Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-04-22
FIVE YEARS FOR LAPIER
Wholesale Burglnr Pleads Guilty md
VIII Go 10 windsor

Henry Lapier, Who Ia known to have
burgarized II dwelling houses In Bur
lington and four in WinooslN, in addition
20 opc, ating in New Hampshire, pleaded
guilty in city court Yesterday afternoon
and was sentenced by Judge Laid TO not
less than five nor mere ttcn ten years in
the state prison at Windsor. l.acior took
the sentence calmly but on tho way over
to III. Jail told the officer ne wanted TO
60 to probate court. This followed the
argument Of his attorney for ienicncy
on the grounds that no did not believe
Laper entirely responsible Cor what he
did. and Lapier was anxious TO be
adjudsed insane.
Lapier's activities began about a month
ago. SO far as the police can learn. The
house of Miss Myra Irwin at so North
Union street was entered about March
20 and five rings and lockct were
taken. The other places we're those Of
Philip Barber, Allen street; Mrs. Rose
pcmarest. King street: Edward Lavalley,
Lafountain street; the Misses Barttro, 134
North willard street: Ernest Croto
Cedar street; Robert T. Humphrey, 6S
Park street; Mrs. Eliza Farnham. $50
North street; Joseph l.. Burns. 90 Grant
street; the Laflash house. Pitkin street !;
and John L. Barry. King street. The
Winooski places were Joseph Cuisson.
Weaver street; William Biglow. Maple
street; Oscar Mayo, Maple street: and
Harvey Savard. Lapier is also known to
have entered four houses in Alstead,
/ y. II.
Lapier was sent to prison about 81
years ago and before he went wrong
again was employed at the mill in
Wnooski. where he worked for eight
months. He left there in December and
little is known of him since. When con-
fronted with the mass of evidence which
;hc police had secured, he volunteered
1fnrmation regarding the whereabouts
!Trrent articles. and nearly all of
DOT has been recovered He ran
mcr.r to jcwelry and money. and his
hauls in money ranged from a few cents
: to $50. which he found in the Savard
! house. H. also took cameras, clothing
and many other things
| Statc'g Attorney Martin recommends
4 the sentence of five years as a minimum
, on the grounds that the public was
entitled to protection from just such a
! man and that he was "A proven habitual
criminal. Attorney Webster pleaded for
! a reduction to four years on the grounds
that Lapier had volunteered information
| and made restitution SO far as possible
ne was VI inc opinion tHat the man was
not sane and thought correction could be
made in a shorter space of time. He was
now 80 years of age and there was still
hope for him. Judge Ladd in pronouncinE
sentence. took into consideration what he
owed the public. Lapicr had shown that
he chose the crooked way of earning a
living at time when labor was scarce
and wages high Hc had deliberately
given up employment in a Legitimate
way to embark on this career. when he
had looted homes by the wholesale. He
wanted him to have II good long time tc
think 1t over and sentenced him to five
years. Lapier had told the attorney that
he preferred death to "A prison sentenc,
but, when he was sentenced, evidenced
no emotion. The idea of his getting of
more lcniently by going into probate cour
evidently appealed to him. He will bs
taken to Windsor to-day.