Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-21
CLASH OF EXPERTS.
Those for Defence Will Combat
States Evidence.
Whole Family Will Fight Hard 10
Prove Their Innocence.
Say Murder Was Outside House
Blood Test Attacked.

Allentown, Pa, Jan. 20-The battle
OF the experts or the blood in the
Bechtel trial came to an end. This
evening, and, tomorrow, every member
Of the Bechtel family will be placed on
the witness stand in an enaeavor 10
prove that the aged mother is not
guilty Of being an accessory after the
fact in the killing of her daughter.
Mabel. The defense called six experts,
today, and each declared that the bio
logical CT Bordet test the new method
for determining the difference between
human and animal blood, was not 4
standard one and was unreliable.
Attorney Schaadt in opening the case
for the defense. said he would prove
that all the stains were either from
tobacco juice or from Thomas Bechters
dog. He said it would also be shown
that no member Of the Bechtel family
had . hand in the killing Of Mabel, ana
that she was murdered away from
homo.
The last witness for the common
wealth was Frank w. Hauck who was
in the Bechtel home on the day Mabers
body was found. His testimony was
unirIpcrtant
Counsel for the defendant asked that
the bills of Indictment be dismissed on
the ground Of lack of evidence. In an
Swer to this motion District Attorney
Lichtenwalner Stated that While the
commemorative case rested entirely
uron circumstantial evidence it was of
sufficient strength to warrant the
placing of the Indictment before a jury.
THE theory of the commonwealth"
said Mr.. Lichtenwalner, lis that
Thomas Bechtel was the principal fell
on. We believe that he committed the
crime and after it's commission was
shielded by Mrs. Catherine Bechtel III
SUPPORT OF this theory the strongest evil
uence is the suicide of Thomas Bechtel
in a prison cell and testimony of DR..
Lear ana the many other witnesses
who testified"
Judge Trexlar declared that he
would rot go into 4 legal discussion Of
the merits OF the argument. nor would
he give his reason for deciding that
the defense should go on with its case.
He merely said: Il will hear the de
Tense
Attorney Schaadt then began his
case with 4 short address 70 the jury.
He said
I'VE will prove to you that the stains
which two inexperienced doctors declare
to be human blood stains were nothing
moro than stains produced by tobacco.
We will show to you pllow-cases, pieces
of linen and other fabrics. ON which
within u day or two tobacco stains nave
been made, and We will ask you to COM
pare them with the stains shown on the
hosttr-caSe by the commonwealth.
I'VE will further prove to you that the
hatchct which the state produced as the
weapon With which Mabel Bech:cl was
killed had been broken in Il mill, last sum
mer. and more than that. We will prove
to you beyond all doubt that Mabel
Rechtel was seen alive on Monday, the |
day before her death. The members of
this afflicted family will go upon the wit
ness stand and tell YOU frankly ana free |
l. of the occurrences in their home on |
Sunday. Monday and Tuesday. from oct. ,
p to n
This old and gray-haired defendant |
will 80 upon that stand and tell YOU all |
that she knows about her daughters VIC |
lent death. and then. gentlemen. YOU can |
Judge for yourselves if this woman is |
the fcnd she has been painted or merely |
Il kind old notherly woman.
Morris f. Cowlcy, physician of this |
city. was called to testify concerning the |
much-discussed blood stains. lie said the |
microscopic and chemical tests failed to |
show blood stains on the carpets. hatchet |
and bedding submitted to him TO analyze. |
But blood was found on the wall paper |
and undervest. He said the biological |
test was a new ono in application but not |
in principle and that the medical probes |
sion is approac ching the test with caution. |
The witness in the presence Of the jury |
gave the GaElcum test |
DR.. Cawlcy followed on the stand by |
DR. w. a. Hausman of the Allentown hos
pital staff as instructor of histology at |
Muehlenberg College lie assisted DR..
Ca~ley in his test and corroboratcd cv |
arything he said.
Dr Avid Davidson. professor If biol |
ogy at Lafayette College DIR. Milton No |
bile of Philadelphia, and Drs. X. Keller |
IIartZell and Frederick Fcthcrolf of AL |
lentown. Were examined in quick success |
sion. All dscrcdited the Bordet test. |
In order to permit one OF the Jurors to |
attend the funeral Of 4 brother. court |
will not sit tomorrow morning. |
Attorney Schaadt for the defence said |
he will call Mrs. Bcchtel to the stand. to- |
morrow afternoon, and that her children |
Will follow her in the order of their |
seniority.