Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-28
DEFENSE IS SECURING
 FREEDOM FOR BALL PLAYERS

Chicago July 27.-The defense in the | baseball trial today in three hours tore down the network of evidence woven by the state in seven days sufficiently to bring immediate freedom to two defend- ants, obtained tentative promise from the presiding judge for free dom for three others and presented an alibi supported by two witnesses and numerous written records for sixth of the eleven men on trial.
 As result of the defense's first attack Louis and Ben Levy of Kokomo, Ind, walked from the court legally free of any connection with the deal through which it is alleged Chicago White Sox players agreed to throw the 1919 worlds series for. $1OO, 900. Buck Weaver and Happy Felsch, once idols of the American league, and Carl Fork of St Louis were promised acquittal by Judge Friend un- less further evidence is presented against them, and David Zelcer of Des Moines,
 la, presented an alibi through his own testimony which was corroborated by witnesses and documents introduced as | evidence.
 Tomorrow the defense will begin its task of trying to free Joe Jackson, Eddie
 Cicotte, Claude Williams, Chick Gand'l
 and Swede Risberg.
 Weaver Feisch and Risberg will testi- " n Lne1r own uelenSeg hllu OHlSh 0dAi- | dil probably coming next.
 The state rested its case today after Billy Maharg of Philadelphia gave testi- mony corroborating that previously given by Bill Burns. the admitted accomplice- The defense then presented motions for dismissal of the charges against the
 Levys, York FeiSch, Zelcer, Weaver and Joe Jackson. The state promptly dropped the cases against the Levys but refused
 to take similar action for the others,
 holding that they might be further in-
 crirninated through defense testimony. ' Zelcer, identified by Maharg and Burns i. in his own behalf, testified that he was
 in Chicago Sept. 2s, leaving that night , for Cincinnati and arriving there Sept
 2s, the day Bill Burns had testified he } conferred with him in New York over the alleged conspiracy.
 l Returning to Chicago after the two . Cincinnati games, Zelcer said he was
 confined to his hotel room there for three days through illness.
 ) His testimony was confirmed by a wit
 ness who went to a ball game here witf him Sept 2o and then travelled to Gin } cinnati with him Hotel records confirm } ing these dates were admitted as evi' . bdence, as were bills for drugs and medi- cal service the days he said he was sick
 q don't know Maharg or Burns, or any of the defendant ball players, and neVel saw Maharg or Burns until they testl fled here," Zelcer testified. T have knowr . AtteM for years, but did not know any s thing of this alleged world series deal t and Maharg and Burns have made biz mistake in saying l am the man the!
 knew as Bennett"
 !, The testimony presented agains g Weaver and Felsch included only th' statement of Burns that he saw them il :. room in Cincinnati with other playeri ' who were said to have been in the al |. legged conspiracy.
 This testimony was enumerated bI q his statement under oath that he Wasn e sure Weaver and Felsch were there. . Harry Redmon of St. Louis, who sai'
 York, told him he was the little redhea' l, from St. Louis who started the deal" i e the only man who has testified agains York
 e The only evidence against Louis Lev, }. was that he bet on Cincinnati, and Bel Levy was never mentioned in the con
 spiracy.
 e Buck Weaver and Happy Felsch wer P tonight receiving scores of eongratula ,. tions, telegrams and telephone message s from friends.
 l. Weaver said he wanted to get bac It into major league baseball, but Felsc l. wasn't so sure about wishing to pla
 again.
 y If Judge Friend takes that attitud, m there can't be any doubt in anyone l. mind about my innocence, said Weave d I'm sure that no one will try to kee :" me out of baseball after that l don
 want to play with the White Sox an
 more, for I don't want to work for NJ s Comiskey. I'd like to be traded-prefei
 bly to New York or Cleveland-ard pla t. the outfeld, my original position. ,r If you play the outaeld. then I'll pla D. the infield," broke in Felsch.