New Britain herald., 1916-02-02
PERJURY CHARGES
 AT M0HR TRIAL Wite and Sister of Spellman
 Placed Under Arrest NEW MOVE BY STATE
Action Follows Denial By Mrs. Daley That She Told Grand Jury She Did Not Know What Time Accused Came Home On Night of Murder.

Providence, R. l., Feb 2-Mrs. Bessie N. Spellman, the wife and Mrs. Gertrude Dailey, a sister of Henry H. Spellman, on trial with Mrs Eliza beth F. Mohr and C. Victor Brown. for the murder of pr. c. Franklin Mohr, were arrested today on a charge of perjury. The women had testified at the morning session and had given ev- man.
 The first intimation by the state that it was preparing to lay foundation for perjury charges came up on the cross examination of Mrs. Dailey who denied that in a statement to the grand jury she had declared she did not know what time Spellman re- turned home the night of the killing. Today she explained that she did know because she heard him. William H. Lewis counsel for Brown, objected to this line of questioning, although the court held that it was proper as it was the only way by which the state could attempt a prosecution on such a charge.
 MfS. SpclAnldnS IeSClI1Ony.
 Mrs Spellman testified that on the night of tie murder her husband with whom she was not living at the time, came to her mothers home, where she was stopping and after getting something to eat went to his sisters home to sleep.
 Arthur Cushing, of counsel for Mrs. Mohr and a co-administrator of Dr. Mohr's estate, testified that the doc tors handbook showed a deposit of $254 on August 2S, 1915 and that his office receipt book showed entries of $3O5 on August 23; SPA on August 2S and $205 on August 31. He said that $101 was found in the doctors pockets shortly after he was shot on the night Of August 31.
 States Witness Called.
 Mrs. Edna Campbell a states wit ness, who was called by the defense, testified it was very dark at the scene of the shooting and that one could not see blood on the face of a, person at any distance. George w. Healis, MT. Mohr's chauffeur, had stated he saw blood on pr. Mohrs face.
 Mrs. Bessie Spellman, wife of Henry Spellman, and Mrs Gertrude Daley, his sister, gave testimony in support of his alibi Mrs. Spellman said on the night of the murder Henry went to her mothers for supper and then 60 his sisters to sleep. She admitted she was not living with him at the time.
 Did Know Time.
 On cross examination Mrs. Daley admitted having made a sworn state ment in September in which she claimed she did not know what time Spel1man returned home the night of the murder, but explained today she did know because she heard him.
 The prosecuting attorney asked if she had not testified before the grand jury that she did not know what time Henry came home as She was asleep.
 Browns Attorney Objects.
 William H. Lewis, Browns attorney objected The court ruled that the inquiry was permissab ble as "this was the only way to lay foundation for perjury prosecution"
 Assistant Attorney General Phillips intimated that the purpose of this questioning was to lay a foundation for perjury indictments.
 Mrs. Daley then denied she made such a sta tement before the grand jury.
 Threatens Arrests.
 After court adjourned Attorney General Rice told Attorney Lewis that he would have warrants issued immediately for the arrest of two wit nesses for the defense, unless Mr. Lewis agreed to have the two go on the stand this afternoon and tell the truth.''
 "We have no statements to with draw" replied MT. Lewis.
 Mrs. Spelln1an and Mrs. Daley, the witnesses to whom Mr. Rice sai1 he referred, were later arrested and taken to police headquarters.