New Britain herald., 1917-11-23
OFFICERS Protect
PRESIDING JUDGE
De SaulleS Murder Trial Causes
Sending Of Sensational Letter
PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD"

Dinner Guest of Jack De Saullcs'
House ON Night of Murder is Called
and Testtfies as to the Killing of
His Friend.
Mineola, N. Y, Nov. 23.-Through
Marshal Ward, dinner guest at the
De Saulles home the evening of Au-
gust last when the former Yale
football star was killed, the prosecu-
ton today in the trial of Mrs. Blanca
De Saulles for the murder of her
former husband offered the first eye
witness evidence of shooting. The
submission Of testimony on behalf of
the prosecution was expected to be
completed before the close of the aft
ernoon session. Counsel for the de-
fense has announced that Mrs. De
Saulles will be the first witness in her
own behalf.
Indications today were the case
would not be given to the jury until
late next week. There will be a mass
of expert testimony, for. both sides
having to do with defenses claim that
Mrs. De Saulles was mentally ire
sponsible at the time of the shooting.
persons seeking admission even more
closely than was the case yesterday.
Since the opening of the trial Justice
Manning has received a number OF
threatening letters, one of which, it
was stated, advised the justice to
prepare to meet thy God" in the
event of the jury returning a verdict
of guilty
Special officers met the justice at
the railroad station today and escort
ed him to the court house.
When the days session of court be-
gan Henry A Uterhart, counsel for
the defense, said he did not wish to
place the defendant on the witness
stand today on account of her physical
condition, nor did he wish to have her
begin her testim unless she could
tell her whole story without interrupt
ton. Justice Manning therefore an
nounced that court will not sit to-
morrow.
When Mr.. Ward resumed the stand
he told of dinner at the DeSaulles
home, THE Box near Westbury,
Long Island, the evening of the trag-
edy. ,~ga. j. .~-- .-...., '-,'- ~'-
AS MIS-. DcSaulles entered the liv-
ing room Of the home few minutes,
before the Shootino. Ward testified
DeSaullos arose from Il couch and. ex-
tending his hand. greeted her with
the words: "fIow are YOU. Blan-
Quita p" This was a nickname De-
Saulles frequently used in addressing
his wife.
Other questions brought from Ward
admissions that Mrs DeSaulles made
inquiry after entering the room for
Little Jack" her SON.
She had come to take the boy with
her, Ward testified. A converse ton
ensued in which both parties con-
tended they were legally entitled to
the custody of the boy during August
Ward said he heard DeSaulles make
positive refusals to yield custody of
the youngster, whereupon, he de-
clared Mrs DeSaulles said then
there Is only one thing to do"
"Proceed," urged Uterhart, as the
witness paused.
"Then I saw the flash of the shots
from Mrs DeSaulles' revolver" said
the witness.
What did you do?" asked the at
torney.
'As soon as l could collect myself
I rushed over to Mrs. DeSaulles and
grasped her arm
what did she say?
"She said it had to be DONE"
Mrs. Caroline Degener. a sister of
John l.. DeSaulles, who was at her
brothers home when the shooting oc-
Cured, testified: IT was coming down
the stairs with Little Jack, who was
going to say goodnight to his father
and grandfather said Mrs. Degener
when Mrs. DeSaulles entered. We
oh O+1 md 11o Sni ch
wished to talk to her former hus-
band"
This conflicted with the testimony
of other witnesses who declared the
defendants first inquiry on entering
the home was about her son.
Constable Leonard Thorne who ar
rested Mrs DeSaulles an hour after
the shooting testified she exclaimed:
"My God. My God!' when told her
former husband had died.
Major Arthur Is. DeSaulles of South
Bethlehem, Pa. father of the mur-
dered man, testified that Mrs. De
Saulles said then take that" as she
fred the revolver shots. A contro-
versy over possession of the boy had
Immediately preceded this remark,
he said This terminated when De
Saulles turned away from her. say
ing it was mo use to discuss the mat
ter any further"
Sheriff Phineas Seaman testified
that enroute to, the Jail In an automo-
bile some one inside asked will they
electrocute me right away?"
On objection that the defendant was
not definitely connected with the state
ment by the witness, this reference
was excluded.
Didn't you send for a clothesline
after Mrs. DeSaulles was locked up
Sheriff Seaman was asked by Attor-
neE Uterhart.