Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-16
HIS TRIAL is BEGUN
Bernice 6eehei Tells the Story
of Her Ruin.
THOUGHT he COULD FORGIVE
SINS Like . Cathoic Priest Rsvu1,ine
Testimony Adduoed in ths Trial
Of the Besusi Mlchsel.

-
the circuit convened today the court
house WAS TILED with man. women ana
young BOYS and girls eli eager - drink
IN the disgusting testimony 10 b
brought out in the Prince Michael
trial. Bernlce Bechel was the first w1t.
ness for the people. She described her
first meeting with Prince Michael ~
safnla. during the progress Of an L.
raelit.sh revival. The meeting had oe-
CURED nj Lhe resldence of Bernaoe'a
| uncle.
HE said TO me. 'choose ye this day
which you Will nave. death or iife.'
played the piano tor ham, and he told,
papa and mamma that l must come
70 Detroit TO play the piano At h's
headquarters.
The first letters exchanged between
Michae! and Bernice, and between him
and her parents, were then introduces
IN evidence. In these Bernioe Was d.
scribed ss the tenth piece, represent
ing Obedience, Ia the godhead."
The story et Hss Rain
| Bern,ce described with minuteneea.
her arrival At the godnouse. bringing
| her piano with her. AZ that time there
| CHI dixie ffankness, she described the
gradual steps winch were taken by
| Prince Michael in accomplishing her
ruin. For the fret few nights she had
been put 10 sleep with The other glris
and Eliza Court. Then she came 10 the
night of December "a, 1891. Her testl-
many, leading up 10 the alleged accom-
| piis' snent ot her ruin, was unilt for
| pubic itlon, but the minnteness and ap-
parent frankness with which II was re-
| ated had q virlbie effect upon all who
heard IL. Much trouble WAS made bv
| the defense in an effort 10 prevent the
prosecution from directing the giri's
| testimony by questions The defense
insisted that she should be left 70 tell
the story of her wrongs IN her own
way but timidity rendered this exceed
Ingiy difficult. Judge KInne. however,
allowed the prosecution 70 direct her
testimony to certain extsnt-snfhcient
TO bring out the disgusting narrative
with reasonable clearness.
At several times during the progress
of her shameful narrative the child
completely broke down. The delega-
ton of w. {. 4. l.. Iadlee, in particular.
were filled with righteous indignation.
Could glances have sIaln tue ALLEGED
| prince wouid never have left the court
room alive.
81 submitted TO Prince Michael be-
cause | was frightened" was the con-
cluding remark OF Bernice.
Thought Ne Could Forgive ssss.
The cross-exam.dation Of the defense
Was very severe.
"wby didn't you tell In some Of your
frat -statements about these terrible
things having beeny' the defenss asked
i severely.
Because" was the prompt reply.
"Prince Michael told me that he wa
just like Catholic priest, and that il I
ewore to anything wrong ! could after.
ward confess TO him and be forgiven.
That was why didn't tell al the truth
at first"
This reply caused . genuine sensa-
ton and visIbly staggered the defense.
''Who told you 10 cay THAR" was
sharply demanded.
Nobody told me 10 cay A." was the
prompt reply.
"D,d not some one tell you that you
would be cross-examined by Catholic,
and that YOU should make eucb 3
reply7y persisted the defense.
"No. they did not"
wss Naughty Litsse Gsri.
A long season of wrsngling followed
between the defence and prosecution
over the admission Of q written son-
fesslon made by Bernice 10 Pun0
Michael last March, in which che Ad-
mitted 70 having been toe intimate,
as = child, with q couple Of mere boyn,
before coming 10 Detroit 10 loin The
leraeltish colony. The redirect En-
animation on this poinqbroueht out The
blushing confession from the child that
al the time the alleged misdeneAposs
with the boys occurred, she was leoo
than 8 years OF age. while her compaa-
IONS were but little Older.
Have Won ever been offered or psi1
any money 10 testlfy in this caseys
asked the prosecution
Never one cent? was Bernice's flrm
reply.
May Wsbssss's story.
MAY Webster was sworn. Hhe ~
peated the story OF her connection With
the isrselites, which ie ealreody familiar
10 the public, and test fied 10 the fact
that che was present when Eliza Court
J ordered Befn1ce Bschel 70 occupy the
room with Prince Michael on The 6rot
occasion. Misc Wehater'e testimony
thoroughly sustained the charges q
Bsrnice against MIchael in 20 far q che
fact that she vac forced, on three diff.
ferent nlghts, 10 occupy room with hin
was concerned. On the 6sst Of The
three nighu Eliza Court hAd also o.
cupIcd the room with the aiieGs6
prluce and Bernice-
; On crose examination Mise Wehokof
was artfuily sounded regarding hee
views on The peculiar lsraelite religion.
. do you stiil believe in this rellg,ony'
she wss asked By the defense.
"Well. not % much - ! d1. :" ~
: the reply.
"oh. since ysu have been aGsocio1;ne
! with the police ofscsn ~ the ssa11oS
. yonr relis,ous views have chanood.
have theyy'
4 Us~s - nss Her 0es1s.
They have. i an out from undss
their power now"
7 Misc webeter's ev,dsnce IN the nich.
: srdson hakeas corpns psoo<sdlnes e
! | the Wayne circuit court Wos recalled.
, on that occauoD Miss Webster ovofo
. that she befseved The Ierau>5eoo b bu
| pure and that Michael wss cloaoos6
} | man.
! "DId you believe what you aid q
: that time ~as true" ebe Wae aoked.
Il did, bot Michael ueed % yub ne
J | hands every morning hefers eoiue q
. court. and ] fseisese u fuse ~
Z strength. see things differently no1
: that ! am not under bis power"
, Were you moi forced sc ssbma - Z
: physcsl examination with instrnmeuoI