The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-07-26
Otis Williams May Know
His Fate Before He Re-
tires Tonight
ARGUMENTS NJ .
IN CHELsF 7joURT
The Defense F s On Only
a Small Al 5 mt of
Testi- S y

Chelsea, July 26.-Closing arguments
: in the case of State vs.. Otis Williams,
jointly indicted with Anna Felch for the
murder of Joseph Felch at Topsham on
the night of April D. Began when Orange
county court reconrened at o'clock this
morning, States Attorney f. S. Will
liams made the opening argument for the
state and he was followed by Attorney
Stanley G. Wilson and Attorney David
Conant for the defense This afternoon,
1t was expected. Attorney General H. G..
Barber would make the closing argument
for the state, TO be followed by the
charge to the jury by Judge T. S. Stan
ton. Procedure to-day so shaped itself
as TO indicate that the case would be in
the hands OF the jury when adjournment
is taken at 5 o'clock, or possibly sooner,
although there Were those who predicted
that the jury will not receive the case
until tomorrow morning.
1t became known to-day that the de-
fense has asked for a continuance in the
state case against Mrs. Felch. The wom-
an respondent is represented by r. A.
! Hoar of Barre and r. NJ. Harvey of
Montpelier. 1t is stated that she is in a .
delicate way and might not be able to
withstand the rigors OF a murder trial
at this time. Consequently her counsel
IS anxious to have the case put over until
September and it is understood that the
state has assented to the wishes of coun-
sci for the accused.
Brief Testimony for Defense.
Near noon on the eighth day of the
trial, the state rested and Immediately
after the mid day recess. the defense in
troduced six witnesses, only one Of whom
appeared in the case for the first time.
Ernest Bailey, an Orange farmer, testi-
fed to conversation between the mur-
dered man and the accused The other
witnesses were: States Attorney Will
liams, Deputy Sheriff George Tracey, the
lailer; Charles Kicker, Groton farmer;
Mrs. Otis Williams, and John Felch fa-
ther of the murdered man
Jailer Tracy testified that one detec-
tive occupied cell with Williams for
week in May Mr.. Kicker swore that he
made arrangements with Williams, some
time late in March, to work for him on
his farm in Groton. Williams intimated
that he would make the change but the
were not completed.
Neither of the two witnesses was cross
examined at length.
When sworn by the defense. Ernest
Bailey, the Orange farmer, recalled an
occasion when he was in Felch's barn.
1t was on the first day of the deer sea-
son and Felch and Williams were pres
Arlrn L1
lion between the two relative to work,
viz, the employment Of Williams, wit
ness responded in the negative. After
ward he recalled that there was some
ak on the subject, but he couldn't re-
all its nature. The prosecution object
d to the reception OF such evidence on
he ground that it was hearsay evidence
nd the objection was sustained,
Mrs Otis Williams testified that her
husband wore a pair Of boots offered as
n exhibit by the state, on the Monday
nd Wednesday after the fragedy. and
ossibly on the Tuesday. She said her
usband was 2l years old last October.
Witness testified to picking up her be-
,ngings, after the tragedy, with the aid
f her sister and her brother-in law.
When the defense sought to indicate the
ccessibility of the Williams house, Mrs.
Villains testified that the rear door
as secured by a button and a nail and
le front door by a lock. On the Sun
ny after a rainy night when it was al
ged the tragedy took place, witness
1T the house through a basement exit.
When John Felch took the stand the
ate offered an objection to the testi-
ony calculated to show whether he
new of any trouble between the accused
I'd the murdered man. The testimony
rs admitted and witness answered that
had never known of any such trouble.
g went on to say that he lived within
mile of his sons house and visited the
ace frequently. II developed under
oss examination that the elder Felchs
st visit to his sons home prior to the
lgedv was on the 18th or 18th of April.
ked if he knew whether anything un
ual had happened on the Friday before
e shooting, the witness replied that he
ew OF no uncommon happening.
The cross examination was brief and
len the witness left the stand, Attor-
Y Conant announced that the defense
uld rest. Whereupon the court or
red a recess of Is minutes. After the
sion reconvened, Judge stanton stat
that a recess would be taken sntil .
lock to-day This was at / O'Clock.
e accused fingered in the court loom
tn his counsel while Jailer Tracy IA
-ed him with q postponement OF the
lv walk TO the Jail, distance of sew
] rods and a trip in which Williams
ially appears as the cynosIre for
nv eyes.
The Young wife Of tie accused man
borne her troubles with fqrtitude
inc the trial. but yesterday she was
.blv affected 8 the officer made ready
accompany the prisoner back to jail.
released her hold on Williams hand
u seeming reluctance and left the