The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-10
MRS. BECHTEL ACQUITTED
Jury Says She Did Not Share in
Daughters Murder.
VERDICT ON ONE BALLOT


fense Says He viii Prove Who tho
Murderer Is Impressive Closing
Scenes in the Trial at Allentown.
Allentown. Pairs Catherine Bech-
tel was acquitted o. the charge of be-
ing an accessory after the fact to the
murder of her daughter, Mabel Bech-
tel, in this city on October 26-27. When
the verdict was announced Mrs. Bech-
tel sank into a chair and wept. Her
daughters and sons gathered about her.
and crowd collected to congratulate
the family and counsel. The jury took
one 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 gauged by his
remarks to the jury. AS soon as she
became composed, Mrs Bechtel said:
II know am innocent. but would
like to know who did it. II 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
do not propose to stop until the muir
derer, who I 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. L. Schaadt began his ad-
dress to the jury. This was limited to
one hour and a half. The defense
proposed at first to submit the case
without argument, but District Attor-
ney Lichtenwalner declined the offer.
Captain Schaadt dwelt upon the treat
ment Tom Bechtel had received in the
lookup, and contended that the refusal
Of Mr.. Lichtenwalner to permit him to
4Io q,,v, Of O.
sponsible for Toms suicide.
Just as sure 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
a stir in the court room.
After declaring that Mabel Bechtel
was killed outside the house and that
her dead body was brought there in
cab. as the mother had testified, Cap
tain Schaadt said:
There is little doubt in my mind
as to who killed this poor girl. l may,
before I am through with this case,
udlue ullu uclc Ill OpCu Soul I. IL 40 VA
my tongue to do so now, but l 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 man
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 it 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"