Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-10-11
LUETGERT WANTS TO MAKE 4
SPEECH TO THE JURY.
SAYS HE WILL INSIST UPON 1T.
HIS ATTORNEYS HAVE LITTLE HOPE
OF DIsSUADING HIM.
AT Outs Themselves as to Which Shall
Have the Honor Of Making the
Closing Argumcnt-Bets Be-
ing Made as to the
Verdict.

Chicago, Oct 1O-Adolph Luetsert is de-
termined to make an argument before the
jury. and his attorneys seem TO think they
will be unable to cause him to change MS
mind.
The desire of LuetSert to make speech
in his own behalf is not recent. For many
weeks Luetgert has jolingly remarked 10
his counsel that he guessed he would Ten
the jury why he should not be convicted Oh
the murder of his wife. Unti! recently II
was thought that he meant it only as Il
joke and the matter has been passeu hs nv
ly by Since Attorney Vincent succeeded
in preventing him from taking the stand
in his own behalf Luetgert has been sulien
and uneasy and has frequently told his al
torneys he wanted to make the CiosihS
speech in the case. Vincent finally asked
him If he was in earnest and Lueisert
said that he surely was and that his de-
termination was fixed. The attorney ala
all he could to show the defendant the iooi-
ishness of such a course, but MS Oppose
ton served TO anger and arouse the
sausagemaker.
For once Phalen has been in unison with
Vincent in the management of the defense
, With the latter he Joined his opposition ana
both have been urging Luetgert TO abandon
the idea Thus far they have been unable
TO move him and the quandary in which the
attorneys find themselves would be luul-
crous if 1t We're not serious.
To add TO the troubles of the defense, the
attorneys are at outs on the question OF
who shall have the honor and responsi-
bility of making the closing speech Tor the
defendant. Each has desire TO DO TINS,
and Luetgert rather inciines to the side OF
Phalen To the guards in the jail Luet-
gert denounces VINCENT as incompetent and
as having made a blunder IN keeping him
from the witness stand. If he should be
convicted there is little doubt that he will
lay the blame at Nincents door and de-
clare that If he had been allowed to TESTIFY
he would have convinced the jury of his
Innocence. Vincent understands the re-
sponsibiiity he took and the danger he ran
OF a subsequent renomous attack from
Luetgert when he insisted. that he should
not be witness, and the fact is causing
him no end of worry.
When seen in the jail yesterday Luetgert
was in a talking mood. He was asked IL it
were true that he intneded to make speech
TO the jury. and replied that it was. When
asked If he wanted to make the closing
II have not decided that point yet. No
one knows more about this case than do,
and do not see why should not tell the
"Are your attorneys opposed to your do
20. suppose they are. It will not make
do so. If / think that it is unnecessary
may change my mind.
,'How do you feel about being kept off
"I guess that was all right Mr.. Vincent
did not want me to testify, because 1t was
not necessary. The state has not proved
that am guilty of killing my wife. What
does the state have to show? Tell me that.
Does 1t not have to prove beyond a rea-
sonable doubt that am guilty? Do you
think that has been done?- Far from it.
All that rebuttal testimony was rot.
Charles is good fellow. and have always
found him SQUARE OF course, he had b bust si:
sickness. and all those fellows who took
the stand and swore that they would not
believe him under a, oath @ We're men men to w whom
ample. Is it not plain to the jury that she
has a purpose? That woman owes me
she viii not have to pay it if 1 am con-
y.cted., She Is too thin. The jury can see
through her.
to the fact that you were kept off the
stand?"
The sausagemaker slowly replied:
Now you are assuming something which
this moment. 1t is impossible that should
be convicted. However. if l had testified
j would have carried the Jurors with a
wbirlwind but it was not necessary They
are already convinced of my innocence. In
little more than week from now shall
be back in my factory"
Concerning the new trouble that had
arisen. Attorney Vincent had little to say.
IF Luetgert is determined upon making
prevent him. he said. .I know he wants
to do this. but / was in hope that he would
see the fooishness of the attempt No.
do not know who will make the closing ar
gument for the defense. Mr.. Phalen desires
to make 1t, and confess that i have the
same desire. 1 presume Luetgert will be ir
favor of Phalen.- / do not care to discuss
the possibility nor the probability of Luet-
CERT making a talk to the jury"
The near approach of the close of the
case has led TO much discussion as to Luet
gert's chance of acquittal. There is a wide
spread opinion that he will not be convicted
because of the supposed failure to prov,
beyond doubt that Mrs. Luetgert is dead
States Attorney Deneen accounts for thi
opinion of Luetgert in the statement tina
the public does not understand the law ant
the evidence. and has the popular idea o
the term corpus delicti. Mr.. Deneen believes
that one of the strongest cases of circum
stantial evidence on record has been mad,
out against Luetgert.
The greatest interest in the weeks pro
ceediRgs centered in the question of Luet
CERT taking the witness stand. Not until
few minutes before the defense closed wa
the question determined. Luetgert made
hard fight to be allowed to testify ant
only Attorney Vincent's threat to get out o
the case prevented him from doing so.
Odds of to l are offered on Luetgerti
acquittal.