The herald., 1897-10-06
EVIDENCE is in
For Defense in Luetgert's
Case
The TESTIMONY IN REBUTTAL.
WILL HOLD THE JURY TWO
WEEKS LONGER
All the Accusations of the State Have
Been Observation-Disclosures
Expects an Acquittal
Associated Press Special Wire,

Associated Press Special Wire.
CHICAGO, Oct. 5.-The defense in the
Luetgert trial rested its case today after
two witnesses had testified. Luetgert,
himself, did not take the stand His at
torneys retired by permission of the court
soon after court convened to consult as
to whether he should testify is his own
defense. Ex-Judge Vincent vigorously
opposed the suggestion, but Attorr ey
Phalen was inclined in favor of Luet-
gert's desire to go on the stand. He also
believed that the absence of the principal
actor in the great tragedy might preju-
dice him in the eyes of the jury. Luet-
CERT finally agreed to abide by the ad-
vice of counsel, but looked like martyr
when he returned from the consultat tion.
The first witness called today was
Henry ]. Cox. of the United States
weather bureau, who came with charts
ard data to prove that the night Of
May 1 was cloudy in Chicago and vicin,-
ity, for the purpose of re butting the test
imony of witnesses who stated that they
stood across the street and, saw Luet-
gert and his wife walking to the sausage
factory.
After consultation of defendant and
his attorneys, Mrs. Mary Charles. wife
of Luetgert's business partner, was
called and swore that Mrs. Leutgert
threatened to leave her husband be-
cause he had failed in business, and
dramatic scene followed.
Luetgert had now offered an explana-
nf to-, 1f
cution except the rings found in the
vat. When shown ore of these rings
Mrs. Charles examined it critically and
then said that it was narrower than
those worn by Mrs. Luetgert. The
other ring, she said, was about the
size of that worn by Mrs. Luetgert, but
she did not think it was one of them
Fred Miller, nephew of Luetgert,
produced Mrs. Luetgert's watch, which
he said she had asked him to carry for
her, as she feared Luetgert would take
it away from her.
The unexpected cessation of evidence
for the defense found the prosecution
unprepared to go on, and, court was ad-
journed until tomorrow morning.
The end Of the famous trial is nearer
than was thought. There is nothing to
come but the rebuttal evidence of the.
state ard the arguments of the attor-
neys-probably about two weeks in all
The state has eighty witnesses to place
on the stand, but States Attorney Dee
men said this afternoon that in most
cases their evidence will be short, and
that he will get through with them in
hurry. He expects to demolish the
stories offered by the witnesses for the
defense that Mrs. Luetgert was seen
around Kenosha, Wis, and Lake Zu-
rich, Wis, within few days after the
murder Is said to have been committed
and to furnish other testimony that will
In a great measure hold up the side
of the prosecution.
Luetgert is confident that he will be
acquitted. While apparently regretting
that he had not had the opportunity to
tell his story to the jury, the big sausage
maker said he was satisfied that the
Jury would not convict him under the
evidence presented, Luetgert was in an
ugly humor during the afternoon and
b not inclined to talk much.