Putnam patriot., 1926-09-24

T Thursday afternoon in Che superior court room in Putnam. Raymond Netherbee. charged with murder in the first degree m causing tbe death of the newly born child of Agnes Pvt ko in the carly morning hours of June 30th last, on the bank of the French river in Wilsonville. took the witness stand iu his own behalf This morning he finished his direct testimony and was only asked few questions on cross examination.
 ] For the first time since his arrest. Thursday. July lst, Wetherhee has talked Co others besides his counsel While if has been generally known that his defense was to be complete alibi. none of the facts surrounding his story have been revealed.
 While Wetherhee Is charged with first degree murder, the penalty, if found guilty. being death, there has been little of that tension during the case that is usually present when a man goes on trial for n capital offence. The case has been free from technical ities and there has been Rn absence af wrangling among counsel. IL was not until Thursday afternoon that the first exception to the courts ruling was taken.
 Three Miles Away
 fl tf iarv believes the pytko eirl's steey thev will probably convict. if they believe Metherbee's story he will % free. for he states that se was some three milas from the river bank when tha baby was born. In order Co convict af murder in Che first degree tho jury must also find that tho child of the Pytku girl was born alive. lt ha been e9id ut throughout the trial that the defense will claim that Inc child was not alive at birth or f f was thal fl died eeon after, either from natural causes or due ia the manner nf fls birth.
 Even though the Jury does not cred it he defendants alihi in toto, if f is sufficient t0 raise reasonable doubt in their minds of his presence at the scene. then he will doubtless be ae- quilted. And even though the jury finds guilt it is in its province to bring In a verdict for second degree manslaughter or even assault, as we'll as first degree murder. according to
 
 Wethorbee on the witness stand was as free from signs of emotion and ner- voasness as while seated beside his counsel q sphinx like spectator et what was going on about him He has not been seen to smile in court. On the other hand he has not appeared wor- ried or depressed He has maintained an attitude of stoieism and his feat ures have not betrayed what might be passing in his mind,
 Hush In Court Room
 There came hush of expectancy as the name of Wetherhee was called. The court room for the last few days of the trial has been filed When all seats have been taken no more spec tators have been admitted. \ number of women have sat day after day and listened to the sordid tale unfold.
 The oath was administered Co tho defendant and he stated that he wai twenty y-four years of age on the 25tf of last May Attorney Miron conduct ed the examination and Wctherbe, acknowledged his acquaintance witl Agnes pytlo, charged in the indiet ment with him and the chief witness against him The witness admitted freely that be had been out with ARne. several times Two 0f the times were after she removed from Webster Co WilsonYillc last May
 Nethefboc told of his arrest by Of hcer Streaman Thursday afternoon, July 1st. and of being brought 10 Put nam He said Streaman said to him "There Is young girl in the Day Kim ball Hospital in Putnam in a pitiable condition and claimed ] was responai. ble for her condition.
 Denies Talk to Agnes
 Wetherbee said he worked Tuesday morning until the mill shut down and then went home to dinner. He went back to the mill In his brother Walter's g automobile which his brother parked near the hose house across the street from the mill He and his brothers stayed in the car until the bell began to ring. when he got out. He started for the cloth room. where he was em- ployrd. and met Dock Reiiley and walked with him He saW Agnes Fyt- ko but didn't talk to her She was sitting in an automobile with Stella Johnson and Louise Wheeloek He said he did not talk with Agnes at all nn Tuesday tThis was the day that Agnes said she told him something was going to happen to her and he said he would come ever and help herl.
 Witness said he left the mill at quarter to six that evening and went home and had his supper. and then took his car and drove to the village He parked the ear and boy named | Ducharme sat with him. In q short