Evening star., 1915-02-10
EVIDENCE FOR DEFENSE
IN HUTCH|NS WILL CASE
a. s. worthington Begins Testimony
Following Opening Address by
Caveatee's Counsel.

Asserting the fact that in 1911 Lee
Hutchins. Walter Hutchins and Will
liam J. Dante all opposed Rose X.
Hutchins' legal efforts to have her hus-
pand, tho late Stilson Hutchins. de-
clared non compus mentis. and that
Mr. Hutchins died without ever having
been legally adjudged a lunatic, though
proceedings had been instituted with
this point IN view. r. Ross Perry closed
.ne opening Of the case for the caveatee
IN the effort of Lee Hutchins to have
the last will OF his father declared void
On the grounds of mental incompetence
ana undue influence
Mr. Perry had. prior to closing his
adoress to the jury, stated that the de-
.ense intended to establish the fac,
.1t sne lee Hutchfns had evinced no dis
satis1action with the last will of his
father until Walter had declined to en-
COW Mr.. Dante with similar powers
neio oy the legal executors of the will
AS result of a quarrel which arose
os1 e, luis point the estrangement of the
ewo oIotners resulted In the presen,
enort to break the last will. Yester.
oay Mr. Perry stated that the defense
regarded Mr.. Dante as the real cave.
ator in the case.
Announces His Purpose.
Mr.. Perry announced his intention o,
proving, by testimony ELECTED by coun.
sci for Lee Hutchins. the perfect com.
potency of Stilson Hutchins up t,
1911" He pointed out the irony il
what he asserts to be the assumption
OF the caveator. namely, that Waite,
Hutchins procured by undue influence
the will of 1910. to the obvious advan
tage OF his enemy. Mrs. Rose Keelins
Hutchfns. This statement was imme
dlately objected to by counsel for tn,
caveator, and, following a ruling b,
Justice Anderson in favor of the OBJ
lection. 1t was stricken from tn,
records.
1t was then that Mr.. Perry, referrin,
70 the persistent objections of counse
Tor the caveators to the introduction o
any statement on his part which resem
oied an argument. stated with. q smil
that the gentleman (for the pla mt. =,
were as coy and as alarmed as a prett,
young girl of sixteen when her frs
suleof comes around Mr.. Hogan an,
MS associates gracefully denied any un
due alarm.
Mr.. Perry's address this morning wa
principally concerned with the recall
ing OF certain facts already in evidenc
upon which. by the testimony of tn
his intention of throwing a new light
He stated that 1t was his intention t
directly refute certain statements mad
by William j. Dante in his testimony
As Mr.. Perry looked upon it. according t.
his words to the jury, Dante had bee
working under a misconception G
the instances referred to)-if n
worse"
A. s. Worthington a Witness.
Following the conclusion of Mr.. Per
ry's address A. s. Worthington tool
the stand as the first witness for tn,
defense. His testimony dealt with th'
pleasant and at times intimate rela
tions which he stated existed betweeI
himself and Stilson Hutchins from 1886
He stated that he was counsel in case
for and against Mr.. Hutchins during
this time. but that he himself nevel
had any evidence from Mr.. Hutchins o.
anything save friendship.
1t was stated by counsel that the di
rect examination Of Mr.. Worthingtor
would probably continue Throughout
the afternoon session. and that tn,
cross by counsel for tn,
caveators would not be entered upoI
until tomorrow morning