The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-12-04

Gf1lLBRBGHG' MURDER
Frank Burgers Trial for
the Secaucus Crime
Commenced.
AN EFFORT FOR DELAY
Mr.. Winfeld's Tragic Description
of the saloonkeeper's
Death.
AN EFFORT FOR DELAY


the Court of oyer aud Terminer this
morning to stand trial for the murder
of John Engelbrecht, saloonkeeper OF
Secaucus, who was found on the morn
ing of May last on the floor of his
saloon with his throat cut from ear to
ear and his head crushed.
The details of the crime for which
Burger is now on trial for his life was
fully told in Mondays News and from
the peculiarly circumstantial evidence
which points to Burgers guilt the trial
is likely to occupy several days. Nc
less than forty witnesses have been sub
poenaed by the prosecution and the de-
tense has subpoenaed a great number.
Burger had just taken his seat at the
table beside his lawyer when Justice
Lippineott appeared. accompanied by
Lay Judge Kenny.
Prosecutor Winfield was as usual
prompt and the counsel for the defense,
Messrs. Otto Grouse and James Furey,
were in their places as the Court House
bell tolled ten o'clock. The court room
behind the rail was crowded and even
the gallery could scarcely hold another
occupant, and all eyes were turned on
the pale face of the man accused of
for some years.
Mr., Winfield was about to call the wit
nesses when Mr. Otto Grouse said
''Your Honor, move you that this case
shall be adjourned in justice to the de-
fendant. I was only assigned on Satur-
day and that means I have only had
two days to look into the case. AS your
Honor is aware, it rests almost entirely
iC
hardest case to defend. The investigations
have been made by the Prosecutor, and
while have no. criticism to make about
that, yet I am anxious that the defen-
Sdant's counsel shall have an opportu-
nifty to make similar Investigations, so
that defendant and prosecution shall be
on even terms. I ask, therefore, that the
defendant shall not be forced to a trial
today, but that the case shall be post
poned.''
Mr.. Winfield Instantly jumped to his
feet and opposed the motion because Mr.
Furey, he said, had been engaged IN the
case from the beginning and only few
days ago told the Court he was ready
to proceed.
1--WE are in possession of articles snow
ing blood that is true" continued Mr.
NIHleiO, IQflllIl5 " NlOdSC, oNS 49,
said that everything was fair in that
respect" Then turning to the Court the
Prosecutor said: "Your Honor, one of my
principal witnesses died last Monday and
il others should die soon I will be obliged
to noile pros this case. ask that the
trial shall proceed"
Justice Lippincott said briefly that the
defendants counsel, Mr. F'urey, had had
~, ind
the April term to become acquainted with
the case and the articles in possession
of the Prosecutor were open for inspec-
ton at any period AS for the rights
of the defendant they would be pre-
served by the Court, and he, Justice
Lippincott. could see no reason Why the
trial should be postponed.
at must proceed" he. said, and Judge
Kenny nodded his head approvingly-
The drawing of the jury them proceed
ed. In a murder trial the Prosecutor has
ten challenges and the defense twenty
and nearly all of them were exhausted
before the jury was innpanelled on the
case. The jury sworn was as follows
Robert Guy, foreman; David e VIII
liamson, VIM M. Beach, Anton SleVer-
ding, James Ferrier, George w. conkling,
Frank Simpson, John P. Denniston.
charles aries Leopold, George schaffesnb3arg,
Sylvester V an BurGQ ana Alex y. i@ASS.
Some minutes were consumed in clear
ing the court and providing seats for the
witnesses, and when order was restored
Prosecutor Winfield began his opening.
The clock pointed exactly TO quarter past
eleven when Mr.. Winfield seized long
stick and walking to three larg9 maps, s,lrS
nffixed to a board in front of the jury
b., explained the location of the saloon
where the tragedy took place. The Hrst
map showed the saloon between Brown M
lane ard the Paterson Plank Road. the
second and third maps were of the first
and secqnd end stories @ ct fneId MngfGIdecat ex
often tended bar for EngeIprecht.
AS Mr. Winfield was unfolding the
history Of the crime by pointing out on
Burger looked at the jury with smile
on his face, as if the recital was ex-
treEnely amusing, but had no direct refer
e'6 on sunday night, May ), the Prosecutor
said the prisoner, with men named
Teqt ana and Reasbr eoged oue ot 9he DOOR
after them and put a chair against tne
burger says he turned up Browns
Eroder say he remained standing on the
stoop until they were out of sight
Then dramatically raising his pointing
stick the Prosecutor said soleninly:-
'tGentlemen, there is not a statement
made by the prisoner throughout this
case which is not an absolute faisehood."
Burger almost laughed outright at this
and ieaning over TO his counsel whis-
Dered something and smiled sneeringly
al the Prosecutor, who continued.
1T viii show you, gentlemen, that after
Burger says he went home he was seen
drinking in Engelbrecht's bar, beer and
whistler He went upstairs TO old Louis
I3aIer's room and made him drink some-
thing. That old man never awoke until
r7an,. said Mr. Winfield, pointing at
13iirgser. ..came downstairs and he was
renf, drinkjrf again with Engelbrecht
and laughing at the trick played on
Resuning the story the Prosecutor said
and Burger lay down on the bar to go
TO sleep, but prior to that the cnair nad
been placed under the knob so that no
one could get in the saloon.
seIff anyone opened that door," said Mr..
Winfield, it was opened by some one
aside and went out. Upstairs, outside Of
I,auerss door, there was a pile of chairs
put there, placed to make an alarm II
the old man awoke after the drugged
he stumbled over them the murderer
night hear the alarm and escape
5sTIl. a very tragic manner Mr.. Winfield
described the finding of the murdered
by the brewers driver and
md almost shaking his fist in his face.
the Prosecutor thundered:
aAnd there lay poor Engelbrecht with
tFa blanket he gave to this man to cover
Him. spread across his inarEied throat.
Poor Engelbrecht was murdered IN his
: : slTsi, 3S;,iraer WINGED at tire Prosecutors
words and turned his head TO BIS cSun-
ssTfen this man, ps:gs;:sd the Prose,
cutor, .rifaed his vlcl.as's pockets and