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Was to Have Told Jury in Sault, Ontario, of Suicide Atempts by Miss Grier BULLETIN SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT., April 9.—Advised by defense counsel that there is still considerable defense evidence to be introduced, Jus tice C. P. McTague, presiding at the trial of Vernon Spencer, announced at noon today that the murder trial of Vernon Spencer was adjourned until Monday morning at 10 o'clock. SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT., April 9. (Pj—A strange twist of fate has robbed Vernon Spencer of a star witness who was to testify in his fight to escape murder conviction in the slaying of Helen Grier, Battle Creek and Pontiac, Mich., stenographer. Constable Tom Crawford disclosed today that Harry Fitzpatrick, who was to testify in the defense contention that Miss Grier shot her self, became violent yesterday and was placed in a straitjacket in General hospital. Fitzpatrick, former cook at the Long Dake cabin of Dr. August A. Holcomb, of Northville, Mich., was to have told of alleged suicide at tempts ‘by Miss Grier on a 1936 visit to the cabin with Spencer. His testimony was expected to weigh heavily against the contention of the Crown that Spencer, a former major league baseball player, swung a rifle, knocked Miss Grier uncon scious with a blow at the base of her skull, and shot her through the right temple as she lay on the kitchen floor of Dr. Holcomb's cabin, which she was sharing with Spencer. Brooding Over Case Constable Crawford said the for mer cook’s condition developed on Wednesday night and “grew in creasingly worse. His physician, D. ¥. M. Loyd, informed me Fitz patrick’s condition may have been caused by brooding over the case. Meantime, the defense of Spen cer continued today with an indi cation by J. A. MacInnis, defense attorney, that the Wixom, Mich., dairy farmer might take the stand in his own behalf. Character Witnesses Three character witnesses, who testified Spencer enjoyed a good reputation as a peaceable citizen in his home county, were Circuit Judge Frank L.Doty, former Cir cuit Judge Glenn C. Gillespie, and
Newspaper Details
Sault Ste Marie Evening News
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, US
Sat, Apr 09, 1938
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Deanne A.
CA 06 Feb 2026
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