New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-14
TOO FUDDLED TO TRY CASE
BECHTEL TRIALS HALTED.
Judge Stops District AttOrney-
The Second Acquittal.
LsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Allentown. Penn Jan. 13-Owing to the condition
Of District Attorney E. j. Lichtenwalner, there
an abrupt adjournment this afternoon in the
Bechtel murder trial after Alois Eckstein one of
the suitors of the murdered girl had been acquitted
OF completely in the crime. Lichtenwalner so
befudded that it with difficulty the case
was carried TO a conclusion ard the shabby old
courtroom was the scene OF the wellngh un-
precedented spectacle of District Attorney after
hearing his witnesses and calling several Of
those originally summoned by the other side. ask
ing for a verdict OF mot guilty" In the words OF
Judge Trexler from ;he bench. the prosecuting at
torney had succeeded in establishing an alibi for
the defence
Several times the court interfered and threatened
TO end the proceedings for the day unless the
Commonwealth conducted it's case in a more order
ly manner At time the District Attorneys
assistant took charge. only be aside by his
chief later The proceedings endured until
after the jury had been Instructed to render a
diet Of acquitta when Judge Trexler adjourned the
court.
The of the trouble was unfortunately pat
enough when convened after the noon
recess. Mr. Lichtenwalner had returned court
in condition which 1t IS kindest TO believe was
the result OF natural indispositon, and from
that moment his went to pieces. His voice
thick. and his manner distracted He would
seem to forget asking question. and would repeat
II TO WEAKNESS. His queries were absurd. and at
last his inability properly to manage matters be-
painfully apparent that Judge Trexler
declared: IF the Commonwealth does not con-
duct its case in orderly manner I shall ADJOURN
court until tomorrow
Ihe District Attorney wanted to go ahead with
the trial Of the accused members OF the Bechtel
ia nily~ but, the attorney for the Bechtels pro-
tested emphatcally The District Attorney, how
ever was nsistent. and ordered the OF the
defendants called. but the Judge interrupted, say
ing 10 the District Attorney:
do you intend 70 conduct the prosecution your
self or will you rely assistant counsel? II the
latter the trial will otherwise the court will
adjourn until tomorrow morning
The District Attorney proposes TO conduct this
himself Lichtenwalner understood TO
reply
Then this court stands adjourned until O'Clock
tomorrow morning" ordered the judge.
Before court opened to-day the District Attorney
admitted that he had weak against Eek
stein. and did expect TO convict him. His hope
was that something might develop in the examina-
ton that would lead to n cew to the real murderer
murderers. The opening address OF Mr.. Lutz
who is assisting the District Attorney. exceed
ingly brief. and did not indicate that the Common
wealth expected to fasten completely in the mur-
der on Eckstein. Eight witnesses were called. but
the only point brought that Eckstein and
the girl frequently Quarrelled and that Eckstein
alleged have said to her:
You trying TO drive to the grave. but
you may get there before me-"
This testimony given by Mrs. Brobst the
dead girls sister. who said that she overheard the
remark about Easter last year.
David Welsenberger, who acquitted yester-
day OF completely in the crime. refused to answer
many questions put him with reference to mis- re-
lations with the girl.
The examination of the last two witnesses called
prolonged beyond all nable time In fact.
at one time II looked though the District Attor-
ney was trying the case for the defence and Judge
Trexler interrupted him. saying:
Are you trying TO establish aioi for the de-
fendant?''
Finally the District Attorney announced that the
Commonwealth had no more witnesses TO examine,
and therefore compelled ask that the de-
fendant be discharged. Judge Trexer instructed
the jury accordingly. and without leaving their
seats. they rendered verdict of not guilty.
The attempt to continue the and the ad-
journment of the court In consequence of the Dis
trtct Attorneys action followed.