The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-20
WILL STEAK.
Luetgert Declares He viii Astonish the
Jury

Chicago, September 1S.-A wrangle De-
tween the prosecution and the defense
over the admissibility of evidence tending
to show motive for the murder OF Mrs.
Luetgert prevented the state from closing
its case as it had expected TO DO today
Judge Tuthill took the matter under ad-
visement and the case went over until
Tuesday next. Not only were the attor-
neys of the prosecution and the defense
at variance over the evidence, but there
was trouble III the camp of the defense
former Judge Vincent. the senior counsel
for Luetgert assuring the court that he
objected to the evidence showing motive
and Attorney Phalen, the junior coun-
sci, informing the court that he had no
objection in the world to the introduction
of the testimony. When asked for his
opinion of the case made out against him
Luetgert grew angry for a moment and
exclaimed: You ought to know my
opinion of the case without asking me.
There is nothing in it. Take away the
quarrel of the experts over the bones and
what have you got left? Nothing. They
have not proven that the woman is dead
and they cannot prove it, / am not go
ing to talk about my case at this time
though. have some trump cards and
will play them In court when the time
comes. 1 will testify. have made up
my mind to that. I will tell the jury
something shat will open the eyes of every
member of the panel"
Wjtpacsau followed zach other on ha
stand this morning, with unusual rapid
ity. They were called to straighten out
the tangle ends of former testimony, pre-
liminary to the prosecutions announce
ment that its case was closed.
Abraham Sele, butcher at 800 West
Munro street, caused mild sensation
when he announced that at the public
sale at Luetgert's factory some weeks ago
ne purchased 80 bottles of mineral water.
1t is the contention of the defense that
on the night of May /, when Mrs. Luet-
CERT is said to have been murdered, Luet-
CERT, not feeling we'll, sent FrankaBialk
to drug store for medicine. Bialk him
self confirms this, and declares Luetgert
told him to get bottle of mineral water.
Subsequent developments have shown
that the sausage maker had at least 38
bottles of this water on hand when he
sent Bialk away after more that night.
Prof. Delafontaine, Sergt. Sprangler of
the police department, and a number of
policemen were called to the witness stand
and other articles, and to tell where they
got them and where these exhibits had
been kept during the progress of the
trial.
Deputy Sheriff Fred Pister of Racine,
Wis, nephew of Mrs. Christine FeIdt,
was called to the witness stand to identi-
fy the knife Mrs. Feldt said Luetgert had
given her the day before his arrest. He
said Mrs. Feldt handed him the knife in
July. The blades looked as if they had
not been opened for months, and the han
die was rusty. When the witness opened
the knife two big crusts Of rust fell from
it, he said.
When the prosecution called Frank |
Bialk to the stand as one of it's last two
witnesses to show the motive for the al
Legged murder of Mrs. Luegert, there was
every prospect that the state would rest
its case today as far as the direct evidence
was concerned.
But when an attempt was made to show
Luetgert's alleged relations with Mary
Silnmering and other women, the defense
entered a vigorous objection Lawyer
Vincent protested that this line of evil
dence was highly improper, and he OBJ
jected to 1t as incompetent. He declared
that no motive could be made from it,
and it would simply tend to prejudice the
minds of the jury.
Lawyer Phalen for the defense said he
would not object to this evidence. The
division of counsel for the defense on this
point occasiened surprise. Ex-Judge Vim
cent declared the evidence was only col
lateral, and that its only effect would be
to blast the reputation of Mary Simmer
ing, who was to be witness for the de-
Tense.
Judge Tuthill took the disputed point
IN der a6visement and adjourned court.
zsE~z-~ uszN
Goods are advertised in this newsap-
per because they are for sale in this town.