Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-03-04
BEU1LER'S MURDER.
Preliminary Examination Of His Al
legged Slayers
CHANGE OF VENUE WAS DENIED.
Joseph Morris on the Witness Stand
Many Spectators Present-Adjonrned
10 Police Court Room.

Harriet Bentler, charged with the
murder Of Fred Beu,ler, was began
this morning before Justice Frank Il.
Margette. A large number OF wilt
uesses were on hand, most OF whom
testified at the Inquest.
The prosecution was represented by
Ray Van Colt and Howard Putnam,
assistants to the county attorney; AT.
torney Hamilton appeared for Mitchell,
Rhea AMI Earl for Rice ond Edward
Mc6urrIn Tor Mrs. Beu,ler.
The investigation was to have been
conducted in the office OF Justice Mar.
gets of 1865 west South Temple street,
but owing 10 the large number OF
spectators present, an adjournment
was taken to the police court room in
the old city ball building.
MIR, Putnam stated that the prcsecu-
ton would ME a formal complaint
charging John Rice, Alvin Mitchell
and Harriet Beuiler with the murder
OF Frod Beutlor on the 25t day Of
February, 1897.
The com Isint was read and the
defendants aatuEai p!oas OF not guilty.
Mr.. McGurriu, attorney for Mrs.
Beutler, asked that she have a separate
hearing from the other defendants, ns
must of the evidence presented, in the
hearing at the inquest was against the
other two and not against her.
Mr.. Putnam said no thought the
rights OF Mrs. Beutler could be fully
protected in u Joint investigation ana
the yyOuid no ipao
The court denied the appii cation.
Attorney MeGurrin then applied for
a change u vanue, claiming that In.
competent testimOnys was allowed by
Juetlce Mar getts at tne Inquest.
Ar, Puinsm said he liz not know
OF a clause in the etatute provl1ing for
. change 81 venue, anu further he
should have made the application Tor
change OF venue before the sppliu a.
ton for separate investigation.
The cgutt stated that the evidence
presHnte OF the inquest was not IN.
aOmpeteut ne coroner was not bound
by the law OF evidence. He denied
the application.
The prosecution placed Joseph Nor
ris on the etsud. He sta cd that he
resided at las weet, South Temple
8 rect anu MS had lived there since
November last. The witness .recited
the same story As told at the inquest,
with the addition OF the stationery
that he heard the cry OF murder twice.
Upon hearing the disturbance he went
out to the front and had talk with
the st0rekeepGr there and others about
he matter. the CO nclusion by them
was that Bentler amt his vile
had been having row. Shortly
at 10 80 , Il.
went 60 the rear AMI apprJacntrg
BeutlGI's uUor, attempted 10 open f..
they opened 1t little, but 40 all was
quiet, they coucludst that the row was
over and consequently went out again
on the sidewalk. Upon reaching the
sidewalk delivery wagon drove into
the alley and directly afterwards out
came two men, on moderately last
walk, bDlh OF whom went east on
South Temple street. Que was taller
than the other, the taller one coming
first and having an OveTclat on, anu
the shorter one wearing pair of
leggings. he thought both had black
co u nnd black hats on-whUther sJf
or II hats, he knew no. Tne last
one, appeared TO have had night pans
on. a little later on Captain Eslinger
and Officer shannon arrived, and on
ing into the house, they discovered
that Beutler was dead. Between tue
cries OF murder there wac short
interval during which time he heard
a noise as OF &c III ng.
Tho witness on REORGANIZATION
conducted by Attorney ]. NJ. Hamll-
ton, stated tua. ne was 40 years OF aye.
He came to this city 10 the year 1880
aud had lived nero ever since. HIS
occupation Tor two years last past had
been that Of Il bill poster. Prlor to
G ming here he liveI IN California,
o egOu, New York, Michigan, Colo.
Ia1o anu Texas. He was native OF
eianu am was born in the state OF
New York.
HGmiltoa- What did you have for
supper that evening, Mr.. Mo rs?
(L,u lhter.)
Mofris-l had tea, bread and butter
anu ca unGd salmon.
The witness continuing said be com.
msnced tho preparation OF his supper
aI7:l5 and had just startsi 10 pattGko
OF 1t when the Cry OF murder issuel
from Beptlet's apartment. 1t t-ok
probably threu quarters Of an nour IN
prepare his msal. The taller OF the
Two that Cnmo out II tho aley, wa
about 5 feet 0 or 10 lncnos In height
The o.hor came out some four iesr.
benini the trst aud was about three
or four inches 8horter IN stature.
The Hret cry OF murder nsued from
the direction Of BeuileI's door anu In
tue time eiapsing between The ffsl aud
second cries tnere VI 81 sound "a Of
strsnguluIion or smothorng. Wnnees
could not tell whether or not tie
stFangulation was The result OF uatur
causes or otherwise. When the police
officers arrived Officer Shannon
pushed the door open far enough !,
get his head in, ON when o
looked he exclaimed, The man.
dead" or words l. that effect.
Captain E,inger then went to the
door and Il was finally gpon0I tar
enough to admit OF the illogrs g0i *
n. BeutIeI'a body was lying agsias.
tne door.
phe defense ATTEMPTED to show
through tue testimony OF tue wltues,
that It took two men to push the
lOJr open, but this point wac MT
brought out as Mr.. Morris Cluli MT
distinctly remember whet force was
brought TO bear In opening tho door.
Adjourned til 2:l5.
Thia afternoon Captain Il ,lirger w6s
placed on the witness slanI anu tes =
ded that he arrived NJ the scene Of toe
murder about $3.50, aud found the b. y
uu the door with DleoI in tine muu "a