New Britain herald., 1925-03-30
Lampher Caught Skelly

Patrolman Clarence Lampher was called and he corroborated the tes- timony of the previous two. He told of Malona and Iicbler running to- ward Church street and Atwater and Skelly started down the alley to the rear Of the department store. At water was the first to enter the store followed by Skelly.
 Immediately after Skelly entered the witness testified that he heard three shots and as he stepped up the stairs, Skelly fell back into his arms, his right leg being rendered help less by the shot, Lampher then sat the injured patrolman down and ran to the front of the store, but he at no time caught a glimpse of the murderer.
 Officer Lampher stated that when he arrived Johnson directed the off, ccrs 10 the man at Church and Main streets. He was present at the hear ing given Shean on Monday morning October l , in police court. He heard the testimony of SkeIly's identifica- ton of Shean as the man who shot him. He saw Officer Atwater at the rear door as he lowered Skelly. He saw him later in the morning.
 Dramatic Moment in Court A hush fell over the court room when States Attorney Alcorn called out "Patrolman Alfred E. Atwater' as the next witness. The testimony Of the policeman has been the cen ter of much discussion and 1t has been conceded that Atwater was tc : be the object of scathing attack { by the defense.
 ! Atwater took the witness stand and as he began his story there Wa' not another sound to be heard 1T the courtroom. The policeman tolc of his arrival at police headquarters that morning and of the subesquen trip to the Davidson & Leventha store.
 That man there appeared ant fired three rapid shots" was thu statement of the witness as he dra maticaIly pointed to Chapman, seat cd at the counsel table. The state nlent came after Atvater told of en tering the rear door of the store ant turning to the left behind a counter man jumped into view from the lief toward the stairway. Shortly afte Sergeant Matthias Rival arrived an' told the witness to stay there in th' store and guard the store. Atwate said that he looked about the req of the store and maintained guar at the back door thinking that tn bandit would make a dive for tn back door.
 Policeman Atwaler underwent severe griling at the hands Of Groeh He suid he was 5N years old and ha to wear glasses to read. He ha been a policeman for 20 years.
 Grochl asked him if he was eve disciplined for cowardice and he de niod that he was.
 "You you remember fire in tn Smith block or Lafayette street?
 "Yos. I was called for my action on that case for opening the door instead Of closing them"
 "wcren't you in house about block away"
 "No."
 "Dtl you ever hear Of this be fore? ?"
 NO"
 Officer Atwater said he got a "fair fly good" look at the man in tn store
 He noticed his high cheek bone but said he didn't have time 10 SC his eyes. Hc did not resembl Shean. He did not tell anyone wh was coming downstairs. He saw th pictures of Chapman for first tim that day. and never before that. H remained from a half 10 three-quar ters of an hour in the store.
 Did you go to the front Of th store?"
 No"
 Did you See the man runnin through the store? ?" No"
 Where were you. behind th counter on your stomach?" No. I was on my knees" Atwater stated that he couldn hear the man running because h had rubber soles on. Sergeant MC Cue told him so.
 Were you criticized for your aC