Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-11-17
HALL-MILLS TRIAL
lcontinued from Paua Qnel

he had the assurance of doctors that
Mrs. Gibson, sick for 10 days in a
Jersey City hospital, will be able to
give her testimony and undergo a
reasonable cross examination on
Thursday The prosecutor also indi-
Gated that with Mrs. Gibson's 'testi-
mony his case will be practically
closed. More than rs witnesses have
been placed on the stand in the effort
of the state to connect Mrs. Frances
Stevens Hall and her brothers, Henry
and Willie Stevens. with the murder of
Mrs. Mills.
Over objection of the defense, the
state today succeeded in offering two
witnesses in an effort to show that
detectives working for Mrs. Hall made
efforts to suppress testimony. A diary,
previously identified as having been
written by the slain minister and
found in the home of the choir singer
after her DEATH was read to the jury
as was copy of a prayer the Rev.
Mr.. Hall wrote for Mrs. Mills when
she went to hospital for an opera
ton in 1922.
Other documentary evidence admit
ted was statement by Henry stevens,
made to Jersey City police officers in
vestigating the double killing. The
state foiled by a court ruling in an at
tempt to have the jury visit the spot
where the bodies were found, tried
unsuccessfully to have pictures of the
scene projected in the courtroom.
Expectation that Mrs. Gibson. re-
garded as the states star witness. will
be able to appear Thursday. means
that the case may go to the jury by
thanksgiving Day. The prosecutor
has said that direct examination of
the witness will require only about 30
minutes. Extended cross examination
has been indicated by defense ceun-
sci. but 1t was expected that Mrs.
Gibson's testimony will not occupy
more than one day.
The defense has about 40 witnesses
to present and members of the defense
legal staff suggested that less than
one week would be needed to present
their side.
Mrs. Gibson was stricken in court
the first day of the trial. November 5,
and removed to Somerville hospital.
Ten days ago, under the direction of
the special prosecutor, she was taken
to Jersey City hospital.
Defense counsel today showed no
enthusiasm over the adjournment I'M
til Thursday. 1t was suggested that
sworn proof of Mrs. Gibson's condition
should be presented.
The states attack on methods of
detectives working for Mrs. Hall was
made just before the luncheon recess
today when two witnesses were called
to testify as to the activities of Felix
di Martini, private detective employ
ed by the woman defendant. Peter
Sommer, detective, said that he was
instructed by Di Martini to visit cigar
stores and other places where persons
talk in New Brunswick. to see what
he could hear, with particular empha-
sis on those giving information of
fensive" to Mrs. Hall.
Mrs. Mary Demarest was then re-
called to the stand to relate con-
Versation with Di Martini. Mrs. De-
marest had appeared in the case be-
fore to say that she saw Henry Ste
vens in New Brunswick the day after
the double Staying. She said that the
detective asked her how she would
like ito have enough money to clear
OF the mortgase. and a little more"
Mrs. Demarest added on cross exami-
nation that she did not know Di Mar
tinfs name until he revealed 1t to her
when she had ordered him out of the
house with a statement that she want
ed mo blood money"
Reading of the slain minister's diary
seemed to disappoint the crowd
thronging the small courtroom the
text developing few expressions not
contained IN the minister's letters to
Mrs. Mills read last week.
The diary, evidently written while
the minister was mentioning In Maine,
told Of the wish that Mrs. Mills might
see these islands," Describing
mountain climb he said You have
been with me every STEP"
A statement from Henry Stevens
given to the police and read into the
record, attributed to the defendant ex-
pert craftsmanship with a shotgun hut
claim that he had not fired a vevol-
yer In rs years. He was quoted as
saying In reply to a question as to
knowledge of relations between his
and Mrs. Mills. II
never knew there was such a woman
Tne sfate's Testimony tcS<v was