New Britain herald., 1928-02-15
STEPHENSON TELLS OF ALLEGED PLOT
 ID TAKE HIS LIFE
(continued From First Page)

and that he in turn visited Jackson's home frequently. Stephenson spoke in . clear. rapid manner.
 When ono of the jurors hearing the case requested that Stephenson face the jury, Stephenson compiled, declaring:
 'I want to sec you. too"
 Tells of Talks
 Stephenson told tho jury he had talked with Jackson in regard to the appointment of prosecuting at- torney four or five times before Gov ernor McCray eventually named William H. Remy to tho post. Stephenson said the matter also was discussed with Coffin and Marsh. who also are under indictment.
 Asked what Jackson had said at one meeting regarding the appoint nlent. the witness said:
 "As I recall now, MT. Jackson said he had been informed that Will liam P. Evans was going to resign and he pointed out if a man got it who would use 1t for political pur- poses it might hurt his candidacy" - Jackson Was Apart
 At the time Jackson was secretary of state and a prospective candidate on the republican ticket for gover- nor. Stephenson said Jackson was afraid that if some one unfavorablc to his candidacy gained the prose cutorship. he might use the office to injure Jackson.
 Emsley w. Johnson, special assist ant prosecutor. interrogated Steph- enson. He asked the witness to tell something of Coffin's part in the all legged conspiracy. Stephenson said Coffin told him on one occasion that if someone hostile" got the ap- pointment 1t would break up the group with which he was connected.
 The witness said he had been designated to go to James W. Noel. one of Governor McCray's attorneys. and make him a proposition to do- nate $1o,0OO toward McCray's de- fense fund if McCray would make a favorable appointment. Coffin. ac- cording to Stephenson. declared 1t to "be dangerous business trying to buy a governor"
 Details of Plan
 Relating what he said were details of the plan to gain the office, Steph- enson said: Ut was suggested by some one. I don't recall who. that I see Noel and tell him I would donate s1o.0O0 in the event he could per- suade McCray to name one designat- ed by our group. Marsh introduced me to Noel. I told Noel we were interested in naming a successor to Evans and if he would use his in- fiuence with McCray that I would donate $1o.000 to the defense of Me- Cray. (The defense fund referred to was one being raised by friends of McCray to engage attorneys to de- fend in the courts cases then pend- ing against him. He was charged with embezzlement.
 The former grand dragon said Noel told him to return to his office at 2 o'clock that afternoon. steph- enson said when he saw Noel he was informed that McCray had already made up his mind to the appoint ment and that he resented the at- tempt to influence him and thought an effort was being made 10 "prey on his misfortune"
 It was at that point that Stephen son said: We had 8. sob fest after losing the appointment"
 Fred B. Robinson. former state purchasing agent and campaign manager for Governor McCray, re- stunned the stand at the opening of the court session today but was dis missed after a few prefunctory ques- tions. Yesterday he told the jury that he. as an agent for Coffin and Jackson, visited McCray and offered him s10,o00 if he would name Mc- Donald as prosecutor.