The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-03-03
DR.. Adams Testifies Trum-
bull Farmer Suffered An
Illusion Before Wife Was
Shot-Accused Frothed at
Mouth In TRADE Against
. Constable Emil Berger

The state closed Its case yesterday
in the trial Of Jason Haines, the
Trumbull farmer accused of having
killed his wife. Ballisttc experts were
the principal witnesses for the state
during the afternoon.
William M. Thomas, ba11istic en-
etneer of the U. M. c. Co., with ex-
perience of 46 years in the manufac-
ture Of cartridges, testified as to the
wadding found in the body of Mrs.
Haines and upon the floor of the 1iv-
ing room He examined the number
of paper and felt wads in the IL guage
shells similar to the exhibit of ex-
ploded shells, and declared that at
least two shells had been used and
possibly more. Less than two shots
could not have been fired.
Chester B. Smith, 440 Howard ave-
nue., New Haven. in the inspection de-
partmeBlt of the U. M. C. Co.. testified
in similar vein.
: At the conclusion of this testimony
the state rested its case. After a short
recess the defense opened with Charles
B. SeeIey, of Trumbu1I, conservator of
Jason s. Haines upon the stand An
attempt to place a will in evidence,
alleged to be signed by Jason s.
Haines was frustrated by the prosecu-
ton until such time as evidence that
would make it admissible was offered
1t was marked for Identification
Frank B. Munich, clerk of the pro-
bate court, was the next witness. He
produced upon request the application
and court order for the appointment
of a, conservator over Jason S. Ha1nes
which declared that by reason of in
toxicating liquor and physical 1nf1rnn1-
ties'' Hafnes wis incapable of manage
ing his affairs. Asked if a hearing
had ever been held witness was unable
to state that there was though he ad-
United that he was clerk in the office
He believed a regular hearing had
been held by Probate Judge Paul L.
Miller but he was not present
Application for the appointment OF
William E. Waller guardian over the
Haines children was also introduced
with an inventory showing that Halnes
was a large property holder, with per-
sonal estate of $7,89o.31 and six par
cells OF real estate in TrumbuH, Bridge
port and Fairfield. He had deposits
of money in various banks.
DR.. Frederick j. adams, police sur
geon Of Bridgeport, living at 339 west
avenue, placed upon the stand became
a most interesting witness declaring
that he had known HaineS for many
years and was called to the nome on
Friday evening, and also went to the
house at about 1890 on the morning of
the crime.
On the Friday precedi~E Haines had
called at his house in Bridgeport about
1880 and asked him to go to Chestnut
Hill. DR.. Adams reached there ABOUT
8:45 Haines was there and intoxfcat-
ed The physician attended Mrs
Haines for about half an hour.
Coming; to Monday morning the doc
tor told of reaching the house aRd
saw both Mr.. and Mrs Haines. Haines
was Intoxicated, nerve us. and had the
odor- of bad whiskey, he said HE
conversed somewhat at random; had
a wild look as of a person intoxicated
for some time; had tremors IN his
hands. He fell in getting over fence
to get some apples and was noticeably
rambling in his subjects of conversa-
ton
DR.. Adams understood that he would
he would have to go to court IN the
afternoon and gave him some pro-
nmdes. Stayed about half an hour at
the house and heard conversation be-
between husband and wife.
Pressed for a closer construction of
Haines' statements and appearance of
the prisoner at that time, the physi- !
clan testified that he had nervous
tremors, was talking at random, start !
ed in on TRADES against individuals
and ended by asking questions entire
ly foreign to the subject. He mag
ined he was to be hanged for the as
sault upon his wife, Also, he thought
he was being prosecuted by Constable
Emil Berger.
DR.. Adams was reluctant to use
much of the language alleged to have
been expressed by HaineS towards |
Berger, but after the w~~~oo in the |
court had been given an opportunity |
to vacate their seats he used the Ian |
guage of Haines which is unprintable, |
stating that the witness frothed at the |
mouth as he continued his TRADE. AS |
his wife came out of the house the |
physician heard Haines tell her that |
if she were going to appear against
him in TrumjbulI she would have to
walk.
Haines is also alleged to have Wilt |
fed the doctor and to have threatened |
him with personal violence.
During the recital by DIR. Adams, |