The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-16
Or. KOCH Will Talk
FOR HIS LIFE TODAY
New UIm Dentist Will Go On
Stand in His Own
Defense
from a Staff Correspondent

From a Staff Correspondent
~ NEW ULM, Mimi, Jan. f5.-Dr.
George r.. Koch is due to take the
stand today and tell of doings on the
night of the murder of DR.. Gebhard.
By the friends of the defense it is
realized that much depends upon this
testimony. If Koch can go through
the ordeal without contradiction or ap-
parent weakness, if he talks frankly
and openly, it is altogether probable
that he will make favorable impress
sion.
And there is no question but the de-
fendant will be on his mettle, and that
he will use all the ability and acumen
at his command to resist the on
slaughts of the attorneys for the state.
Talking for his life, the defendant is
naturally expected to take more than
a passing interest in what he says,
and the handsome young physician.
healthful in appearance, clear eyed
and apparently clear headed will it
is believed, prove a match for the
wary attorneys who would trap him
into making admissions damaging to
his case.
With so much depending upon the
story that he tells DIR. Koch will be
safely guided through the direct ex-
animation by his attorneys. But the
crucial test comes when he is passed
over to Gen. Childs, special counsel for
the state. For the prosecution, also.
much depends upon the story told by
the defendant. A contradiction, hes
itation and the narrative of Koch
might easily be suspected as untrue by
the jurymen. And Koch has no easy
task
Before he was formally accused of
the crime he had talked with many
persons, had been examined by the
citizens committee, had been inter-
viewed, and with all of these state
ments his testimony must conform.
The difficulty of telling exactly the
same thing in exactly the same way at
different times has been found to be
very difficult by all who have tried it,
One material slip of the tongue, one
pointed contradiction of former state
ments and Koch will find himself
f1ayed with cross-questions and pos
sibly discredited in rebuttal. But it is
generally believed that Koch will be a
match for the attorneys for the state.
Interest in the trial is at a. climax.
The story Of the defendant is awaited
with the most lively interest, and al
ready there are many new arrivals in
the little town. Every indication points
to a crowd at the trial today that will
quickly fill the court room, leaving a
large percentage Of those who would
listen to the evidence on the outside.
Even those of the townspeople who
have stood aloof and refused to at
tend the trial heretofore, almost with
out exception, now desire to hear the
final climax in the notable case. 1t is
generally realized that If DR.. Koch
passes through the ordeal in salts
factory manner the evidence will be
practically complete. Besides him
there are but couple of unimportant
witnesses for the defense. There will
follow the rebutta1 evidence of the
state, and possibly the defense may
contradict the rebuttal.
Arguments of the attorneys for the
state and for the defense are expected
to be lengthy, covering all the features
of the evidence that has been placed
before the jury. Barring the occur
renee of something unusual and at
present unforeseen, it is estimated that
the case should be sent to the jury on
Wednesday, and at the latest Thursday.
The time consumed depends to some
extent on the amount and nature of
the rebuttal evidence introduced by the
state. There is, a world of possibility
in such evidence. 1t will doubtless be
the purpose of the state to contradict
in the most forceful manner the testi-
mony of the defendant. But it is not
now expected that the introduction of
this evidence will materially delay the
end of the trial.