The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-06
ROLE OF HAMLET ELIMINATED
FROM THE TRAGEDY SHOW
ING AT CHICAGO.
CASE NEARING ITS CLOSE.
THREE WEEKS MORE WILL SEE
1T SUBMITTED T0s THE
JURYs ~
BOTH SIDES EXPRESS CONFIDENCE
Opinions Differ Widely as to the
Relative Merits,of the Two
Sides Presented.

CHICAGO, Oct. 5.-The end of the
famous Luetgert murder trial is nearer
than was thought. The defense today
rested it's case and there is nothing now
to come but the rebuttal evidence of
the state and the arguments of the at
torneys-probably about two weeks in
all. The state has eighty witnesses to
place upon the stand, but States Attor-
ney Deneen 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
about Kenosha and Lake Zurich, Wis,
within a few days after the murder is
said to have been committed, and to
furnish other testimony that will in
great measure hold up the side of the
prosecution.
AS the evidence in this famous trial
is now practically all in, an estimate
Of the relative strength of the prose-
cution and the defense, respectively, is
the sole topic of discussion around the
criminal court building. The attor-
neys engaged are probably the best
judges of the weight of the evidence.
All Of them have made close analyti-
cal study of every bit of evidence pro-
duced on the trial. They are likely
to be baised and one or the other of the
contending sides must be entirely
wrong, for both are sure of winning.
1--WE have made out as strong a cir
cumstantial case as it was possible to
present" said States Attorney Deneen
tonight. 1.-THE evidence was connected
and the story moved along in a smooth
natural groove. l cannot conceive of a
case being made out more completely
on purely circumstantial evidence. Our
case will be strengthened by the rebuff
tai evidence yet to be heard. The iden-
tif1cations of women at Kenosha Wis.
and Lake Zurich, Wis, will be abso-
lutely obliterated before the end Of the
present week. That will add another
link to our strong circumstantial chain.
We are fully satisfied with the situa-
ton. l do not care to enter upon a
detailed discussion of the case in all
it's varied features, inasmuch as it is
still open, and we are yet to present
more evidence. Of course, it would not
be proper for me to express an opinion
relative to Luetgert's failure to go upon
the witness stand
Ex-Judge Vincent was apparently
highly pleased over the status of the
case. I'VE have met them at every
point, and checked them" said he,
I'VE have impeached several of their
witnesses, and they have failed to show
beyond reasonable doubt that Mrs.
Luetgert is dead. In my judgment a
case has not been established under
the Indictment. And we are not
through yet
Luetgert is confident that he will be
acquitted. While apparently req e.tif 6
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 aft
ernCon, and not inclined to talk much.
DEFENDANT MUM.
Soon after court convened, ex-Judge
Vincent and Attorney Phalen asked
permission to consult with their client
privately. Judge Tuthill said they
might do SO, and Luetgert and his law
yers retired to private ROOM 1t was
known that the matter under delibera-
ton was whether or not Luetgert
should go upon the witness stand. EiX-
Judge Vincent vigorously opposed the
suggestion. He pointed out to Luet-
CERT that William Charles, his business
partner had told practically the story
Luetgert would tell.
you cannot add to it anything that
will benefit you," said Judge Vincent.
eff you go upon the witness stand you
will be subjected to a cross eXamlna-
ton lasting days and covering the en-
tire period of your life. You will get
excited and you will say things which
will injure you case. My advice to
you is keep num-.
Attorney Phalen was inclined to
favor Luetgerts desire to go on the
stand He thought the big sausage
maker might be able to explain some
things more satisfactorily than other
witnesses have. He also believed the
absence from the witness stand of the
principal actor in the great tragedy
might prejudice him in the eyes of
the jury But Attorney Phalen was
, willing to admit the logic of ex-Judge
Vincent's position, and Luetgert said
he would abide by his counsels' advice.
When the lawyers and Luetgert
returned from their consultation,
Luetgert sat down, with grim
smile upon his strong face. His
countenance bore the expression of a
martyr The greatest disappointment
of the trial to him was apparently the
fact that he was not permitted TO teS-
tify in his own behalf. But he accept
ed the situation with as good grace as
his rough nature would permit.
The first witness called today was
Henry j. Cox, of the United States
weather bureau service. Witness came
with charts and data to prove that the
night of May 1, 1897, was cloudy In
Chicago and vicinity. This evidence
was brought out by the defense to
counteract the testimony of witnesses
who had sworn that they stood across
the street at II o'clock the night of
May and saw Luetgert and his wife
walking toward the sausage factory.
The first witness called after the
consultation of Luetgert and his attot :
neys was Mrs. Mary Charles, wife OF
William Charles, Luetgert's business