The New York herald., 1922-12-31
Tale of Automobile Head
lights Falls When Man
Tells of His Lantern.
POLICEMAN CAUSED TURN
Related an Incident That
>idetracked Testimony and
Saved Innocent Persons.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YoRKn nEsAIp
New BRUNSWICK. N. J., Dec 3d.
The new evidence collected in the
Hall Mills murder in the last two
weeks will probably turn the case in
an entirely different direction when
IT is finally presented to the Somerset
Grand Jury. This was learned to-day
through source close to the officials
working on the matter, and is sup
ported by some evidence that has been
known for many weeks, but in the
previous presentation was considered
of little Importance. In the new case
little dependence is placed on any OF
the several stories told by Mrs. Jane
Gibson.
II became known also how the Glib
son story was finally reduced TO such
an uncertain status as to cause the
last Grand Jury to refuse to indict
certain persons because of it. The
main witness who disproved Mrs. Glib
of Middlebush, who knew Mrs. Gibson
we'll The discovery of Sipel was due
70 the vigilance of local traffic police
man. who had seen Sipel driving his
Ford car through New Brunswick
with only a small farm lantern hung
on his radiator instead of the regular
lights.
The policeman reported this to Mich
ael J. OConnell, Chief of Police. who
banded II to the other authorities. This
minor detail proved important, for Mrs.
Gibson contended that certain things
and persons could be seen by the lights
from his two Ford headlights.
Mrs. Gibson Sees sipeI.
she saw Sipel at the latter's farm.
Just before the case was 10 go before
the last Grand Jury and asked him If
he could not state he had seen certain
things. This he declined TO do. and then
went TO the proper authorities with his
story, and told them OF Mrs. Glbson's
visit. He subsequently, told this In de-
tail to the Grand Jury in Someryille. In
the light of the new evidence. which
almost places the hour of the murder
st 9:l5 or $50. Mrs. Gibson's stories are
weakened further as she had fixed the
time later than 10 O'Clock and possibly
as late as eleven.
With the time of the killing placed a,
$50 or earlier Mrs. Halls account of her
movements on the night Of the murder
IS strengthened Granting the murders
we're committed by $3.50. she was at that
time still In her home. and engag ged in
putting her young niece to bed. She
was seen by several persons In the Hal
home after she had put the little girl tc
bed. and was reading in her room. Her
Dccount of hor actions that night are
verified by Witnesses until just before
10 o'clock.
The investiga tors have found at least
three reputable persons who fix the time
Of the four shots as between and 80
Two have been able TO place the time
as being within fifteen minutes by clocks
or watches.
Witnesses Not Called Before.
None Of these persons were called be.
fore the Grand Jury when the case was
last presented. They will be permitted
TO testify when the Grand Jury takes up
the case. as will several other persons
who appeared before the last jury.
Despite the fact that Mrs Hall in
tends to start for Europe on January
20 her chauffeur. accompanied by WILLIE
Stevens, went TO the local bureau OF
licenses and renewed the automobile
license for another year
IL was enormously stated yesterday
, that Special Deputy Attorney Mott has
Asaid that the new evidence would elimi-
tatc Mrs. Hall and give her and her
Brother Willie stevens. p clear alibi
Mr.. Mott In an interview on Friday re-
fused to discuss the So except to say
that he was stili work 4 and that prog
ross bad been made. The Information
regarding the new evidence and the fact
that the time of the murder had been
almost definitely established came from
investigators working within New
Rrflngwfck