The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-11-17
States Attorney Gleason
Tried to Prove Manslaugh-
terby Neglectful Driving
IN RABIDOU CASE
OF AUTO FATALITY
Miss Plastridge, a Passenger
in Car, Was on
Stand

: Introduction Of evidencewas complete,
this morning in the case of State VS.
j. p Rabidou of Northfeld, charged will
| manslaughter in the death of Carl n
French by automobile, the trial of whicl
commenced week ago yesterday il
county court, and States Attorney FREQ
e. Gleason commenced the opening argu
ment at $3.50 o'clock. The case will un
doubtedly be given to the jury this aft
ernoon.
| Preparatory to giving review of the
levidence, the states attorney touched
upon the fact that the case was unusual
and briefly defined manslaughter as he
interpreted the law. Manslaughter
stated the prosecuting officer, might be
the result of an unlawful killing of a
person as the result Of an ARRAY due to
sudden passions or might follow the
death of a person as the result of an
unlawful act, and he placed the present
case in the last classification. The jury
was informed that lawful act, negli-
gently performed. is unlawful according
to the statutes and when performed
through dangerous agencies.
| The Vermont statutes provide that if
the speed limit for automobiles is ex-
ceeded, then the person driving the vehi.
Gle is, on the face of it, driving negli.
gently.
Following States Attorney Gleason's
argument. j, Ward Carver of Barre
spoke in behalf of the respondent He
said that the evidence tended to show
that Rabidou was not driving his auto.
mobile at reckless speed when the
collision occurred. and that the speed of
the car had been slaekened somewhat by
reason OF the fact that the driver slowed
down for a team just before coming
upon the two pedestrians. He said that
the trip was not JOY ride, but that
Rabidon was out on business. He also
said that it must be proven beyond a
doubt that the ear was being driven at a
reckless speed, and he maintained that
had not been proven.
Attorney Caryer concluded at ll:45, |
and court took recess until this after
noon, when Frank Plumley of Mortified |
took up the case of the defense. He will
be followed BY Attorney.G General II. G.. I
Barber Of Brattleboro, who will close the
case for the state.
Final Testimony Presented.
James French. brother of the man
killed when they were struck by the auto
mobile driven by Mr.. Rabidou on April
"a. and who escaped with a fractured leg
and bruises. was recalled to the stand
this morning for the purpose Of giving
bis opinion as TO the rate of speed they
we're walking at the time they were
struck. He ventured the opinion that
hey were covering ground at the rate Of
,bout two miles an hour.
Miss Mary Plastridge. who was on the
,tand for over an hour yesterday after
ioon. also testified for few minutes
his morning She told Yesterday of go
ng TO Montpelier from Northfeld TO visit
Ter friend. Miss Beatrice Hclton. for the ,
weekend on April "a and Of. later in the .
vening. meeting Mr.. Rabidou and Harry /,
lark and Arthur Ellis in the Ellis Office. :,
Unexpectedly. The girls were invited to :
AXE a ride to Barre and accepted lesv. /,
ng for Miss Holton's rooms 20 obtain :,
FARMER wraps. She told Of going 10 the '
tate House grounds and Of there getting y
lto the Rshidou car. then occupied by
fr. Rabidou and Mr.. Park. She said u
bat near the Green Mount cemetery she
hanged seats with Mr. Park. getting in
be front seat with Mr.. Rabidou.
They went as far a. the three mile p
ridge and turned around and started
" Montpelier. As they arrived near
!. T..4..a Ar..-..,..t "a. g.. :. -. a.
,rinkle and the auto was driven into b.
= Taylor street bridge where the top j
as raised m
They then proceeded mp winooski ave Il
ie. Rcriin street and River street IN the a.
rection ~ barre The machine was IL
-iVen slowly. but when the Consolidated di
ghtiua plant was reached AZ TIE Pioneer "
y speed was increased. She believed n
y hirhcsf sreed attained that evening n
- between - aud . miles an hour in
Her storv n the accident was much hs
n same as related bv the respondent. In
be- prrceded her on the stand. and she tr
reed wifh The respondent that after 10
ssing the team The automobile strurk mi
o mrn almost Instantly When the ~
schine starprf near the southeriv end %
the carharn. shs and Miss Holton
Rhted and walked ~ the raad toward 60
.rrs. rhe9 waited there briefly and th
"a started 81 wak hnet tsward the -
tomoi-is ehaured their minds ang ~
~ toward Barrs - far as q cross l.r
u. CROSSED = hrides nni rsturusd e. ~,
lnfT.iier ~ thf other side ~ ths river ~
= fif uaf 80 fhs tuo men arnir fiaf -.
- isti taiksf = iih Mr. Hsh'aou si.ont
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