New Britain herald., 1926-12-01
PROSECUTOR MAKES PLEA ID THE COURT
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SAN~S during the conversation the bailiff accompanying Tillman stood ten feet away.
 Detectives W ere sent out to bring in witnesses. The defendants showed little apparent concern over the pro- ceedings. Simpson stood with his back to defense counsel. gazing across the courthouse lawn while awaiting the trial. Then he asked to be excused and left the room. Defense attorneys conferred while McCarter began turning law books.
 The motion by the state for a mistrial in homicide Is believed almost without precedent in this state.
 During the intermission the court room doors were opened. It was the most informal period of the trial at the most crucial hour and seemed like the lull preceding a storm.
 After listening to all the affidayits, Judge Parker said he would take under advisement the motion for a mistrial. The jury was brought back into the courtroom.
 Simpson suggested that the de- fense might wish to be heard before the jury was recalled, but, Justice Parker said: If the court thinks anything should be done about this matter. the defense will be given an opportunity to be heard"
 Letter to Governor
 Gov. A. Harry Moore, who ap- pointed Simpson, today has a full report upon the prosecutors req sons for setting a precedent in New Jersey by a prosecution demand for a mistrial on the grounds that the jury is prejudiced. Simpson asks that executive notice be taken of the situation.
 Announces Decision
 Mir. Simpson announced his de- cision to ask mistrial last night after checking up letter from the keeper of a hotel where the jurors are quartered. The hotel keeper says he overheard conversations that re- vealed the jury had decided upon acquittal before all the evidence was in. and that jurors had spoken slightingly of Simpson and the states star witness, Mrs. Jane Gib- son, who claims to have witnessed the murder.
 In his letter to Governor Moore, Simpson calls conditions in Somer- vile ''so bad as to be disgusting" and charges that the jury is load ed" and some of its members stu pid and unintelligent."
 Says Jury Is Loaded"
 T am, of course, not working for conviction at all hazards in the trial of Frances Hall, Henry Stevens and William Stevens" says the let ter, but everyone in Somerville knows that the jury is 'loaded,'" it read. Some of them sleep during the evidence; they receive telephone messages without any guard; also receive visitors who talk to them without any guard or sheriff's officers
 Jurors Left Unguarded
 "The thing is so absolutely open that one of the guards left them the other day and went into a drug store. while the jury wandered along the street unguarded. I have re- ports that the jurors are so stupid that is, one or two of them-that they have openly boasted they didn't care what the evidence was, but they would find against the state.
 Tt seems to me that the chief executive of the state, having sworn to see that the laws are faithfully executed, should take some notice of this condition"
 Expect Speedy AcquitaI
 The three defendants, Mrs. Fran ces Stevens Hall and her brothers, Henry and Willie Stevens, have not appeared perturbed by the contro-