The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-07

When the prosecuting attorney shot questions at the accused con- corning the events immediately fol- lowing the shooting, while the two still remained in the car, ZukauskaS repeated numerous times. T don't know what happened, don't know I don't know" The only clear recollection he had was that Stephie had sworn at him, spit at him and made an insinuation about his fear of his wife, he testified.
 The states attorney exhibited a blood covered towel which had been used to wipe the blood from Stephies body. zukauskas admitted 1t had come from their home.
 The accused said he could not recall who suggested that Stephie be taken to the hospital. He denied there was any undue commotion in the Zukauskas home at the time Stephie was being treated by his wife, or that the two Zukauskas children had been awakanede by the noise.
 You shot her once?' asked the states attorney.
 No" replied Zukauskas quickly. T shot her more than once. It was two or three times"
 Stephie then slumped against the door, he said, but he didn't believe she was dead until he stopped the car in Middlebury.
 The states attorney then read testimony given to the coroner in which ,Zukauskas said he had used the gun on Stephie which he had intended for himself.
 When asked If that statement were true, the accused answered in spirited voice, T said anything that day. said anything they asked me because was worried about my wife and children and that's all there was to it."
 When questioned about his actions at the scene of the burial, the &C., cused stated in calm voice that he had stripped the clothing from Stephie's body alone in perhaps a minutes time and covered it with leaves. At no time did Mrs. zukauS- kas leave the car on the entire round trip to Middlebury, he stated.
 Zukauskas weakened by hours of questioning tottered as he left the stand for the court recess at 12:25.
 Character Witnesses
 Yesterday afternoon zukauskas described his relations with Mrs. Plungis and then started the story of his activities on Nov. l When court adjourned he was in the midst of his description of the shooting which took place on Alder street about 10:30 the night of the slay- ing.
 Before Zukauskas took the stand at 2:4O in the afternoon, parade of character witnesses described the defendant as having been good policeman" or a reliable and depend able worker.
 Those testifying in that phase of the defense presentation included: Martin DiMaria, who was plant su- pervisor at Perry's laundry while Zukauskas once worked tn ere; Thomas F. Cronin, his supervisor at the Scovill tube mill plant; Sergeant William Feeley, Sergeant Robert F. Phelan, Sergeant Charles J. Nolan, ana Sergeant Patrick V. Rlllborg, all of the Waterbury police department.
 Others who testified were Dr. James Coppeto, who said he called at the Zukauskas home Nov. 2 to treat the couples infant son for a cold: Alex Laniauskas, who said he had several drinks with the accused the afternoon of Nov. l and Laurter Thibault, c. R. & L. bus driver, who said he drove Zukauskas to his Baldwin street beat many times and discussed the policeman's personal problems with him.
 Mrs. Edna Zukauskas, wife of the accused, was called to the stand by the prosecutor at the opening of the afternoon session and stated she would not testify against her hus- | band.
 Describing his meeting with Mrs. Plungis the night of Nov. l, zukaus- kas said he was going down to Con- eress avenue to get bus on his way to work when he spotted her hus- bands car at the corner of Poplar and Green streets. He said he saw Mrs. Plungis in the car and thought she was asleep.
 'I was ready to go by past the car when she called me-" he stated. Il asked her what she wanted and she said, I want you to stop talking about me-" the witness continued.
 Zukauskas claimed he told Mrs Plungis he knew she was talking about him, and then an argument started. Then they started for his home and he decided not to go on duty that night, the former police man testified.
 Did she suggest any other plan to you?" the defense attorney asked "Yes, she told me that as long as I wasn't going to work to change my clothes and go some place and have good talk with her." the witness answered.
 He said he went into his house after they arrived there, and Wen' straight into the bedroom. T was just about to change my clothes when I thought would have no ex- planation to give my wife" he stated, adding he then decided te go out the same way he came in.
 Asked if he took anything from the house, Zukauskas replied, T tool two revolvers and some bullets" Ht said 1t took him about five minute! to get the guns and load them. ant his wife did not see him doing 1t He said he told her when he say her in the kitchen that he forgo something and then left the house.
 "As she (Mrs. Plungis) saw m coming out the gate she started tn car rolling from the point where left her and stopped right in iron of the house." Zukauskas stated. l The witness said that just as n |, 4t,a oor NHrq plnnpiS com