The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-07-22
RESPONDENT TURNED
DOWN THE OFFER
Mrs. Felch Also Offered to
Supply Williams With
Money With Which to Sc
cure a Divorce From His
Wife, Sheriff Says the Ac-
cused Told Him

cused Told Him
Chelsea, July 22-Toward the close of
the fifth day Of the trial of State VS.
Otis Williams, charged with murder in
the first degree for completely in csus-
ing the death OF Joseph Felch at Tops
ham on the night Of April %, the prose.
cution offered in evidence statement
said to have been made by the accused to
States Attorney Frank S Williams in
the county Jail May Z. The statement,
I in effect, is said to be the Confession of
4 facts" which rumor has connected with
the case since the trial opened Monday.
When the jury was excluded from 5he
court room, the defense vigorously op-
posed the admission Of the alleged state
ment and until the hour Of adjournment
arrived at 5 o'clock the defense and
prosecution were earnestly engaged IN
arguing the point before Judge g. $.
Stanton and the assistant Judges
Before the court took an adjournment
this noon until Monday afternoon at
o'clock, the Judge had made a decision
on the statement which the prosecution
wished to introduce In effect the de-
eision permits the attorney general and
the states attorney to introduce as evil
dence the alleged confession Of facts said
to have been made by Williams in the
county jail. When the decision was
made it was nearing time for adjourn
ment and the prosecution decided not to
put in the statement until Monday aft
ernoon.
Previous to the announcement of the
judges decision, the preliminary hearing
started yesterday afternoon was contin-
ued, to the exclusion Of the jury. The
hearing was on the question of introduce
ing Williams alleged statement and the
defense offered in evidence the testimony
Of J. Walter Bigelow Of Braintree. who
was an inmate al the county jail when
the confession is said to have been made.
The witness said he was committed in
March and was present in the Jail when
was lodged in a cell after his
arrest. His testimony tended to bear out
the contention of the defense that detec-
tives stationed in the jail induced Will
iams TO make statements on the strength
Of promises Of reward or immunity
The early prospect of hearing VIII
iams' alleged confession set the court
'oom agog and busy week could not
lave been brought to a more dramatic
'limax than when the state announced
hat the confession would not be read
until court reeonvenes Monday.
The largest crowd of the week was
gathered under the courthouse roof. Seat
ng room was at premium and when
+ became apparent that the state was
N the point Of offering as evidence the
much rumored statement an expectant
ush settled down over the spectators.
f interest in the proceedings reached
high pitch during the testimony OF
H. w r. Rowland OF Corinth on the
av previous and again when Deputy
heriff Lawrence Welch was permitted
arlier in the afternoon TO rehearse his
onyersation with Williams in the eoun-
Y jail, it became even more clearly
ccentuated when the moment the pros
,ution indicated that it would bring
efore the jury the statement alleged to
ave been made by the accused concern
g the circumstances leading up to the
aging of Felch.
The testimony of Deputy Sheriff Weleh
as admitted following the noon recess
Id that only after the court had con-
dered arguments pro and con as to
neither the deputy's statement was ad-
issible, the defense eontending that the
spondent had not been properly advised
the possible consequences OF his talk
ith Mr.. Welch When the court al
wed the deputy to proceed he took the
and and swore to holding conversation
th the accused while he was confined
the county Jail In effect Williams
atement was that he didn't shoot
lch. that he did chores at the Felcll
rm on tie night Of April 22 and Went
me around s:l5 o'clock, going to bed
most Immediately upon his arrival. Tbs
tness testified that Williams told him
improper relations with Mrs. Feich
several occas sions. that Anna Felch Of
ed him $500 TO get Joe, her husband.
{ Of the way and that she later RAISED
: offer 10 $1,000 According TO the
tuess, the respondent said he turned
an both offers on the ground that il
.oIved too much risk After that,
.leh quoted the respondent as saving,
ms went On in much the same way.