Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-11
NAVAL LIMITATION
PACT IN FINAL FORM
Hope ON SHANTUNC
Court Deaf
to Counsel
of Pelletier

Boston, Jan. 10.-Over the vigorous
protest of counsel for District Attor-
ney Joseph Pelletier, on trial in the
supreme court on multiple charges of
misconduct Attorney General Weston
Allen was permitted today to present
evidence in support Of his allegation
that Pelletier conspired with former
state Senator Charles II. lines and
William j. Corcoran, a former district
attorney of Middlesex county, to pro-
tect ring of automobile thieves in
1918.
The hearing, now in it's tenth day
was on a specification charging that
Pelletier failed from improper mo-
tives to prosecute George T. Perry, a
Boston lawyer, John NJ. Barry, Walter
H. Pembroke and others when they
should have been prosecuted. Perry,
against whom disbarment proceed
ings are pending, and who was indct-
ed in Middlesex county in 1918 for al
legged conspiracy in connection with
the handling of stolen automobiles,
but never prosecuted, was asked to
relate a conversation with Corcoran
and lines. who had been retained to
defend Barry and Pembroke.
Objection made by Pelletier's at
torneys led to an offer of proof by the
attorney general in which he an
nounced he would connect Pelletier
with Corcoran and Innes in a con-
spiracy. On the promise of the at
torney general to connect by direct
tstimony his charge that Pelletier
knew of Corcorans guarantee to
prevent indictments in Suffolk, Mid
dlesex and Essex counties" Perry
was allowed to relate interviews he
claimed to have had with Corcoran.
The witness testified that Barry
and Pembroke. learning that their au-
cd. paid Corcoran a retainer fee of
$4,000 and later an additional $4,000
to protect them from prosecution in
the three counties. Fart of the fee
was to go. to Innes, who was to look
after Essex county, the witness testi-
fed.
Later when Barry and Pembroke
were arrested, Corcoran explained,
Perry testified, 'it was a slip" and
that Corcoran said ne had arranged
to care for the matter in the higher
court.
The witness said that Corcoran
called the three to his Office later and
informed them that another slip"
had occurred and the grand jury had
voted indictments. but they need not
worry-that he had seen the big fell
lows" and everything was all right.
In response to a demand by Barry
Corcoran told them "the big fellow"
was Pelletier. the witness testified.
A few days later Perry and Barry
We're permitted to appear before the
grand jury and a result no indictment
was returned, the witness said.
Clarendon c. Cutler, member OF
the grand jury which heard the Per-
ry case, testified that Pelleticr enter
ed the grand jury room and told the
inquisitors that Perry had been re-
queste permission to appear before
them in his own behalf and that
while 1t was unusual the grand jurors
might grant the request if they cared
to.
Perry testified that Corcoran in
formed Barry and Pembroke, when
they expressed doubt as to his ability
to stop the Suffolk indictments. that
Times placed Kinney. Gan assistant
district attorney in Pelletier's Of
fee and Kinney is handling this case"
He told them also. the witness tes-
tilted, that he "knew enough about
both Pelletier and Tufts to hang
them"
Tufts was then district attorney of
Middlesex county but has since been
removed in proceedings similar to
those now before the supreme court
in connection with Pelletier.