New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-21
CLIFFORD BELIEVED
SHIELDING WOMAN
Youth Silent Because OF
Her, New Theory of
Murder.
GOES FROM LUXURY
TO A BARRED CELL
Pleasant Manners Win Friends for
Suspect in Staying of
Chauffeur.

Albany. April 2O.-Malcolm CLIFFORD. Jr.,
the eighteen year-old youth indicted by
the Albany County Grand Jury for the
murder. more than year ago. Of Frank
j. Clute. a chauffeur. is spending his first
night In a prison cell He had hitherto
been allowed every luxury money could
buy in tho detention room OF the Cd Pre-
Cinct station, bat from now until after
his trial he will awake to find himself
confronted with the steel bars OF the
Albany County jail.
This boy, who is the son OF Malcolm
clifford, wealthy ice machinery manu-
facturer, OF Hudson, and q member Of one
OF the Oldest and most aristocratic fami-
lies IN this part OF the state. presents an
enigma TO the Albany County authorities.
He is tall. light-haired, good looking and
mild hammered. His every action be-
speaks gentle rearing He has nothing
about him that would suggest the posi-
blity OF numerous impulse. To talk
with him is TO be his friend.
Even District Attorney Harold Alexan-
der finds the prosecution OF the youth
task repugnant 10 him, but duty be-
cause Of damaging evidence which Mall
colin refuses TO explain At the 3D. Pre-
cinct station tho boy spent most Of his
time reading magazines and testing with
the police sergeauts, apparently uncon-
cerned about the serious charge against
him. He talked light-heartedly about any
subject until the murder Of Clute was
touched upon. Then no amount OF ques-
tioning could unlock his lips.
The Albany County authorities stin
cling 30 tho belief that Malcolm killed
Chute, with the robbery OF his automobile
as a motive. AS confirmation they point
10 his expulsion from the school at
Hoosac, his leaving home and HIS tele-
phoning 10 his father week before the
murder saying that ne was going TO shift
for himself They argue that he had re-
fused 20 go home and, running out OF
money while visiting at the Henry F.
Boardman home. in Troy, determined on
robbery TO replenish his funds.
The friends Of young Clifford scout
this theory. The wealth OF the Clifford
family and the ease with which the young
man could have got money from MS
friends make II ridiculous, they say. A
man close TO the family said to-day that
he was sure Malcolm Clifford was inno-
cent OF the Clute murder. but that he
knows a ,ot about It and won't tell. He
believes the boys reticence is due TO the
fact that a woman is involved, whose
name he seeks 20 shield.
While District Attorney Alexander VIII
not discuss the case, II is known that he
hopes TO get more light on the murder
from friends OF the accused youth IN
Troy. These friends include the son OF
Henry F. Boardman and the Boardman
chauffeur, Edward Fitzgerald.
IL is not assumed that they have actual
knowledge Of the murder, but that they
may have knowledge OF the actions OF
Young Clifford Just before the crime Fitz-
gerald is the man who gave Clute's wallet
10 the detectives in the employ of the
District Attorneys office. II contained
cards and a chauffeur's license. 1t was
found a few weeks ago hidden OUTSIDE
the bathroom window in the Boardman
home.
The youths father is preparing to en-
p,ov the best attorneys obtainable 70 de-
fend his son. John B. Stanchheld was one
who was mentioned to-day in connection
with the case.