The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-07-20
FREEDOM OFFER
WAS FOR $1,000
According to Testimony of
Roco Bennett in Tufts
Case
CAPT. GORDON WAS
HIS INFORMANT
But Was Told He Had To
Do Business With the
Corcorans

time, Bennett t@tified before the full
bench of the supreme court to-day.
Benefits testimony was introduced
by Attorney General Allen to support
one of the multiple charges on which
he bases proceedings TO have District
Attorney Tufts removed from office.
The Corcorans have been accused of
conspiracy and larceny of 81 900 from
| Bennett in November, 1920, and their
case is cited by the attorney general
as bearing out his charge that Mr..
Tufts neglected TO introduce proper
evidence in the prosecution of certain
cases, although he had or could have
easily obtained such evidence.
Bennett was serving two and one
| half years sentence as result of the
holdup and shooting of a paymaster
at Everett when he Yas approached by
Frank Corcoran and Charles Coreoran
and Captain Gordon. he testified. The
attorney general informed the court
that one of the Corcorans was an en-
ploye OF Sheriff John r. Fsirbairn of
Middlesex county, and the other Of the
county commissioners.
Bennett said that he told the Cor
eorans that if they would bring about
his release, he would pay the sum they
asked, 81 900, but only after his re-
lease.
The Corcorans said they had a
friend, supposed to be business man
who was very close to the district at
torney and that any favor he asked |
of Tufts would be granted hsn pro-
vided Bennett paid the business man |
money, Bennett said
Bennett testified that a day or two !
after he talked with the Corcorans
Captain Gordon approached him saying
that he had been sent "by the Office
across the street" to tell Bennett ,
had to do business with the Corcorans.
Give them the money and you'll he
out by November" Bennett said Cap
tain Gordon told him.
Charles Corroran later told me they
had received the money" Bennett
added.
Bennett Was Not Released
Bennett said he did not obtain the
promised release, and the 81 900 event
ually was returned TO his wife.
He later talked over the matter
with the chairman of the board Of
parole, the sheriff and Assistant At
torney General Teal, he testified, and
gave statements 10 the county COM
to Assistant Attorney GEN I
'ral Hurwitz and later TO District At.
.orney Tufts.
Bennett said that after Tufts had I
old him that his story had been
brought to his attention the district
attorney took him by the coat and
aid
Here, you; il you won't lay of that I
tory about Captain Gordon in my of
ice III indict you"
The attorney general then offered
n evidence copies Of stenographic y
eport Of statements BY Bennett. the {
'orcorans, Captain Gordon, Mrs Anna \
bennett. the probation officer and !
george Butler. Bennetts brother-in- n
lw. Correspondence between the attor- +
ey general and the district attorney {
howed that Allen asked for copies Of
tatements of Bennett and others in q
'ufts' possession concerning the 81 900 q
ayment by Bennett. and that Tufts 81
reduced them although he said he did n
OF feel certain he had a right 10 do so. c
Tufts counsel then read from the "
ttorney generals report 10 Sheriff
saying that the district at cl
Drneys office was not at that time un- rC
nr investigation, that Captain Cor al
on denied the statement attributed TO "
i'm by Bennett and that Benefits ii
atement was unsupported Tufts new cl
: was given a copy Of that report, his u
,unsel said ia
Attorney General Allen retorted that ca
ufts knew Of the investigation before
was presented TO the grand jury, si
lding that Tufts had instituted his Is
.oceedings before that body without pa
with the attorney gener AT
s Office. fe
nder cross examination Bennett ad
tilted that he was told that the dis :,
ict attorney had consistently opposed III
5 release from Jail. He said that he
ID not mentioned the payment
600 until February, three months
terwards. "A
A transcript Of Bennett's testimony
let attorneys Office was read into
let attorneys office was read into
e record. They showed that on those
rasions Bennett said he paid the one
ousand dollars for services rendered du
", not with the intention Of bribing on
yone, and that he did not think Cap ph
in Gordon had anything to do with inl
tting him out Of jail. pr
Bennett testified that Ne did not in Ger
IN the grand jury Of the alleged Sy
fits threat to indict him He said ere
told Sheriff Fairbairn Of the threat wa
, day Il was made and later repeat
il TO Attorney General Allen. To cen
y Is the FIRST time he has told il
der oath.
Asked to repeat what he testified
fits had said in the alleged threat. Tai
nnett declared the district attorneys
rds were:
] don't see what there is to do but
let YOU and Captain Gordon for Nc
berry er.
ater Tufts said. Bennett Ndded. 81
] don't see how ] can indirt Cap fro'
h Gordon. but III have q indict and
~ den
larry Msrston u Everett. chief en- and
esr a. the East Cambridge isil. tes erat
"a that Bennett there told him Of oeiy