Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1905-01-11
.RA|S|NGER CASE
BEFORE THE JURY
Awful Tale of Jersey Farmer
Charged With Wife
Murder
SPECTATORS FILLED With HORROR

Bridgeton. N. j., Jan. 1.-THE testi-
mony In the case OF Frank Raislnger.
the Shiloh farmer, on trial for the
murder Of his wife, was submitted be
fore the court yesterday, and the case
was given to the jury today. The pros
ecuuon closed shortly after court con
vened, and the remainder Of the ses-
sion was given over to the defense.
The accused man took the stand in his
own defense He admitted shooting
his wife but did not remember why
he did IT,
The attorney for Raisinger made a
strong effort to prove that the accused
man was insane. His principal wit
ness was Or. Milton r. Mobiles, OF
Philadelphia, who pronounced Rails
niger a degenerate. Drs. Ellsmore
Sites. David oliver and John Moore,
all of this city we're called as wit
nesses by the prosecution, and each
declared that Raisinger was sane and
responsible for his acts.
Raisinger was put on the stand for
the purpose OF showing that as the
result Of vicious practices he was often
in such a mental condition as not 10
be responsible for HIS acts. The state
ments made by the defendant filled
his listeners with horror. A story
showing depravity OF the lowest
depths was told, one that has seldom
been equalled in any court
when he began his story his face
bore the same expression which has
characterized Il since the murder
with his peculiar looking eyes rlveted
on the floor he unblushingly made
statements that caused more than one
of his auditors TO turn his head away
with shame. After questions of this
nature had been concluded. Raisingel
told Of the killing OF his wife. His
story did not materially differ from
those already made public, except thai
he declared that he shot his wife Will,
she was lying on the kitchen floor.
When Raisinger was cross-examinet
by District Attorney Fithian he sur
prised everybody by making the state
ment that after he shot his wife h
tried TO commit suicide by turning thu
shotgun on himself, but on account o
/ the awkward way In which he had L
hold the gun he was unable 10 pull tn,
trigger.
This stage OF the proceedings wa
exceedingly dramatic. and Raisinger
coolly and collectedly, handled tn
weapon and showed how he killed hi
wife and then tried self-destruction.
The startling part Of the cross-e'
animation was that fthe prosecute
was unable 10 obtain any motive 70
the murder from the testimony OF On
witness. He denied that his. wife wa
angry with him. and that she struggle
against him. He said she lay on IN
. kitchen floor. and he. for no reaso
whatever. went into the sitting room
and, getting the weapon, came. bac
, and shot her. He then went back int
the other room. and. lying on tn
, couch. pointed the gun at HIS breas
, and. stretching his arm out, tried |
, pull the trigger, but was unable 4
Then he returned and shot the woma
again. She was still alive when h
fired the second shot, as her head wa
moving and her hands twitching.
Raislnger was succeeded on tn
stand by his brother Albert, who wa
called to corroborate some Of the pri
oner's stories Of the depravity to whic
! he (Frank) was addicted.