The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-13
DR.. ALLp0RT
EXPERT IN THE LUETGERT CASE
BADLY HANDLED BY MIR.
M'EWEN.
FIRST ADDRESS FINISHED,
THE TURN OF THE ATTORNEYS
FOR THE SAUSAGE MAKER
COMES TODAY.
LOOKED ON WITH SAVAGE scowL.
Eyes of the Prisoner Scarcely
Taken From the Face of the
Assistant PROSECUTORS.

CHICAGO, Oct. 12.-Assistant States
Attorney McEwen finished his argu
ment in the Luetgert trial today, and
will be followed tomorrow by Attor-
ney Phalen, who will make the open
ing address for the defense. Mr.. Nc
Even took up the entire day with his
argument and went over the case care
fully, connecting the details of the
evidence for the jury and showing how
enc circumstance fitted into another
and how the mass Of evidence submit
ted by the state furnished in his opin-
ion full and complete circumstantial
chain proving that Luetgert had nlur-
dered his wife in order that his rela-
tions with his servant girl, Mary Siem-
mering, might remain undisturbed.
Throughout the entire arraignment
Luetgert listened to the speech of the
attorney who was asking for his life
with the greatest attention. He never
took his eyes off of Mr.. McEwen for
more than an instant, and the heavy
scowl that Is habitual with him deep
ened as the assistant states attorney
pointed out circumstance after circum-
stance that weighed against his inno-
cence. 1t is now practically certain
that all of the arguments will be fin
ished so that the case will be given
to the jury by Saturday night at the
latest.
Assistant States Attorney McEwen
this morning took up the subject of
sesamoids. This soon brought him to
a consideration Of the evidence of Dr.
W. H. Airport, chief astrological expert
for the defense. Rarely is a witness
handled with the biting sarcasm and
scornful denunciation that was heaped
upon this celebrated expert. He came
upon the witness stand with all the
arrogance and self-assurance of bull
1y,'' shouted the speaker, land left it
as meek and lowly as any being who
ever entered this building. He exposed
to the medical profession in open court
his ignorance, and made himself the
laughing stock of experts the world
over"
The mistakes DR.. Airport is alleged
to have made in identifying different
bones were enumerated, discussed and
ridiculed in the most cutting manner
at the speakers command.
"And this is the man whom the de-
fense asks you to believe with refer
ence to the Identification of the bones
placed before you in evidence IN this
case" observed Assistant States Attor-
ney McEwen.
During the afternoon session of court
Mr.. McEwen devoted a considerable
portion of his time to the gold rings
found in the middle vat in Luetgert's
sausage factory. These he styled 'the
indestructible and shining evidence of
guilt" 1.-The purest metal known to
man." he said, had come forth from
that vat untarniShed to fasten upon
the guilty person the responsibility foi
one of the most hideous and cruel
crimes modern times has produced.
Then the speaker shifted to the evi-
dence Of the bone experts and dissected
it skillfully, pointing out what he con-
sidered the weaknesses and inconsiS
tencies in the stories and tdentif1cations
made by each. He reviewed the cir
cumstances in the case from the date
of Mrs. Luetgerts disappearance up to
the present date. Each development
was recalled and fitted together in
logical manner. The speaker suddenly
reached the descriptive climax by ex-
claiming:
There, gentlemen Of the jury, you
have the complete foundation and
structure of this case. The chain of
facts Is connected. The links natural
ly coil around this defendant and fix
his guilt as plainly and as indisputably
as it is possible to fix guilt"
Hour after hour the assistant states
attorney continued to discuss the evil
dence in the case and to comment upon
the conduct of Luetgert and Mary
Siemmering, both before and after the
disappearance of Mrs Luetgert.
Ex-Judge Vincent was a close listen
er, as was also Attorney Phalen. who
occasionally made notes on the speech.
Tomorrow, Attorney Phalen will open
for the defense He will speak all day
and possibly part of Thursday. Then
ex-Judge Vincent will speak day and
a half in closing for the defense. States
Attorney Deneen. who is a remarkably
rapid speaker, will close the case on
Saturday, speaking the entire day.