New Britain herald., 1923-06-07
Dead Man Went Into Details About Killing Wife, Freely Admitting Holding Her in Water Until She Drowned
Chief Hart Denies "Third Degree" Methods Were Used in Obtaining State- ment - Slayer Satisfied With Treatment.

The complete confession of John A.
 Carlson that he murdered his wdfe.
 Gerda Nelson Carlson on March s<
 hy holding her In the water in .
 brook at the foot Of Stanley street was secured today from the police by
 representatives of the press. The con- fession was made 10 Sergeant Deteo- tive William F. Mccue Of the New
 Britain police department and Ed- ward A. Hickey. a county detective.
 There is much in the confession which Is irrelevant and not of inter est because 1t deals with carison's earlier life. his relatives and oSher ] subjects which have no direct con- ! nection with the crime. In the oon- l fession, Carlson told of his frequent 1 auarrels with his wife and her acuu- sations of his infidelity. the name of a woman whose husband is a motor man being mentioned.
 Denies Third Degree" Methods. When reporter secured the copy of the confession. Chief Hart was asked whether any coercion had been used by the police in securing 1t. as had been charged.
 Chief Hart denied that third de. gree" methods were employed.
 Before the examination was fin- ished Chief Hart was called into the conference by Detective Hickey. he explained today, and Carlson in his presence said that he was not abused or was not forced in making the con- fession.
 According to Chief Hart. Carlson is reported as having said: No. l was not abused and have not been forced into making this confession. What have told, I have told willingly and am glad that it is off my mind'
 The confession. with questions and answers, referring to the day of the alleged crime, follows. with Sergeant McCue making the inquiries:
 c. From East street. Now tell us what happened when you were going down Stanley street.
 A. Well. we was not arguing about anything: just what she said.--she said, T ought to have better clothes: never had enough clothes and so on; she says T could have better man
  the last ten years,
 Sergeant McCue: All right, go ahead.
 Q. Then what happened? A. Then I drove right down the street there, drove right into the ditch.
 Q. You drove right into the ditchf Yes.
 Q. Which side was the ditch on? A. The right side.
 Q. On the right side9 A. Yes
 Q. Why did you drive into the fitch? A, I was thinking to Kill myself her too.
 c. You were thinking to kill your 'elf and her too? A. Yes
 .. How fast did you drive the ar? A. 25 miles an hour.
 Q. Was there a pond along side he ditch?
 A. Yes. there is pond right here: they been digging out for his
 Sergeant McCue: New Park. Q. Was there water thereo A. -es.
 Q. How deep was the watera A. don't know; over two feet: two or hree feet.
 Q. Two to three feet of water? A. 'es.
 e. What happened when you rove the car into the pond? A. Turtled right over. Q, What happened then? A. Yell, we got all stirred up in the ater there, both of us. Q. Tell us what you did A. Well, le got under me. Sergeant McCue: MT. Carlson. just minute; You have already told us Id explained to us; now we want to ave you tell us again; we want to ave you use just the same kind of nguage that you used when you told ergeant Hickey and myself. A. Yes I know. Sergeant McCue: Just that same nd of language. Tell us what hap med when the car went over A. She got under there and I held IT there. see. Q. How did you hold her there?
 Sitting right on top of her c. On her head. A, No. on the 'dy. O On her body A. Yes C. And you held her down X. ss. Q. Until she drowned? A Yes. c. Did she make any attempt to [ up? A. No. Q. You wouldn't let her mp? A. ]. Sergeant McCue: What was your tention when you held her down? hat was your intention when you Id her down? A. My intention was she always ed to kill me and thought would l her. O. So you held her down to kill r? A. Yes 2. And you drove in the ditch to her? ,. When you started to go in the
 (Continued on Third Paral