Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-07-05
MRS.. FELCH WINS
HER FREEDOM
g a
Jury Gives Verdict of Not Guilty
after Four Hours of De-
liberation.

acquitted Of the charge OF murder OF her
husband, Joseph Fetch, by jury that re-
turned verdict Of six o'clock, last eve
ming In Orange county court after deliber-
ating four hours. The remarkable cour.
age and fortitude with which she has
borne the ordeal of the trial did not de-
sert her and she arose without a trace Of
any consciousness Of what was at stake to
hear the foreman Of the Jury pronounce
the verdict. When Not guilty" fell from
the lips of the foreman Of the jury, two Of
her attorneys. Hale X. Darling and A. G.
Fay stepped to the rail and Mrs. Felch
grasped the hand of each and shook 1t
warmly.
Throughout the two weeks Of the trial,
Mrs. Felch viewed the proceedings with
the utmost coolness She never once lost
her nerve" She testified in her own be-
half resolutely and with supreme self
possession, and appeared daily in mourn
ing.
Waiting at the jail. was Mrs. Felchs
mother. Mrs. James Smith. tending the
baby that was born to Mrs. Felch in Jail
November IA. Mrs. Felch remained at the
jail last night. and to-day. it is understood
went to the home of her parents in Waits
River before returning to her former
home. The attitude of her late husbands
parents. Mr.. and Mrs. John Felch. toward
her has been the subject of much specua-
ton. Mrs. John Felch is said to have re-
marked to friend in court on Friday
that IL Anna was acquitted, she would
take her home with her.
The final chapter in the most sensational
murder trial in the State since that of
Mary Rogers was enacted in the presence
of only few spectators and the court
officials. The little court room has been
filled throughout the two weeks of the
trial with crowd of eager listeners and
observers. But when the case had gone
to the jury they dribbled out of the court
room, tired with waiting. until at the last
only a few were present.
Attorney Richard Hoar occupied a little
over an hour this morning in the final
summing up for the respondent, Hale X.
Darling having used yesterday two Of
the three hours allotted each side. At
torney-General Barber followed for the
State, speaking for two full hours. Both
made their points with more or less calm
ness and there was every courtesy in
Attorney General BARRIERS attitude to-
ward the respondent and none of the
usually expected denunciatory manner.
Judge F. NJ. Butler of Rutland took an
hour in giving his charge to the jury,
which got the case at one o'clock. They
promptly took a recess for dinner and at
two o'clock began their deliberations.
Nothing could be obtained after the trial
as to the trend Of their deliberations.
AS 1t was supper time they Immediately
went home after being discharged and
there was little time for any talk as to
what took place in the jury room.
There was scarcely any Of the element
of sensation in the last moments of the
trial. When it was announced that the
jury had reached decision, the respond
ent was summoned, and she entered with
her usual assurance and confidence Of
bearing, which has scarcely deserted her
during the trial. The jury men filed in.
Deputy County Clerk w. H. Sprague.
who has been acting in the place Of Coun-
ty Clerk Hale X. Darling, who was one
of Mrs. Felch's attorneys, called upon
the foreman If they had reached a verdict.
The foreman. S. A. Hutchinson of Brain
tree, arose and said they had.
Gentlemen of the jury" said Mr..
Sprague. you will rise and look upon
the respondent"
Then he called upon the respondent to
rise and look upon the jury. She arose
without faltering and gazed steadily at
the jury. without, apparently. any appre-
henson.
The clerk then asked Of the foreman.
DO you find this respondent guilty or
not guilty"
mot Guilty" said the foreman.
And to the jury men Clerk Sprague said.
SIS this your verdict, gentlemen Of the
jury" and they assented.
Attorney-General Barber had left for
his home in Brattleboro before the ver-
dict was brought in, nor was Attorney
r. A. Hoar one of Mrs. Felch's counsel,
in the room.
The trial of Mrs. Felch was the sequel
to the conviction of young Otis Williams.
the former farm hand on the Felch farm,
who was found guilty Of murder in the
first degree at the June. 1916. term of
Orange county court and Is now serving
life term in the State prison at Wind
sor. In his confession he alleged that
Mrs. Felch actually fired the shot that
killed her husband on Easter eve, 1916
as he was boiling sap in his sugarhouse
not far from his farm home in the little
village of Waits River. Mrs. Felch,
while testifying at her trial. denied Will
liams' allegations of Illicit relations.
The body Of Joseph Felch was found in
his sugarhouse on Easter morning, a year
ago. He had been shot through the head
and rife lay beneath him. The arrest
Of Mrs. Fetch and Otis Williams soon
followed and the trial of the latter was
held last June. Mrs. Felch Is in her