The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-06-27
DEFENSE BEGUN
IN FELCH CASE
Respondent Is Expected to
Go on Stand at
Chelsea
OTHERS TESTIFY
TO GOOD FEELING
Otis Williams Says He Was
Not Sure How Accused
Woman Fired


ings on the ninth day of the trial of Mrs
Anna Felch, charged with the murder Of
her husband, Joseph Felch of Topsham
1t was the first whole day occupied by
the defense, the state having rested late
yesterday afternoon, and followers OF
the case were impressed by the appar-
entity strong stand which counsel for the
accused proposes to make in her behalf.
In the first place there was every prob
ability that Mrs. Feleh would take the
stand in her own behalf before recess is
taken at 5 o'clock and in that event
there was conceded to be possibility
that the defense would complete its side
in time for the closing arguments to be-
gin tomorrow. Counsel for the woman
did not confirm the .rumor that their eli
ent would testify, but the impression
abroad in the courthouse was that she
would take the stand before the defense
closes.
From the line OF inquiry pursued while
| Myron j. Buck, Bethel engineer, who
continued his testimony when the trial
was resumed this afternoon, it was evil
dent that the defense proposes to show
| that the states claim concerning the
point whence the fatal bullet left the
gun and then passed through Felch's
| head before lodging in a post, Is unten-
able from a mathematical standpoint.
Buck took the stand late this forenoon
and told of measurements made on the
person of the accused. The distances
| from the floor to the hollow of the re-
spondent's arm while she was kneeling
was "a inches, and with the accused lean
ing back on her heels, 20 inches, he said.
Witness also testified that the measure
ment from the floor to the hollow of her
arm remained the same. whether she
knelt on one knee or both. Later the
witness was induced to tell in detail of
his investigations at the sugarhouse, of
measurements taken with reference to
the crack through which the state claims
the gun protruded when the shot was
fired.
John Felch was the first witness for
the defense this morning. He repeated
his testimony of yesterday concerning
the estimate of Joseph Feleh's estate,
showed the difference between the farm
er's estate when he was married and at
the time of his death, and indicated that
the surplus was due TO the combined en-
ergy of husband and wife.
Mrs. Feleh, improved as the next wit
ness for the accused, said she knew Anna
Feleh when she was Anna Smith, and
spoke OF being pleased with her marriage
to Joe. The relations between the two
families she went on, were always pleas
ant until the death of her son. Witness
also testified that the accused worked
outdoors as we'll as in the house and that |
her time seemed to be fully taken up. |
Mrs. Felch recalled the Halloween party |
mentioned yesterday and said that Joe
Felch was absent in Bradford and didn't |
get home until late on the night that |
Otis Williams and the accused were al |
legged to have gone to the socisble to-
gether. Witness also said that her son |
stopped at her house and that at his
instance she called Anna Felch and talked |
with her over the telephone.
Otis Williams, recalled to the stand
for cross examination, said he had brown
eyes, and at the request of Attorney
Hoar he walked along the jury box to let
the jurors look for themselves. On the
redirect examination, the witness said
the murder was committed on a very
dark night, and that he couldn't tell
whether the accused in handling the rifle,
knelt on the ground or on box. He
said he looked through the crack previ-
Gus to Felch's death and saw the farmer
inside. although he didn't know whether
he moved in the time intervening be-
tween his observation and when the gun
was fired.
Fred Bagley of West Topsham told of
going to the Felch house and said he
saw a box six or eight feet long at the
end of shed attached to the sugarhouse.
Richard Farnham, a brother-i law of
Mrs. George Mccormack (Josie Perol,
said that Anna Felch and Josie Pero
anne to his house on the Sunday before
he murder and stayed from 10 2. m. TO
p. m, and that the accused invited Z
.he Farnhams and Percs to come over
% the Felches' on the following Sun
lay for a sugar party. Witness said he
vas preparing to go the next Sunday
morning when he heard of Joe's death. {
said that he had known the ae-
used for long time, although she never {
'isited his place but once.
Ellery Emerson, a carpenter, testified {
o working "A DAYS for Joe Felch in the |
all of 1915 and that he took his meals
4 the Felch farm, while lodging at Otis
house. Witness said he never
aw any signs of familiarity between /
he accused and Williams, but on the
il came out that he c
ras with Williams only five DAYS dur n
ng his stay at the Felch farm and that I
Anna was working near him only one J
ay. George +. Miles told OF visiting {
he sugsrhouse on the morning after the I
ragedy and said he noticed a box some
eet away from the crack in the sugar
ouse wall Once he used the words e
hree or four feet. On the cross-eUami-
alton il was indicated that he meant
hree or four boards away and that the
cards were six inches wide. Witness
aid he sat near Mrs. Felch at her hus-
snd's funeral. that he saw her cry and
hat she took on badly" after reaching
ONE.
Motion for Aoquittal overruled. \
The state rested at so o'clock yes b
srday afternoon, but before the defense q
-eut on with its evidence. there was a \
inference Of attorneys at the bench. in b
-hich counsel for the accused moved that y