New Britain herald., 1926-03-30
CHAPMAN WILL
 CONTINUE FIGHT
(Continued From First Page)

another conference before the next
 move could be made. The main
 purpose of the defense--to get the
 Chapman case back into the courts Was checked by the federal court
 ruling, and it brought from Fred
 erick J. Groehl, chief counsel for Chapman. the admission that he
 was "a little bit disappointed" but
 'still fighting"
 Judge Thomas ruling was de-
 clsive. Hc could see mo justifca- ton for granting the petition" and
 with these words he eliminated all hopes of the defense of getting a
 fourth reprieve through this court
 for tho silent prisoner at Wethers- field" who received word of another defeat without comment.
 As a last resort, the defense prob
 ably will attempt to save the life of Chapman through the state courts, but even thls program was in doubt
 when today's conference was called. Offers of Help
 Many offers of assistance to Chap man are said to have been received by his attorneys and those were 10 be studied at the conference with the, hope that some scrap of evil dence may be discovered which may be used as the basis for an appeal for a new trial for Chapman as his hour of doom approaches.
 Of those who have expressed willingness 10 come forward and tell their story In behalf of the prisoner only one has materialized. He is Earl w. Wetmore. a Lynn, Mass. student and waiter who has signed an affidavit that he saw a man he in New Yorll on the night before the mur-.S Of Patrolman James Skely in NrW Britain.
 "Contempt," Alcorn Declares Ray M, Wiley of Springfield, Mass, who presented yesterdays petition In behalf of the condemned man, was criticized by States At torney Hugh NJ. Alcorn for state. ments appearing In the petition which Mir. Alcorn declared didn't come from healthy mind" He called the courts attention to one para graph which he said contained allegations which were "impertinent and offensive to the president. to the attorney general to the court which has passed on this case, and to me-" The states attorney who prosecuted ! Chapman in the superior court and |. has blocked Chapmans moves in
 higher courts to escape the galows, | declared that tho counsel for tho ! convicted murderer should bo judged in contempt of court and thAt l. his disbarment would be moved by . the states attorney were Mir. Wiley . 9 Connecticut lawyer. i
 Nothing New, Judge Says
 Tn denying the petition Judge
 Thomas. who called special session
 of the United States district court to
 hear the application. said he saw
 in it nothing new" since virtually all of the points raised had been
 passed upon by other procedures.
 In reply to MT. Wileys contention that Chapman had not had a fair trial. Judge Thomas said that all elements pointed out that the trial
 had been fair and that the chief jus tice of the state supreme court had disposed of any unfair aspects in the courts decision written by him.
 Whether an appeal will be taken immediately to higher court, Mr. NEH'1I a 10 hearing. He called the attention Of the court to a recent act which in effect permits d review by a higher court of orders of q federal judge concerning writ of habeas corpus proceedings.
 Wiley Constantly Rcbuked
 Almost from the outset Mr. Wiley who arrived after court had ad- 1ourned for the day, neCcssitating the special session, was questioned from the bench and rcbullcd or cor rected by the states attorney.
 Stating that he would refer casu- ally 10 the various grounds on which the petition was based, the Spring. field lawyer was launching into discussion 10 the effect that Chap man had been hastily and hurricdly ; brought to this state 10 be tried for murder when the court interrupted.
 "Why didn't ycu bring haboas corpus proceedings thon?' asked Judge Thomas.
 That in itself was not sufficient time 10 bring complaint" MT. Wiley answered, continuing that there had been two reasons why that had not been done. one Of which. he s"id, z was lack of counsel for Chapman.
 Absolutely untrue" Mr, Alcorn cut in.
 Judge Thomas, mentioning tho fact that Mr. Groohl had rcprescnt- ed Chapman in an early proceeding [ involving the $AI0O which had been C taken from the bandit at thr timr Of i his arrest Was Of tho opinion that T there had been plenty of time for q Chapman 10 sro counsel q
 Hot Words Pass
 MT. Alcon declared that lie re- | scented tho appearance of Nr. Wiley ( as "an eleventh hour adjunct of the ]! cotcrio Of lawyers for Chapman" F and not knowing what had passed { before.
 Replying that it didn't matter { what hour h" arrived since he was a there. MT. Wiley said my time is r limited the same as the states at- c torncy. l don't remember anything t and I don't know everything. I'm t willing to be prompted if the occa- sion arises" !
 Judge Thomas and the attorney |