Norwich bulletin., 1916-03-04
MATTERS INTERESTING WESTERLY
Arguments Begun in Kingston Murder Case Counsel For James R. Mellow Maintains Lack of Direct Evidence Tilt Between Medical Examiner Scanlon and Assistant Attorney-General Branch.

-. deputy sheriff for New London eeun- tyY state of Connecticut, testified that he had arrested Rhodes for selling li- quor and was sentenced to jail Never arrested Rhodes for any act of vio- lence or robbery. Several other wit nesses who would give similar testi- mony were not called, as the court ruled out that line of testimony, and exceptions were noted.
 Thomas Rhodes, father of William Rhodes, the man who Mellow claims, he shot in self defense, testified that William had watch and it was now at the home in Wakefield. So far as he knew his son never carried a pock- etbook. The watch found in the pocket of Rhodes was shown and the witness said he never saw his son with that watch. At home of witness, son lived with a white woman that he called his wife. His sen William never worked on the railroad or trans ferred freight.
 At noon the state rested. ts'sF
 The state then commenced the intro auction of testimony in rebuttaI, the first witness being Mrs. Mabel Grams ton. She testified she lived in Adling- ton, R. I. She was nousekeeper in house wheZe Rhodes boarded She never saw Rhodes with a gun, and on the morning before the murder Rhodes had several bills, and he always carried money in his right hand trousers pocket. There was no tear in Rhodes trousers that morn ing.
 Attorney Fred c. oIney was the next witness and testified he never saw Rhodes with a gun, and knew Rhodes reputation in this vicinity. He knew Rhodes since he was born. he was fl years old and never knew him to be or a pugnacious nature. He never knew Rhodes to rob anyody, as peo- pie of his kind did not rob. Witness Is colored man and a cousin of the dead man. and said he was not ashamed of It.
 John H. MeGee, Of Bristol, testified that he knew James Rego Mellow, and he was not a peaceable man and was in much trouble. Mellow had been indicted for stealing wire, and had reputation of being quarrelsome at times.
 Joseph R. Silver. of Bristol. testi- fed he was in hardware business and formerly kept a saloon. He heard Mellow say he was in California. Wit ness was somewhat deaf now but could hear well five years ago when he heard California mentioned. Arthur Suzzi, first cousin of Jim Mellow sug- gested to the sheriff that witness be summoned.
 Town Sergeant Isaac Hopkins, oi Kingston, testified as to the papers found on the shelves in tf1e shack last Monday. but never saw them there be- fore. He went there with Attorney Roche. He had known Rhodes fol many years and never knew him to be quarTelsome or to carry 8 gun.
 James w. Golf, captain of police oi Bristol, testified that he knew wei Reso Mellow and he bore a bad rep1- tation. He was a drinking man. and quarrelsome and his reputation was bad for honesty, and covered a long period. He knew of no trouble witf Mellow since 1910. As a rule if Mel low was not seen in the drinking dis. trict he could be heard but he wa. not steady drinker. Mellow has not been in Bristol much since 1902. He considered Mellow dishonest on com. plaint of Mrs. Mellow for larceny ot a pocket book and $15.
 Recess for dinner.
 Mitchell Randall was the first wit ness called at the afternoon session and recalled for a third time. H, said he was in the market bushes! and never sold liquor to the Olsens Rhodes, Mellow or anybody else. Int testimony was to contradict testimony that Oscar bade.
 Frank J. Bettencourt, of Bristol, R l., testified he knew James Rego Mel low for twenty-four years. and hi! reputation is no good. He has recort for. SteaIipr raoI-Frp-ip dr,,ylr opy quarrelsome. Never heard anything good of him, but heard much that wa bad of him.
 The record of Mellow in Bristo court was introduced showing his ar rest as a boy and sent to reform school and two jail sentences. one fo larceny and others for assault. John A. Sousa, of Bristol, testified i he was employed in a wooIen mill, am l had met Mellow a few times. He hat ! heard people talking about Mellow rob | ping a man named John Lopez. Neve heard any detaile of robbery but hai | heard he was a bad man.
 Earle C. WhaIey. civil engineer, sai he made a map of the so-caIled room | of death. and recalled testified that h | made the measurements two week | ago and did not see the handle of | frying pan behind or under the stove He was not looking for exhibits. | Police Inspector McGann. of ProVi dence. was recalled and identified | revolver that was placed in as an eX hibit. He first saw the gun in the DO | lice station. and investigated its findin | by woman who found 1t in the req of her yard. Mir. Branch did not plac the revolver in evidence. The revolve was found near Olneyville and perhar over half a mile from the railroa l track.
 Deputy Sheriff Charles A. Benne
 was recalled and testified he made in l vestigation in regard to a man name
 Nick" a name that was used in cor
 nection with the case. Through tt
 state college boys he found the bc
 referred to was Shirley. and that the
 called him "Nick'
 Rev. Twyman A. Shirley. coIore
 testified that he had three sons, ar
 none of them are called Nick" The
 names are Harvey Horace and Clal
 ence, the latter is niclSnamed Dump
 Harvey Shirley was called and said
 never was called Nick" and nev,
 knew Mellow and was not at the O
 Kingston station on the night Of u murder. Horace Shirley was cailt and testified the same as his broth
 Harvey. Clarence Shirley tsstifit