The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-14
PROSECUTOR BEFOGGEDi
DELAYED A MURDER TRIAL
AloiS EckStein, Another of Mabel
Bechtel's Lovers, Acquitted
of Killing Her.
JUDGE IS PROVOKED

ALLENTOWN, Pa, Jan. 13.-Alois Eek
stein, one of the lovers of Mabel Bechtel,
who was so mysteriousy murdered last
October, was acquitted this afternoon Of
completely in the crime after a brief trial,
in which the conduct of the prosecution
sorely tried the patience, not only of Judge
Trexler, but also that of the jurymen and
counsel for the defense. E. j. Licktenwal-
ner. the district attorney of Lehigh county
was so befogged that it was with difficulty
the case was carried TO a conclusion. Sew
eral times the court interfered and threat
ened to end me proceedings for the day uu-
less the commonwealth conducted it's case
in a more orderly manner. AT the time the
district attorneys assistant in the case
took charge, only TO be set aside by the
district attorney later on. The court en-
dured the proceedings until after the jury
had been instructed TO render verdict of
acquittal when Judge Trexler adjourned
court.
The district attorney wanted to go ahead
with the trial of the accused members of
the Bechtel family, but the attorney for
the Bechtels protested emphatically. The
district attorney, however. was insistent
and ordered the names of the defendants
called. but the judge interrupted by say
ing TO the district attorney: DO you intend
to conduct the prosecution yourself or will
you rely on assistant counsel? If the lat
ter, the trial will go on, otherwise this
court will adjourn until tomorrow MORN
'The district attorney proposes to con-
duct this case himself" muttered the Off
cial
Then this court stands adjourned until
9 o'clock tomorrow morning. ordered the
judge.
Before court opened to-day the district
attorney admitted that he had very weak
case against Eckstein, and did not expect
to convict him. His hope that some
thing might develop during the eXamina-
ton of Eckstein that would lead TO cleW
TO the. real murderer or murderers. Two
neighbors testified to the finding of the
dead girls body, physician decribed the
wounds that caused her death, Mrs. Alli-
son Brobst the dead girls sister; Martha
Eckstein. the accused mans sister; David
Weisenberger, who was acquitted yester-
day of completely in the murder, and two
neghbors told what they knew of the case
The only point brought out was that Eek
stein and Mabel frequently quarreled, ano
that Eckstein is alleged to have said &c
her: You are trying TO drive me TO the
grave. but you may get there before me-
| This testimony was given by Mrs. Broost
who said she overheard the remark about
Weisenberger refused to answer many
| questions put to him with regard to his re-
| latiOns with Mabel.
| me eAdiiliidIoh ol bhS loSS NiNioEs
| called was prolonged beyond all reasonable
time. In fact, it looked at one time a:
/ though the district attorney was trying the
| case for the defense and Judge Trexler in
| terrupted him. saying: Are you trying e
establish an alibi for the defendants?'
! Finally the district attorney announced tina
/ the commonwealth had no other witnesse!
to examine and was therefore obliged TO ash
| that the defendant be acquitted. Judge Tex
| Ter instructed the jury accordingly. anC
/ without leaving their seats they rendered {
| verdict OF mot guilty
! Then followed the scene in which the cour
| took hand. and adjournment taker
for the day, three hours before the schedule
| time.