New Britain herald., 1925-04-02
CHAPMAN ON STAND l FAIRIES ATTACKS
Continued from First Page,)

amined the five bullets and 1t was
 his opinion that the murder bullet and the one taken from the shelf in the store were not fired from the same gun as the other three.
 In giving the reason for this start ling statement, Peterson said that on the murder bullet and the one found in the store, there appeared e sec- ond mark that was not on the three bullets fired as tests. by the prose- cution.
 He said that he had examined the bullets superficially and found that the marks testified to by the experts yesterday were very similar but he could not state positively one way or theother without much closer examination.
 Alcorn asked him if he had taken any measurements and he said he had not. He said the same lines were on all the bullets. When asked If he would say that the bullets were fired from the same gun, he said he would not say 50 without making measurements. Mir. Alcorn did not wish to question him further.
 Chapman Takes Stand.
 As Peterson left the stand a hush fell over the courtroom as defense counsel went into a short conference With Chapman. and a murmur of excitment. accompanied by a gener- al craning of necks followed immedi- ately as Chapman, the i'm perturb- bable, glided swiftly past the counsel table and seated himself on the wit ness stand. The moment to which all had been looking forward had arrived and the notorious criminal was ready to deny by his own mouth that the bullet that ended the life of Patrolman skelly was fired from a gun in his hand.
 The modern rallies made an ideal witness, making 8 deep impression on everyone in the courtroom. He exhibited a remarkably keen knowledge of the law and all seemed agreed that he possesses an exten- slye knowledge of jury psychology.
 He spoke with a decided English accent. At times he spoke 50 rapid- " that on several occasions he had to be asked to speak slowly as the court stenographer was falling be- hind in the testimony.
 He displayed not the least sign of nervousness and awaited questions both from his own counsel and AL corn. Not satified with answering the questions asked, he insisted on several occasions on going into all details. His actions and conduct as he testified before the 12 men in whose hands his' fate lies, was de- 'cribed by members of the bar as he most clever bit of acting ever l 'een in the superior court. Before he l finally completed his testimony, he | eft the witness stand twice to con- 'ult with his senior counsel and re- turned to continue his story. 1
 Tells of Meeting Shean
 He started at 1O:52 o'clock and in lnswer to questions by Judge l iroechl he gave the following story |
 He met Walter shean in June ! 1924 when he and "Dutch" Ander- 'on went to Springfield at Ander- i on's suggestion. He was never in Sew Britain unless he passed trough 1t on the road to New York. Ie knew nothing about the city and lad never heard the name before. Ie had the revolver which experts lad testified was the murder gun Ihen he was captured in Muncie. T
 On cross. examination by States Lttorney Alcorn he told the follow ng story.
 He had been convicted Of crime n four occasions. He was last con- ined at Atlantic for holding up a few York mail truck and escaped n March 26, 1921. He has known .nderson for eight years and has let many friends of Shean's.
 He denied that he carried @ gun t the time the New York mail -uck was held up. but Anderson ad a nickel plated gun.
 Alcofn and Chapman Argued
 Here an argument arose between lcorn and Chapman regarding the amous s2,400,000 robbery, and the fitness said he had never admitted is implication in that robbery. |,
 "Why didn't you say before that ou weren't there instead of giving ie answers you did?" ,
 Alcorn asked:
 "Because I don't want to 80 Into nv argument about that now 7 hapman answered, adding. "I was onvicted of the crime in the courts nd will stand by that conviction (
 At Muncie he said he shot at . ,meone he did not know was a po- He was carrying s7,4O0 on is person at the time when a man q Sheu WuClC oSAhS NNNNNA | ouse was and then showed the !uzzle of a gun against his heart.
 "He was not very prepossessing :, How at best" Chapman said, and g shot at him to protect himself nd his money. .
 "Didn't you say all you wanted as another shot at that policeman lcorn asked. "I don't think I would be such ,ol to say anything like that lapnan answered. Where were you the week before ,u were in Parkersburg. W. Fa.?" hat states were you in during ugust and September" q was in Muncie part of the time, est Virginia, Ohio of course, and Q the trip east went through New York and Massa- Iusetts." Were you in Elmira on August Il 2"
 ''No."