The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-07-21
Swore that Williams Told
Him of Improper Rela-
tions With Mrs. Felch, and
That Both Planned to
Raise Money to Get
Away from Own Homes
With

ly in the Felch murder trial yesterday
and to-day. Speculation over the way
that the testimony of important wit
nesses will be shaped was heightened
when counsel for the defense, in cross
examining Dr. W. R. Rowland of East
Corinth, asked question involving the
mental condition of the respondent, Otis
Williams, prior to the murder, ques-
tion the nature OF which may portend
the setting up of insanity as a defense.
Whether the cryptic query of Attorney
Stanley c. Wilson indicates that the de-
Tense is relying on insanity as a plea
for Williams acquittal will be known in
short time. At any rate, MANY who
have followed the trial from dsy to day
attached much significance to the oues-
ton. Strenuous objections from the
prosecution followed when the witness,
replying to the question, stated that
Williams, on the occasion OF his 1.-THE
doctor'sl last visit with him was "mors
or less under the ordinary mentality"
This morning the defense completed
the cross examination of DR.. Rowland
soon after court came in at 9 o'clock. The
testimony was mostly concerned with
ietails of what was covered when the
physician told his interesting story yes.
,erday of conversation with the accused
Dr.. Rowland was succeeded on the stand
" Eugene Williams, brother of the re-
pondent, but after he had been sworn
he prosecution decided to introduce his
estimony later in the case. He was
withdrawn for the time being
In mid forenoon Deputy Sheriff Law.
ence Welch, who arrested Williams, was
sked to take the stand. He testified
S to some OF the formal steps taken to
ring the detention of Williams and was
sked at this juncture to repeat con-
ersation he had with the respondent
fter his arrest 1t was intimated thao
he talk took place after Williams had
cen lodged in the jail and to the ques-
he jury was dismissed from the room
lille Judge Stanton listened to the at
orneys for the prosecution and defense
lscuss the question Until near noon
lie time was spent in debating ques-
on as to whether the deputy sheriff
I'd properly warned Williams before
stening to his statement, that what he
id might be used against him. Also
lie question developed as to whether
ere is any statutory restriction im-
'sed on an officer in discussing with the
isoner the charge preferred against
m. At As O'Clock this forenoon the
urt took the usual noon recess, bit
rlier to-day in order to permit eoun-
for the defense and the prosecution
look up the status of an officer with
ference to his relation with a prisoner
his custody.
Recovering at LAS o'clock this after
on the court was ready to hear the ar
ments on the question and it was e..-
ted that Deputy Sheriff Welch would
recalled TO the stand at once
Nothing of a more sensational nature
5 developed at any time during the
al than the testimony of the Corinth
ysicisn as he unfolded the story of
0 conferences with the prisoner in the
rs preceding the tragedy at Topsham
the night OF April %. when Joseph
ch came to his death in the sugar
Ise Owing to the heat conditions
hin the court room were well nigh
parable, but during the witness alb
bing recital of Williams own admis-
rs concerning his relations with Mrs.
ch the spectators listened breathless-
md for the moment the humidity was
gotten. Perhaps a hundred fans were
sed before eager-eyed spectators as
ds involuntarily stopped the swaying
rement Of the palm leaves when Or.
vlsnd, in carefully measured syllables.
re that Williams told him Of i'm
per relations with Mrs. Felch on.
" occasions. that she usually made
fCarf5rupS On eighth nasal