The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-07-29

toxic0l0giSt, and Dr J. SteWals Rooney, Harvard pathoiogist, already have testified that fire. Captain William J. Costello was a victim of cyanide poisoning despite objections of Attorney Francis E. Rafter, chief defense counsel.
 Judge Frederick w. Fosdick gave the "smiling widows" law yers a full weekend to study the highly technical evidence offered by the commonwealth when he de. creed that no session would be heia today. Court will re-convene Monday morning at 10 o'clock. :.
 pr G0ettler was constant ana potent factor in cross-examination of government witnesses yesterday. testimony of Dr Boos and Dr Hoo- ncy, freauentiy offering questions for Rafter to put to the witnesses. Gregg said last night that he in- tends to wind up the common wealth's case Monday when he pre- sents the picturesque medical ex- aminer. pr George Burgess Ma grath, whose original methods and success in solving baffling myster- | ics has made him nationally rccog- nized. He Is credited with bein2 | responsible for the general djs- placement of the coroner system oi investigation with the medical ex- aminer system.
 pr Magrath. whose Windsor ties curve-stemmed pipes, and odd shaped hats have led those who admire his deductive ability to compare him to Sherlock Holmes, has listened to all testimony pre- sentcd by the state, and has been a freduent consultant with Gregg. He assisted the district attorney In his questioning of medical wit ncsses.
 Although expert testimony hat been introduced that Captain Cos tello died of cyanide of potassium poisoning, no evidence has beer offered as to the method by which the deadly poison, characterized as
 "the most rapid in its effects known to scicnce," was adminis- tered, Unless Dr Magrath is per. mitted to offer theory on thii ! point. the state will have to rest It's case without such evidence.
 | The state has merely offered ar Indication that it will contend tht poison was given in capsule form but has not as yet shown how the ca psuies were introduced into Cos tello's stomach.
 The defense, on the other hand | to prove that he may have diee either a suicide or by accident. \ has constantly stressed evidencs that he was a melancholy type suffering from . variety of diges
 tive ailments. The comedy defena ant, who has appeared supremell | confident of acquittal, claims shs purchased cyanide of potassium and oxalic acid the night before her husbands death solely for uss
 as a mixture with which to clear
 The white-haired pr Bods re traced, in his testimony yesterday the methods he had used to reacl his opiniors that the fire captain''
 death was due to cyanide poison
 ing. :.
 the highly technical details. A times she yawned or addressed smiling remarks to Rachel Crais the jail matron, who sits benin' her fin the courtroom. , | pr Boos scored heavily for m II prosecution when of, redirect ex animation he told District Attorne'
 Gregg that the fact that he wa able to detect evidence of cyanid
 polsoning "a month and three day after the death of the decedan
 was very significant"
 He pointed out that cyanide re leases hydrocyanic acid gas in th
 human body and 1t compound
 rapidly with other substances, s that over . period of weeks It's de | lection becomes increasingly diff lcult. He testified further tha
 death must have occurred withi'
 few minutes and intimated that
 considerable quantity of the poisol
 must nave been administered.