New Britain herald., 1925-03-18
IDENTIFY CHAPMAN | IN SHELLY MURDER
(Continued from First Page)
ing on the motion for the change

HE OIl IHS HlOlIOu loI lhV ShohoN of venue.
 Chapman Positively Identified
 Witnesses who saw the murderer of Skelly on the morning of the crime were asked whether they identified Chapman as the man. and with one exception, they were posi- tive. Bernard Carlson, the Con- necticut company employ who met the murderer in the alley through which he made his escape, was not positive in his identification, saying that he resembled him very much, but as he had obtained only a pass ing glance at the man and had paid no particular heed to him at the time, he could not be certain.
 James White, proprietor of a Main street livery stable, was posi- tive in his Identification, saying that he was sure that Chapman was the man who passed him on Chestnut street as he was standing outside a blacksmith shop waiting to have a horse shod. White said that he was standing outside the shop when a man appeared before him hurry ing along Chestnut street. He said that because of this fact he took particular notice and identified Chapman sitting in the prisoners pen yesterday as the man.
 Other witnesses who told the states attorney that they were cer- tain of their identity of the noto- rious criminal, were Miss Lillian Knell, the waitress at the Old Col ony Inn on the Meriden turnpike who served Walter J. Shean and his partner on the evening preceding the murder here; Adolph LaChance of Plainville, who was standing out side the door of the Davidson & Leventhal store when the murderer emerged: Henry Helleher, who was standing near LaChance, and Pa trolman Alfred Atwater, the police man who preceded skelly into the store and who was ordered to duck as the murderer opened fire with his gun.
 Patrolmen Walter MaIona, who arrested Shean on Church street John Liebler, who assisted Malona, and Clarence Lampher, who fol- lowed the murderer out of the store and saw him disappear down the Beaton X Caldwell alley, were also called upon to tell their stories of the affair.
 Shean and AiCorD Confer Shean. partner in the burglary, was also interviewed by Alcorn to clear up any vagueness or omis- sions that might exist in his con- fession. There has been no indica- ton thus far as to what charge Shean will be called upon to an swer after he has served in the role of star witness for the state against Chapman. It appears to be taken for granted about the superior court that he will not be called to answer the charge of murder as an
  he is now held without bail. That he was simply a tool employed by Chapman is the prevailing opinion and it is possible that he will be called upon to plead only to 8 charge of burglary in connection with the break.
 The identity of the young woman who was in constant company with Shean during yesterdays proceed ings has become known. She was revealed as Miss Herminia Gruend. Ter, Sheans sweetheart. She was in the employ of Shean at his office in Springfield and has steadfastly kept confidence in Shean. although yesterday was the first time she has made an appearance at Hartford.
 Chapman has a right 10 go to triaI before 12 men who are unaware oI the fact that he has the reputation of being a criminal and 1t is i'm possible 10 get l2 such men ir' Hartford county. Attorney Murphy claimed in his closing argument or : his motion for a change Of venue late yesterday afternoon. He said that Chapman would go to trial lr Hartford county under a sever; handicap as a result of newspaper accounts Of the murder, his alleged connection with 1t, and his pas record. Taking States Attorney Al corns claim that the same condition exists in other counties because o the widespread interest in the case Murphy said that if by changing tt another county. Chapman could g' ! 10 trial under less Of handicap. l was the duty Of inc court 10 gran the motion. |, Attorney Murphy look up ovei half an hour in his closing argn ment, and when he had completed