Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-10
FORMAL MURDER
CHARGE BROUGHT
AGAINST DUNCAN
Rutland Wife Shooter Will Plead
Insanity, 1t Is Said-Grand
Jury Sits in September.

To-day His case will he taken before
the grand Jury in September. Duncan
will be defended by Attorney Joseph
G. Jones of this city. Temporary in
sanity will probably be the defense.
While managing the Holland house
here Duncan has been n street car con
ductor part of the time and he was well
liked by his associates.
DR.. Il. II. Stone of the state labora-
tory of hygiene at burlington and an
assistant performed an autopsy on the
woman's body to-day.
The shooting of Mrs. Duncan occur
red at the home of Edward Dczero, LAG
Library avenue whose wife is Mrs.
Duncan's niece, and Duncan fired four
shots at his wife from pointblank
range, one taking effect in the abdo-
mon near the left groin and the others
going wild. 1t is said Duncan had been
drinking.
Duncan and his wife had some trou-
BILE at the Holland house week ago.
according to the statement of wit
nesses, caused by Duncans jealousy,
and the man tried to choke her. allog-
ing misconduct and lcvity. He was re-
strained from doing her an injury at
that time. but turned her out of the
hotel in violent fit of anger.
Mrs. Duncan Immediately went to the
home of her niece and had been living
there since Saturday night Duncan
purchased new 80 calibre revolver
from one of the local sporting goods
stores. telling the clerk he was going
on a trip and would need the pistol for
defense.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dczero and Mrs. Dun
can had been sitting on the vcranda
for most of the evening and were pre-
pairing to retire at 1890 when Duncan
made his appearance. He walked into
the house without a word. but appeared
to be in an amiable frame of mind.
The four people retired to the kitchen
where they talked for 90 minutes.
Mrs. Dezero was sitting in one cor
ner of the room. her husband in an
other and Mrs. Duncan between them
in a rocking chair on n line from n
bedroom door to the rear entrance of
the house. Duncan begged leave to
see his son Kenneth, lad of five
years, who was asleep in the bedroom
While in the room. he blew out the
lamp. He came back to the kitchen
and remained there for five more min
utes when he again said he would like
to see his child.
bedroom as if he intended to lie down
AS he passed into the darkened cham
Der he turned. backed up against the
bed where his little son lay and pulled
out his revolver
Duncan shouted:
I'm out for business and I'm going
to make good"
Duncan then fired four times
through the door in rapid succession
aiming directly at his wife who sat
facing the door with the light full in
her face.
One of the bullets found its mark
and Mrs. Duncan crumpled to the floor
Duncan then turned the pistol to his
head and attempted to pull the trigger
but was frustrated by Dezero who haG
crept along the floor. jumped anC
grabbed the mans arm.
Dezero pulled the frenzied man tc
the floor while his wife took the CUR
from his hand. Wilfred Noel, a rcla-
tive, who was rooming in the house
came to Dezero's assistance and hclC
Duncan to the floor.
Mrs. Duncan still lay on the floor
where she had fallen. Her niece rush
ed to her side and lifted her into the
chair Seeing no blood Mrs. Deere
concluded that the woman was not
hurt and pleaded with her to bestil
herself saying that "it is all right as
the bullets went into the woodwork
Mrs. Duncan. however, uttered a groar
and pressed her hands to her side, in
dicating that one of the bullets haC
pierced the abdomen.
Doctors +. H. Gebhardt and william
Stickney were Immediately summoned
~ ct
ton and took with him Officers Dwyel
and CAVITY and tho three men were soor
at the scene. The wounded woman wa!
put to bed as removal to the hospita
was impossible at that time owing t.
her critical condition. Ambulance
were at the scene, but not used.
Duncan made little resistance ant
was removed to the county jail. Cit.
Grand Juror C. f. Novak was sum
moned and the man was arrested oi
his warrant owing to the absence o
States Attorney c. V. Pouln. DR.. Geb
hardt sat with the wounded womal
through the greater part of the night
She was removed yesterday morning il
the Stearns ambulance to the hcspta
The States attorney was called fror
Lake Bomoseen Sunday morning. Nj
Poulin, with Mr.. Novak. conducted
thorough investigation yesterday. Th
three bullets which did not strike Mr.:
Duncan were all found. One hit tn
right arm of the chair in which sh
was sitting while the other two wen
through the back door and landed i
the dirt in the back of the house.
Duncan is about 80 years old and hi
wife was o. They have been marie
for several years and have one soi
Kenneth, a boy five years old. a wee
ago to-day, Mrs. Duncan petitionod fo
a divorce. An injunction and restrain
ing order were issued and the hoarin
was set for last Saturda. morning be
fore Judge +. NJ. Butler. but was NJ
held owing to the failure of Dunca
to appear
During his examination at the hous
of correction yesterday morning Dur
can was asked why he shot his wifi
He said
I'm sorry / did it. ] love her madl
that's the only reason why | she
her. / hope she lives, that's all"
When notified that Mrs Duncan ha
died at the city hospital officials t
the house of correction stated La
night they had not acquainted Dunca
with the result of his attack.
Duncan won't be told his wife
dead until tomorrow morning" is II
statement of one of the officials.
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