New Britain herald., 1926-05-17
HEARING IN COURT
 ON CHAPMAN REV ARD
Continued from First Page)


 hotel and worked secretly with Cap tain Puckett, so nobody would learn who the witnesses were to be. Dr. Spickerman is now in Fort Leaven- worth prison after being convicted
 of violation of the law relative to narcotics, and former prosecuting official in Muncic is also in prison, Mir. Hickey said.
 Mir, Hickey, asked by NIT. Alcorn his opinion of the work of Mir Pucket, replied it was Very valua- ble; in fact, almost priceless. Asked immediately by Judge Man gan what he thought of Chief Hart's work, Mir. Hickey replied that at all times the cooperation given him by the New Britain police was excel. lent. Tn fact" he said, never in my II years experience have I ob- served better cooperation than that given me by Captain Pickett and the New Britain police.'
 Mir. Alcorn said the cooperation of Chief Hart, Sergeant McCue, Nlr. Puckett and other police officials from the very start of the Chapman case, was excellent. He knew, also, that all the officials in Muncie were not honest. The service rendered the state of Connecticut by Mir. Puckett was commendable. He tool, q chance of losing his life when he approached Chapman as Chapman always carried his revolver in his belt. Silk shirts worn by Chapman, which, Mir. Alcorn said were not introduced as evidence in the trial because it was unnecessary to do so, had marks of revolvers on them.
 In the deaths of Anderson and the lives of two of the most desperate criminals in the country were terminated, Mir. Alcorn. said. and it is appropriate to ex- press thanks and commendation to all who assisted in removing them from the earth.
 Judge Mangan said it appears that Chief Hart and Mfr. Puckett are en- titled 10 share in the reward. Also he feels that Mir. Hickey is entitled to share. Mir. Alcorn replied that Mir Hickey would not be permitted to accept 1t if it was given him. H. did only what the state paid him for. If the logic of determining who is entitled to the reward is carried far it might even point to Shean. who, after all. gave the first that it was Chapman who shot Officer Skelly Mir, Alcorn said. Then, too. the police are not allowed to accept rewards. unless heir superiors permit them to do SO. Rewards frequently are turned n to the pension funds.
 Judge Marvin said the end Of a | stirring chapter is now being written. 1 The entire case reflects great credit l 1n the state attorneys office, and in | he ramifications of the investiga- ! ion. it developed that the forces for | avil are almost evenly balanced by ! he forces for good. Credit is due i many who have taken part in the l ,ase, especially the two police off | ,crs-Skelly and the officer who shot ! nderson-whose unflinching devo- ion to their duty and their great l oyalty to the sovereignty they repre- ;cnt. even in the face of death, seems O make the $3,000 reward q paltry ! sum.
 Speaks of Herald Reward.
 Mir Alcorn said the New Britain Herald has offered a $500 reward, i ,ut the court has no power 10 mako disposition of it. He said he believes he Herald would probably be guid- d by the judges decision relative o the states reward.
 After court, Mir. Alcorn said he would recommend, if asked. that lr. Puckett be given $25oo and the $500 Of the states re yard. with the $500 offered by the Herald, be given to the New Britain ,olice. Chief Hart, after the hear ng, said. he would accept whatever ,ortion of the rewards are given. but he board of police commissioners las the power to direct whether the money must go into the pension und or to the chief or any other fficer personally.
 Judge Marvin said he will take hort time to consider the claims f Chief Hart and MT. Puckett be- ore announcing his decision. Mir. 'uckett has already been granted 300 reward offered by the United tates government for Chapmans ar est for the postal robbery.
 Mrs. James Skelly will receive 129 which was found in possession f Walter F. Shean when he was rrested following the murder of 'fficer Skelly on October 12, 1924, '
 was announced today. The money as since been in possession of the ate's attorney as evidence in the hapman murder case. Ii