The Penn's Grove record., 1904-01-29
MRS. BECHTEL ACQUITTED
Jury'says She Did Not Share IN
Daughters Murder.
VERDICT ON ONE BALLOT

Mother of the Girl Receives the Verdict
with Emotion - Counsel For the De-
Tense Says He VIII Prove who the
Murderer II Impressive Closing
Scenes in the Trial ut Allentown.
Allentown, Pa.-Mrs. Catherine Bech-
tel was acquitted of the charge of be-
ing an accessory after the fact to the
murder of her daughter, Mabel Bech-
tel, In this city ON October 1921. When
the verdict vas announced Mrs. Bech-
tel sank into a chair and wept. Her
daughters and sons gathered about her,
and a crowd collected to congratulate
the family and counsel. The jury took
Il ballot only.
Judge Trexler told the jurymen that
they had discharged their duty with
fidelity and that they deserved the
thanks of the Court and the COM
munity. He said that it was not
proper for the Court to express an
opinion as to the verdict, but that his
sentiments might be gagged by his
ACA4AAAo " Tic jury. AS SOOu dS cuC
became composed, Mrs. Bechtel said:
Il know / am innocent, but I would
like to know who did it. If Mabel
were only here for a short time to tell
it."
Mrs. Bechtel was taken to the Office
OF her attorney, accompanied by her
children, and later she went home.
There is still a charge of murder
against her, and indictments as acces-
sorry before and after the fact against
her children. John, Charles and
Martha, but it is probable that they
will be stricken off the list at the April
term of the court. District Attorney
Lichtenwalner said he would do this
unless new developments should arise.
The District Attorney was disap-
pointed.
Captain Schaadt, counsel for Mrs.
Bechtel, said:
This is not the end of the case. l
have proved the Bechtels innocent, but
l do not propose to stop until the muir
derer, who | think is now known, is
brought to justice"
The jury. it is said, agreed upon a
verdict in five minutes after it retired.
Captain J. T.. Schaadt began his adj
dress to the jury. This was limited to
n hour and a half. The. defense
proposed at first to submit the case
without argument, but District Attor-
ney L~ichtenwalner declined the offer.
Captain Schaadt dwelt upon the treat
ment Tom Bechtel had received in the
lookup, and eontended that the refusal
of MI. Lichtenwalner to permit him to
attend the funeral of his sister was re-
sponsible for Toms suicide.
Just as ure as though he had used
a pistol or a knife upon this man in
jail, the District Attorney of Lehigh
County killed Tom Bechtel," shouted
Captain Schaadt. This is a sin upon
his soul that will be laid bare when
he stands before the judgment seat and
faces his Maker" This outburst made
q stir in the court room.
After declaring that Mabel Bechtel
vas killed outside the house and that
her dead body was brought there in a
tain Schaadt said:
There is little doubt in by mind
as to who killed this poor girl. l may,
before I am through with this case,
name him here in open court. 1t is on
my tongue to do so now, but ! will
not be hasty."
Neither Eckstein nor Weisenberger.
the girls lovers, were in court when
this declaration was made. seemingly
aimed at one or the other of them. Cap
tain Schaadt closed with an impas-
stoned appeal to the jury.
District Attorney Lichtenwalner con-
tended that Mable was struck down by
her brother Tom, who did not mean to
kill her, but when he found that the
wound would prove fatal it was de-
cided to finish the job in such a mSn-
ner that suspicion would be diverted
from those inside the house. He
charged that, aided by Mrs. Bechtel,
Tom carried the body down stairs and
placed it in the underground alleyway,
where 1t was found.
Judge Trexler told the jury that in
considering the case, especially the tes-
timony Of the experts, they should use
their good, common sense"