The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-23
Tue STORY OF His Crime
How Little Lizzie Weisenberger
Met Her Death.
The Parents of the Murdered Child
Appear as Witnesses Against Smell
She Received In Endcavoring to
Prevent the Murderer's Escape.

The trial of Benjamin II. Smell was re-
sumed yesterday morning, the Govern
ment producing quite number OF wit
nesses to substantiate the claims made by
the Assistant District Attorney when he
! opened the case.
The aged parents of the prisoner came
into the court room, but were led away
by an officer in order that they may not
hear the revolving details OF the crime
The wife of Smell arrived early and took
a seat near her husband. where she re-
manned during the day. Judge Clabaugh
at once proceeded with.
The father. mother, and little brother
| Of the murdered child were in attendance,
and among other witnesses for the prose-
cution were the policemen who made the
arrest Of Smell. Robertson and Rupert,
WHO pursued the murderer across the
fields to the point where the arrest took
place; a negro and his wife, who wit
messed the meeting between Weisenberger
and Smell after the murder; the Kraft
couple, who occupied the upper part of
the Weisenberger house; DR.. Glazebrook.
the deputy coroner, who ordered the au-
topsy, and the man who drew the chart
Of the scene of the murder.
Smell was not so composed as when the
! selection of jurors was In progress: his
face seemed unnaturally choleric in color.
his cheeks and eyelds were swollen, and
he had an air of eagerness not hitherto
| noticeable. He seemed to be nervous and
1 Prominently in nd n
| while his eye furtively watched every
move OF the witnesses as they gave their
| evidence.
The Dead Girls Relatives
| The family OF the dead girl were In
more outwardly composed frame of miud
than heretofore, and there were several
women among the spectators other than
witnesses.
When the roll was called Mr. Turner
chief counsel for the defence. arose and
addressed the court on the question of the
exclusion of witnesses to which the Gov
eminent assented.
Samuel L. Browne. of the Metropolitan
detective force. was first called by the
prosecution. He was subjected to various
questions upon the chart OF the scene of
the murder. which he testified to. having
measurements taken shortly subsequent to
the commission Of the crime. He said
that tie plat was not drawn 10
scale, but showed the actual
measurements. Detailed explanations we're
gone into as TO the various distances from
point to point in the house and in the
vicinity.
a man by the name of Kraft and his |
wife lived in the upper story of the Weis-
enberger house at the time the chart was |
made, the Weisenberger family being the |
only occupants Of the lower floor Of the |
hose
Carl Weisenberger's Evidence.
The witness was then retired, and |
Carl Weisenberger, the father of |
the murdered child, and a butcher |
by occupation, was called. He now re- |
sides at 527 Fifteenth Street northeast. AT
the time of the murder he lived at 40 Nine
teenth Street northeast. Prior to the muir
der he had lived at that house not quite
three months Before that time he lived
in Rosedale Street. He was born in Baden
and came to America in 1870 Tie had lived
in Washington twelve years. He had been
married twice. the last time being about !
nineteen years ago.
The Witness spoke with a strong Ger I
man accent, and in answering questions
in the negative always used the German
word 'nein."
He was evidently under strong mental
restraint, and when the eyes OF the father
Of the dead child met those Of her murderer
The prisoner perceptly recoiled.
Weisenberger gave his testimony in
plain. blunt, but convincing fashion. and
from the cross examination OF the defence
| raIty |
he confusion of the witness for the safety
Df their client. but rather upon the expert
testimony which the are holding in read
ness for introduction in substantiation of
heir claim Of the insanity Of the murderer.
The witness testified that he had known
smell for eight years at the time of the
murder, and that Lizzie had lived at the
house for four or FIVE years. She
lad left SHELLS house about three months
,rior TO the murder. He heard rap on
he door at a short time before O'Clock '
IN the morning Of August 8 last.
Good morning. said Mr.. Smell.
Good morning, Mr. SHELL / said''
vent on the witness and he asked me
had a drink of water for Linn. | said
TO- | didn't have any water in the house
nut ] would get him some at the hydrant n
nd | took a bucket and went to the hy-
rant. and Mr.. Smell, he went on into the
Ouss- uhu only Just got the |
alf full of water when l heard screams, I
nd ran 10 the house. Smell was coming a
VI the door. and when / heard somebody ;
~ Murder ! said, What do you mean
y his? You have killed my daughter, J..
nd ! thought you were my best friend.
ou make such trouble in my house
Smell Menaces the Father. y
Then he made to cut me with the razor S
e had in his hand aud he was all over a
lood. and l ran into the house and found
lizzie with her whole throat cut open. d
nd called to MIR Kraft 10 go after Mr.. IL
nell"
During the recitation OF the details OF e.
lie murder there intense silence.
do you recall anything Smell said as he n
1T the house," asked Mr.. Anderson at II
hich Mr.. Turner objected but was over q
HE'D The witness said that Smell had h
hid something TO him, but he could not s
call what it was. nj
Weisenberger then stated that Kraft and
mself had followed Smell to the grave h,
ard. where they stopped Smell in the a
esntime having threat ned the life OF
ie father, and turning his head coward
m on several occasions as he said, Yes,
killed her, and I'll kill you. too
In the cross examination by Mr.. Turner, n
&c witness was mistaken In his testimony, :,