The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-10
AGAIN "A
FATHER Or B0STIcC'SS MURDERED WIFE
AGAIN ON THE STAND THIS MORNING

Didn't you tell him there was going
to be trouble2"
Barber answered no."
who has been supporting the
children OF your daughter?"
Barber replied that he was, and
that IL the defendant was found gull
ty he would continue to do so, hut IL
he was acquitted, Bosuc could have
his child LII he wished.
The child OF Bostic has been the
source of much dispute, it is reported,
Bostic declaring that his wife would
not give her up to him on several oc-
casions when he asked for her.
On numerous occasions today Bar
Der could not remember or had for
gotten certain answers to questions
put to him by Neely. Attorney Neely
stopped questioning at very appropri-
ate turns in the events of the tragedy,
leaving his main thought strong be-
fore the jury. His strong plea is that
Seraphina, the wife of Bostic, MAIN
tanned improper relations with Joe
Spadafore and that Bostic time and
time again endeavored to aptch up af-
fairs by helping, his wife get divorce
so that she might marry. Spadafore.
lie implies emphatica1ly that Bostic
shot in self defense and killed Spada-
ofre, and that his wife came to her
death accidentally because she ran
between the shots to defend Spada-
fore.
The second witness today was Mrs.
Scottie Conn, taxi driver, dressed in
regulation trousers and rubber coat.
Mrs. Conn testified to driving Dostic
following the killing to the court
house, where he explained 10 her that
eh had killed his wife and her lover
and intended giving himself up. She
turned over the revolver which Bos-
tic had given her to Sheriff Glocer.
Sheriff Glover testified to the truth
of this and the revolver was taken
from bis pocket while he sat in tht
witness chair aud was passed among
tho Jury. Each man handled 1t
mighty carefully with point down. For
q moment or two keen interest was
displayed in this murderous weapon
and every man within shooting dis
tance Of it ducked and leaned away
from it. Finally Deputy John Glover
was dispatched behind the jury box te
see that every load dlwas out. The re-
ovlyer Is an automatic one and will
continue firing ut least sseEefs times
IL once started. It holds II shots.
No one was anxious to get 1t startes
this morning.
at this stage In the trial Attorney
Shaw began pacing the Sfloor as his
line OF rattac kbegan to press hard
in his mind. Shaw when started has
some excellent points to present and
attention will be centered upon his
manner Of holding strong the states
line of attack against Bostic. So far
Eeefy has had the floor most OF the
time. 1t is thought that several days
will elase before all testimony Is pre-.
sented.
DR.. offner testified this morning
regarding the bullets fired on Decem
Der g. saying that Bostic's wife was
shot down through the body from the
right side, tearing open her heart and
causing death by bleeding. Bullets
went into Spadafore In several 1oca-
tions, one at the collar bone, one on
the left neck below the Jaw, another
over the left eye this passing through
the brain. There was also a wouno
iIAthe left shoulder. Nicely brought
out through offner's testimony that
Bostic's wife stood near to the revoly-
er when she was shot. DR.. offner
said she must have been, according to
bullets. Neely win prove, If possible,
that Saraphina ran in between the
revolver and her lover.
Propus Valtaggio, through interpre.
ter Mrs. Caldara, testified regarding
Bosttc's efforts to settle matters be-
tween himself and wife following his
return from the army. Prospus told
a very clear story of the matter, say
ing Bostic came to him and asked that
he go along as friend to Joe Spatk
fore's house to arrange plar, for a
divorce. Spadafore when found was
willing to appoint day to settle mat.
ters and the day was set. Thursday
was set as the day to NEE at Pros
Continued on pSge tour.l