinions.
 As fast as seats were vacated in the court room they were taken by spec- tators who were admitted by the de- putty at the door. A Mrs. Maynard of Middletown, who had interested her. self in a. defense fund for Mrs. Wakefield, was for a time the only woman spectator in the room.
 Two Jurors Seated.
 Charles F. Bartholomew of Wal lingford, aged 65, and Joseph Clark of Ansonia were the two jurors who were seated. Up till noon the state had excused five talesmen, the de- fense five and the court three. Chaun- cey Tucker of Beacon Falls who knew Mrs. Wakefield was among those ex- cused.
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