The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-10
DEFENSE IS PLEASED
STATE IN LUETGERT CASE MAY
FAIL IN ESTABLISHING VITAL
POINT.
BITS OF FLESH IN EVIDENCE.
EXPERTS DECLINE TO SAY POSI-
lively THAT THEY ARE HU-
MAN FRAGMENTS.
SAUSAGE MAKERS NERVE IS GOOD.
Innocent or Guilty, the Defendant
Has Wonderful Amount of
SeIf-Control.

CHICAGO, Sept. 9.-Both the morn
ing and afternoon sessions Of the court
in the trial of Adolph L. Luetgert were
consumed in the taking of expert testl-
mony. Through chemical analysis the
state must establish not only the posi-
bility of human body being dissolved
by the action of caustic potash, heated
to the boiling point, put also the fact
that the bits Of bone, hair and flesh
and the scrapings of pinkish brwon
material from the interior Of the vat in
the sausage factory, are portions of
the body of human being. If they
can demonstrate these two propositions
beyond reasonable doubt, one of the
most important points of their case will
have been established. By circumstan-
tial evidence they have endeavored to
prove that Luetgert was anxious to
rid himself Of his wife and that he en-
ticed his wife to his factory on the
evening Of May l. By expert testimo
ny they expect to prove that Mrs.
Luetgerts remains are now represent
ed by the bits of bone, flesh and hair.
Two expert witnesses have been call
ed, DR.. Charles Gibson and Prof. Mark
DelafOntaine DR.. Gibson, whose di
rect examination was begun Wednes-
day offered further testimony for the
state today, and was turned over to the
defense for cross examination. DR.. Glib
sons testimony proved to be of little
value to the state. Although the wit
ness freely admitted that the bits of
f1eshy substance found in the vat might
be human flesh, he was equally candid
IN, H. ~
by Attorney Vincent, chief counsel for
the defense, that the flesh was as SINH
lar to the flesh of any animal, as it
was to the human. Prof. Gibson testi-
fed that body could be disintegrated
in the manner charged by the prosecu-
ton, but denied that the bones would
be affected in the manner that the state
has endeaVored to establish. The wit
ness testified that the bones would be
merely softened at the ends, but would
not be dissolved. The lawyers for the
defense were highly pleased at the re-
suit of their cross examination, and
felt that their case had gained as the
result of the evidence.
Prof Delafontaine was examined by
Assistant States Attorney McEWen,
the direct examination occupying the
remaining time Of the morning session
and the entire afternoon session. The
prosecution could not. draw from Prof.
DelafOntaine the assertion that the
bits of flesh were human flesh. They
might be human, but they might also
be the flesh of an animal. The bones
he was sure were human bones, but
regarding the flesh he. was very guard
ed and careful in his statements. He
will tomorrow morning be turned over
to the defense for discrimination.
At no time during the day did the
defendant display emotion, not even
when the big dry goods box with its
contents of flesh and bone was placed
few feet from him, near the jury.
He handled the gunny sacks and in
spected with curious glance, the bits
of flesh and bone which were passed
gingerly from attorney to attorney,
but at no time did his hand tremble
or the look of ordinary interest give
way to pallor or an averted glance
Innocent or guilty the verdict of all
is that Luetgert is possessed of more
nerve than any other man who was
ever tried for murder within the pre-
cincts of the criminal court building.
The attorneys for the defense con-
tinued in their confident attitude, and
assert that when Luetgert is free a
number of damage suits are to be COM
menced. They intend that those who
have manufactured evidence" as
they put it, shall suffer for the wrong
which they say has done their client.