The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-11-23
Expect Defendant to Go on
Witness Stand in Own
Defense.

WllHoSS evidence OF the SIlOOllliS. L hC
submission of testimony on behalf of
the prosecution was expected to be
completed before the close of the
afternoon session today and there
was a possibility that before adjourn
ment for the day Mrs. De Saulles
would begin her story of the events on
the night of the tragedy. Counsel for
the defense has announced that Mrs.
De Saulles will be the first witness in
her own behalf
Indications today were that the
case would not be given to the jury
until late next week. There will be
mass of expert testimony for both
sides, having to do with the defense's
claim that Ms. De Saulles was men
tally irresponsible at the time Of the
shooting.
Two court officers today scrutinized
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, 1t
was said, advised the Justice to pre-
pare to meet thy God" in the event
of the jury returning a verdict Of
guilty.
Special officers met Justice Man
ming at the railroad station today and
escorted him to the court house.
When the days session of court be-
gan Henry A. Uterhart, counsel Tor
the defense, said he did not want to
place the defendant on the witness
stand today on account Of her physi-
cal condition, nor did he want to have
her begin. her testimony unless she
could tell her whole story without in
terruption. Justice Manning there
fore announced that court will not sit
tomorrow.
When Mr.. Ward resumed the stand
he told Of g. dinner at the De Saulles
home, THE Box" near Westbury, L.
L, on the evening Of the tragedy.
AS MIR. De Saulles entered the Hv-
ing room of the home a few minutes
before the shooting, Ward testified,
De Saul1es arose from a couch and,
extending his hand, greeted her with
the words, How are you, Blan-
Quita-'' This was a nickname De
Saulles frequently used in addressing
his wife.
Other questions brought from
Ward admissions that Mrs. De Saulles
made inquiry after entering the room
for little Jack, her son.
She said she had come to take the
boy with her, Ward testified. A con-
versation ensued in which both par
ties contended they were legally en-
titled to custody OF the boy during
August Ward said he heard De
Saulles make positive refusals to yield
custody of the youngster, whereup-
on, he declared, Mrs. De Saulles 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. De Saulles' revolver" said
the witness.
what did you do?'' asked the at
torney.
.As soon as could collect myself I
rushed over to Mrs. De Saulles and
grasped her arm"
What did she say?"
"She said 1T had to be DONE"
Mrs. Caroline Degener, sister of
John L DeSaulles, who was at her
brothers home when the shooting oc-
Cured, testified:
ST was coming down the stairs with
little Jack, who was going to say good
night to his father and grandfather"
said Mrs Degener, when Mrs. De
SauIles entered. We spoke to each
other and she said she wanted to talk
to her former husband
This conf1icted 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. De SaulIes an hour after
he clh limo 49,
claimed, my God. Ny God" when
told that De Saulles had died.
Major Arthur b De Saulles Of
South Bethlehem, Pa, father of the
murdered man. testified that Mrs De
Saulles said Then take that!' as she
fired the revolver shots. A contro-
versy over possession of the boy had
Immediately preceded this remark, he
said. This terminated when De Saul
les turned away from her, saying it
was mo use to discuss the matter any
further
Sheriff Phineas Seaman testified that
en- route to the Jail in an automobile
"some one inside asked will they cleo
trocute me right away?'"
On objection that the defendant was,
not definitely connected with the
statement by the witness, this refer
ence was excluded.
Didn't you send for a clothes line
after Mrs. De Saulles was locked
up?" Sheriff Seaman was asked by
Attorney Uterhart.
Yes" was the answer.
why did you do that?'' was the
next question.
II was afraid something might hap
pen" answered the sheriff
Further Interrogation brought from
the witness a statement that he re-
ceived a note from the Jail physician
the morning following the shooting,
advising him not to conflne Mrs. De
Saulles in a cell because Of her ex-
IRENE nervousness"
Since she has been in Jail has Mrs.
De Saulles ever asked for her boy?"'
asked Uterhart.
MANY times" replied Seaman.
The witness said Mrs. De Saulles
was very pale" after the shooting.
He added that her calncness, in view
of the circumstances. greatly sur
prised him.
At this point the court announced
the noon recess.
INDICT EDITOR OF THE