The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-01-22
Prosecution Strikes a Snag
When Witness Fails to
to Corroborate
CHAUFFEUR HEALS
STICKS TO HIS STORY
Under Savage Cross-Exami-
nation by Widows Lawyer,
He Fails to Waiver

Providence, r. T., Jan. 22--The stat
yesterday virtually completed the direct
presentation OF its testimony against
Mrs. Elizabeth f. Mohr, Cecil V. Brown
and Henry IL. Spellman, on trial here
for the murder of the woman's hus
band, DR.. C. Franklin Mohr.
George H. Healis,, the negro chauffeur
who confessed that he took part in a
murder plot alleged to have been in
stigated by Mrs. Mohr, finished his tes-
timony just before the luncheon recess,
Questioned alternately by counsel for
the two negro defendants and by the
prosecuting attorney ON cross and re-
direct examination, he was taken over
various details of his three days tes-
timony without materially changing it.
When he left the stand it was be-
licved the state had only few, and
relatively unimportant witnesses to fol-
low, before it rested.
Mrs. Florence Barney. landlady of
the house in which Mrs. AIohr lived on
Reservoir avenue, was next called. She
said she lived in the same house her
self.
The witness said she saw Heals in
the hallway at Mrs. Mohr's door about
o o'clock on the night OF the shooting.
At another time she saw another col
ored man sitting in the hammock on
the piazza.
She admitted Mrs. Mohr told her
Brown had come to her after his dis
charge.
"You're a reluctant witness--you still
live in the same house with Mrs. Mohr,"
said the prosecutor.
Pm telling what | remember" was
the reply.
Attorney General Rice asked Mrs. Bar
ney if she didn't tell him that Heals
was in Mrs. Mohr's room at 6 o'clock
on the night of the shooting and that
Miss Clifford was waiting for Mrs. Mohr
on the piazza.
Il couldn't remember"
The attorney stated it was apparent
that she was a hostile witness. She
couldn't remember whether she told Mr.. |
Rice that while Heals was in the hall !
way another negro was in the piazza
hammock.
Heals admitted writing a letter to /
Attorney Edwards, counsel for Spell |
man, while he was in jail. The letter
was identified by the witness. The let
ter was dated Oct. IL, 1915. after Heals
had turned states evidence. 1t read as
follows:
Providence county jail. Oct. IL, 1915.
T a A. L.
you what do you think about me chang
ing lawyers, if you and Mr.. Lewis think
i a good move, and will help me and
The other two boys. Will you kindly
all and talk it over with my brother
which is at liz West Exchange street,
Herbert B. Heals, or call out and see
ne.
"Yours truly,
George w. Healis."
Heals said he wrote this letter as the
esult of talk with Brown. il
"Did you mean by that letter that
you wanted to change your story" !
sked Mr. Edwards.
mo sir" replied Heals and he made 4
he same reply to attorney Lewis of {
ounsel for the defense.
4Ch bHt biShb VI lbht eifNSb NAh ypu
ell those people who talked to you 4
What Mrs. Mohr told you to telll" Heal t
) was asked in redirect. "a
"Yes, sir" h
'Why didn't you tell Chief Robbins t
hat Mrs. Mohr was in it :"
Because she told me not to mention h
er name" "a
Heals said he was given a cell apart e
rom Brown and Spellman because they e
ere bothering him asking him "to stick
Y them"
"Did you tell Mrs. Mohr that Miss
urger was going down with the doctor
nat nightl'
Eyes, and Mrs. Mohr said il made no
Inference to get both her and the doc
Dr"
Didn't you say to Winfield Thompson, =
awspaper man, at the Bristol Jail that !,
Lrs. Mohr never talked to you about !,
ordering the doctor?" asked Attorney :,
,hn J. Fitzgerald on cross examination. :. =
Il don't remember" replied Heals.