The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-28
S.BECHTEL GOES FREE
Impressive Closing Scenes in Fam
Gus Trial al Allentown.
HUGS AND KISSES FOR OLD LADY

Lawyer sehaadt Says He Has lnstf
tuted investigation BY Which He
Hopes to Clear Mystery Ct Murder
Of Mabel Bechtel.
Allentown. Pa, Jan. 25.-Mrs. Cath
crime Bechtel. the aged mother OF Ma
bel Bechtel, who was found murdered
last October, was acquitted OF the
charge OF being an accessory TO the
murder after the fact Her trial oecu-
pied nine days. and the jury deliberated
one hour before rendering their verdict
OF not guilty.
The gray-haired defendant received
the news of her acquittal with tears
and expressions Of Joy. She was i'm
mediately released from custody ana
went to her home. accompanied by her
sons and daughters. Martha, her
youngest daughter and her sons, John
and Charles, are under indictment on
a similar charge. but their trials have
been postponed until the April term OF
court. Former Mayor Schaadt, coun-
sci for Mrs. Bechtel, says he has insu-
tutcd an investigation by which ne
hopes to clear mp the mystery sur
rounding the murder Of the young
woman.
The greater part Of the last days
session of court was devoted to the az
guments of counsel and the judge 8
charge. The defense called several
neighbors and friends of the Bechtel
family as corrobOratiye witnesses. Mrs
Agnes Miller testified that she had OBJ
served what appeared TO be blood stains
I'm the areaway leading to her house.
This testimony was to substantiate the
theory of the defense that Mabel had
been killed OUTSIDE of her home and her
body dragged through Mrs. Miller S
yard to the alley OF Mrs. Bechtels resi-
dence. DR.. Cawley was recalled and
testified to finding blood stains on chips
OF wood taken from the steps OF the
Bechtels and Miller's underground al
leys. The commonwealth endeayored
through DR.. Lear to 90 extensively in
to the question OF blood tests, but
Judge Trexler stopped the redirect e&-
animation and the case ended.
Attorney Schaadt made an eloquent
plea for the acquittal of the accused
woman. and during his address direct
~ charged Eckstein with having q
guilty knowledge OF the crime. District
Attorney Lichtenwalner in his address
explained that the theory Of the com
monwealth was that Tom Bechtel had
killed his sister during quarrel, and
asserted that the evidence adduced had
proved the claim. Judge Trexler's
charge consumed half hour. II was
impartial.
The scenes following the rendering
OF the verdict We're at once pathetic
and Joyful No sooner had the stall
wart foreman Of the jury, Thomas
Bruch. announced in clear tones the
verdict. Not guilty" than glad ac-
claim arose throughout the crowded
court room. and it seemed as if the
entire audience had by sudden and
simultaneous impulse boiled over.
Judge Trexler, who sat sternly In
his seat. seized a gavel and loudly
bounded for order. It seemed, how
ever as II the judge thoroughly under
stood the feelings of the crowd, for he
hastily thanked the jury and adjourned
court.
It did not take the crowd, particu-
larly the feminine portion OF it, long
10 swarm through the gates Of the low
parapet that fences the legal arena
from the auditorium, and surround the
old mother and her three daughters.
who were clasped in each others arms
and sobbing with Joy.