Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-20
BERLIN's SENSATIONAL TRIAL.
The Conspirators Against Prof. Prayer Sem
fenced to imprisonment

fenced to Imprisonment.
The sensational trial Of Eugene Prayer, the
divorced wife Of Prof. Prayer, and Of her
brother, Max Schweitzer,for conspiracy to kill
the professor, came to an end yesterday in
Berlin. The attempt to kill, which was nearly
successful, occurred on the night of September
10 last and was the result of long series of do
mestic troubles in which the learned professor
became involved through an unfortunate mar
rage. Prof. Prayer is a lecturer in Berlin
University and highly esteemed. His wife was
a woman of dissoiute habits and the marriage
had been forced upon the professor by
designing relatives Although not a will
ing husband. he tried to bear patiently with
his wife. in the hope that she would reform
and was deaf to many stories, anonymous and
otherwise, which were told by those who OBJ
served her follies. Eugene, instead of being
moved to a better life by her husbands kind
ness, mistook his leniency for indifference
and plunged more and more into vice. Her
name became almost common among the young
officers OF the Berlin garrison and one heuten-
ant in particular was said to show her devoted
attention.
Prot. Prayer went on a voyage to India and
was absent for some time in connection with
his university duties. Upon his return he as
certained that his wifes conduct had been so
fragrant that no choice remained between
divorce and disgrace for himself. The pro-
lessor had no difficulty In obtaining his d.
vorce. His former wife became greatly en-
FILTERED against him on account of the pub
licity attending the proceedings and deter
brother, Max Schweitzer, to perform the
deed.
Prof. Prayer was in bed at the time Of the
murderous assault The brother suddenly en-
tered the professors sleeping apartment, drew
a revolver from his poke. and fred. The pro-
lessor VIZ nv ba mt Of fl.o
but before he could get up the revolver had
been discharged, inflicting a severe wound in
the right cheek. The professor spraug out of
bed and rushed at the assassin. Without wait
ing to fire another shot the latter turned and
fled, escaping from the house. The police were
at once notified, but Schweitzer had got away
from the city. In the room, however was
found false beard, a wig and e mans hat,
which the would-be murderer had left behind.
These articles were not necessary for identity.
as the professor had recognized him. The
search for the fugitive was vigorously con-
Quoted and he was at length arrested.
Once In custody Schweitzer weakened and con-
fessed. He laid the chief blame on his sister,
Frau Prayer He said that she had offered
him / 600 marks to kill her husband and as
sisted him to procure the disguise and the re-
volver. Max was to enter the professors room
while he was asleep and shoot him dead. Then
the revolver was 20 be placed in such a way as
to give an impression OF suicide, which, in view
of the professors domestic troubles would
readily be believed. The plan miscarried
through the nervousness and clumsiness of
Max. who, upon entering the room, made such
a noise as to awaken his intended victim. When
he saw the professor was awake and recognized
him he was unable to take steady aim and the
bullet which was meant for the brain only
wounded the face.
In view of his confession Schweitzer was SEN
fenced to five years imprisonment, while
Eugene for instigating the crime received
penalty of six years. The woman, whose beauty,
somewhat marred by her dissolute habits,
had come back to her during the restraint of
imprisonment, received the sentence with cry
of anguish and cast fierce look toward her
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