The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-25
AD0LPH LUETGERT'S TRIAL.
The Prosecution Turns n Clever Trick
on the Defense.

CHICAGO, Aug. 24-The prosecution
turned a clever trick on the defense
to-day in the trial of Adolph Luetgert for
the murder Of his wife by practically ac-
quiescing in the objections OF the defense
against drawing jury under the new jury
commission law. The objections, it was
understood, We're made by the defense
merely for the purpose of providing an OPP
portunity to take the case before the Su-
preme Court on a writ of error, should
this trial go against Luetgert and de-
Tense was evidently much chagrined when
Judge Tuthill sustained the objections and
ordered a special venire of 100 men I'M
der the old jury system law
Luetgert, the defendant, recovered his
self-possession to-day and smiled and
chatted pleasantly with his lawyers and
his son. When court was called to order
and said: We desire to withdraw the plea
of not guilty entered in this case" There
was tinge OF the sensational in the re-
mark, and the spectators leaned forward
eagerly, but the lawyers next words
quoted the stir. I'VE desire to enter a
motion to quash the indictment against the
State attorney Deneen had no objection
TO the putting OF such motion. Tine mo-
ton is overruled," said the court. An ex-
ceptlon was taken and the plea of not
guilty was again entered.
The roll OF the veniremen summoned to-
day under the new jury commission law
was then called bat after it showed that
ffty-siX of the 100 summoned were in court
Attorney Vincent for the defense, arose
and objected to them, assigning twenty
eight reasons for his challenge, and rails
ing the point of uncOnStltutlonality among
other things His argument was brief.
Assistant States Attorney McEWan re-
piled to the motion of the defense, holding
that the law was not special legislation,
as asserted, but making no special objec-
ton to the drawing of the jury under the
concluded Judge Tuthill said he did not de-
sire to place the prosecution in an embar-
RAISING position. He did not think the
state should be called upon to test any
new law in the trial of SUCH an important
case as this was acknowledged to be- and
defense, moved MIN TO sustain the obJec-
tons to the contemplated methods of draw
ing the jury He then issued an order for
special Venire of 100 men, and the case
was adjourned until tomorrow.
Diedrich Bicknese, LGetgert's brOther-in-
law, created a scene in the Jail to-day by
denOuncing Luetgert and accusing him of
the murder BickneSe walked through the
Jail before court opened and on the third
floor suddenly confronted mis- brother-tn-
law, who was standing q few feet away,
peering through the bars. Pointing al
Iuetgert, BickneSe exclaimed: There Is
the man who murdered my sister. This is
the best place for him. He ought to be
hanged Luetgert glared through the iron
screen, but made no sign that he recognized
the brother of his missing wife. 1t was
suggested to Bicknese that he speak to
LuetGert, but he drew away with the re-
mark: mo, he killed my sister, and l
don't want to say word to him. l have
never spoken to him since the day 1 notified
the police of Mrs Luetgert's disappearance,
and L never want to speak to him again