The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-07-22

session Wednesday of the trial of By
ron M. Pettibone of Bennington
charged with the murder Of his wife
by poisoning, and which has been in
prs ogress in Bennington county court
at Manches er, recess was taken TO
O'clock this afternoon. Attorney
Joseph G.. Jones, one of the attorneys
for the defence, was called 10 Rutland
to attend the funeral of his daughter
in law, Mrs. Lawrence Jones, which
took place this morning.
When court reconvenes this after
noon 1t was for the purpose of taking
mp the hearing in chambers for the ad
mission or rejection of the alleged con
fession made by Pettibone. 1t has
been understood for some time that
counsel for the defence will objeca to
the admission of the alleged confes
sion ON the ground that it was obtain
ed by detectives under pressure.
The hearing in chambers is expected
to develop the crisis in the battle for
life Of the accused man., Upon it de
pends to large degree the future
course OF the trial, Its rejection viii
mean that the state must proceed With
other, evidence. An admission will
facilitate the cause of the state and
add to the difficulties cohiron ing The
defence t G..
Detectives from Wood agency il
Boston who secured the alleged confes
sion from Pettibone have been at Mar
chester, since the opening Of the tria
1t is presumed that Miss Lena Evers
Mr.. Woods s,enographer, who was
present when the alleged confession
was made and who in the mythical ri
mors following Pettibone's arrest fig
ured as the mysterious blond sem
to Bennington to ensnare The accused
man fer the purpose of obtaining infor
nation, will also be in attendance a
the hearing.
The name of Miss Helen Guillow
q the trained nurse with whom Petit
bone has been infatuated, was brought
into the trial for the first time Wed
nesday afternoon. 1t was apparent
from the examinations Of several wit
nesses that the state merely sought tC
es ablsh the fact that the accused mar
and the nurse had frequently been il
each others company both before anC
after Mrs. Pettibones dea h.. At tht
time OF Pettibone's arrest it was gen
orally believed that the love affair o
the nurse and The undertaker's assist
ant had been an intimacy of compare
lively short duration. 1t was under
stood to have dated from March of th'
presen year and to have had its begin
ming when Pettibone was called in
professional capacity ON the occasion
of the death of Mss Guillow grand
ia her Testimony introduced durinj
tho afternoon disclosed he fact tina
the palr had had more than a casua
acquaintance for almost year. ON
tayi driver testified to night rides t
Hoosick Falls in August 1919
Wednesday was The first day Of tn
trial that witnessed the presence o
any considerable number Of peopl
from bennington. During the frs
two days few were present, mostl
those who had scme direct connection
with the case or who had been sun
moned to appear as Witnesses, Wee
ncsday morning the spectators bega
to make their appearance and the
included many who had become wei
acquainted with the accused man dul
ing his residence of more than te
years in this village. Pettibone is be
ing allowed every liberty consisten
with the circumstances under whic
he Is being held. Members of his fal
lily and friends are given all possibl
opportunity to converse with him. II
is, of course, kept closely guarded q
all times by the sheriff or one OF hi
deputies.
Friends who had not seen Petition
since he was placed under arrest br
who on Wednesday were permitted t
visit him during the noon recess wer
impressed with the marked chang
that has taken place in his persona
appearance. No one has observed an
appreciable loss in weight His fac
to be sure, no longer has the rudd
appearance acquired from days in tn
open ar as hearse driver. I4ik
others who have noticed he change
the personal appearance of the a
Cused man, his visitors Wednesda
were Impressed with the haggard loo
in the young mans eyes and the re,
dened lids, evidence of sleeples
nights. lie complained Wednesdo