New Britain herald., 1926-05-17

to apprehend the slayer of Officer
 Skelly. There was not a spark of |
 evidence, not any finger prints, as I 1 Understand, and only for Shean,
 Chapman might not have been
 caught. There was no bargaining.
 Shean performed an act as conspicu-
 ous as some of the sons of your
 state, Your Honor, although it was
 a peculiar service. He has, never
 made an effort to ascertain the con-
 sequences of his part in the burglary
 and murder.
 "Shean had a good record in Springfield. He went to high school | and on graduation, entered business. From what the newspapers pub lished about him during the Chap
 man trial the public gathered the 1 Impression that he was a pretty bad sort of a boy and a pretty bad sort l
 of man, but I want to call your
 honor's attention to the fact that | this is the first time Shean has ever lappeared in any court charged with an offense."
 Attorney Granfeld then went on | to tell about a transaction with a man named Baker, which was dis cussed during the Chapman trial, l but the fact is, according to the at torney, that Shean was forced to l. pay several thousands of dollars to make good for Baker. During the recital of this transaction, Shean l, ioI, in ciation of his counsels statementO Predicament Surprised Judge At this point, Attorney Grantield l read a paragraph from a letter from Principal Ellis, and Shean gulped. | The attorney then read a complete 1 letter from Justice Carroll to Mir. | Shcan, father of the accused man, as follows: Dear MT. Shean: The last l time I saw you I thought you looked ] .very much discouraged. As an old ! friend of yours let me say to you | don't lost hope; keep up your cour- l ase and don't allow your afflictions | Ito take hold of you. Mrs. Shean | will soon leave the hospital, well as | ever, and you vii have her with you | to cheer and comfort you.
 "Of course, you are sad about ! Walter. I cannot blame you for
 this. I have known Walter almost | since he was baby and no one was | more surprised than I was at his misfortune. I never felt that Walter
 was vicious or in any way cruel and 1 I still think him to be without fault in this respect. He always appeared | to me to be kind, and industriaus.
 T think all his mistakes and of
 fences came from the fact that he was easily influenced and controlled by others. He was, I think, easily deceived and once his confidence was gained his self control was gone and his supposed friends had complete dominion over him. This, in my
 opinion. was the sole cause of his downfall. You must keep up your courage. You know and he knows now the danger to be avoided. It has been a sad lesson but l hope, a
 good one. He has nearly paid his debt to society and you will.I hope. when he is returned to you. have no
 further cause 10 fear about in the
 future. You have been a good i father. With best wishes, sincerely, | James B. Carroll"
 Peck Praises AIcOrn
 Attorney Peck said Mir. Alcorn !, was very fair in his statement of the It facts in the case. Shean gave the .t police the information that resulted |, in the arrest, conviction and eXecu- tion of Chapman, '.who was, think, one of the most desperate charac- ters that has ever been in the state of Connecticut" MT. Peck pointed out that Shean has already served practically two years In jail.
 States Attorney Alcorn said the letter of Justice Carroll impressed him greatly and came as a complete 1 10 him. The state of Con nectcut is indebted 10 him for his :, letter. as acts of that kind promote = justice.
 Justice Carroll is an honorable man and his sentiments make ii easier. Mir. Alcorn said, 10 make the
  My estimate of Shean is that he is not burglar and a murderer" MT. tlcorn said. "He has not the cour- lge to do those acts. He was easily ed. There are two things which he nay overlook, and which the public, %. may overlook. and I wish at his time to bring them 10 the at ention of the court. First. Shean lid go 10 the scene Of the burglary n his own car. He went in Chap !. mans car and he was not equipped | O commit a crime. He did not have, I% ! pistol and so far as we know, he4fs lever owned a pistol. The only gun le ever had was the one Chapman Y gave him. Second, Shcan told on MI 'hapman within half an hour of the i burglary. That was before I even ,new there had been a crime com nitted, and to this day. ha has not, z. 0 my knowledge. inquired as to D what punishment is to be given him. II
 T recommend a sentence of from Ii me to six years in states prison. h which I believe is ample in view of | he service he has rendered the Il tate of Connecticut, from one to L hree on the first count. and three ears on the second count. K
 Peck Objects to Maximum n
 Attorney Peck said the minimum II sentence met with his approval but t' le objected to the maximum. He pointed out that the maximum a. owed by the statutes is eight years md In view Of the fact that Shean ' ,as already served practically two Il ears. which should be taken into U six years is actually d he maximum that can be given. A The states attorney recommends six l. cars which Is too severe in view Of !" he service rendered to the state by ,hean, his previous good record and lis good record since being in jail