The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-24
.HECHLER GOES ON
STAND. FOR HIMSELF
Denies All knowledge Of
Alleged Illegal Pay
ment Of laxes.
ADMITTEDGENTRY
WAS. AN ADH ERENT t
Prisoner Brings Into Court $50
Check, Which Had Been Given
Son-in-Law Case Will Be
Argued To-Day, Two and
Half Hours Being Ac-
corded Each Side.


tile court and counsel for either side,
the trial OF Henry G. Hechler, charged
with fraudulently paying and being
concerned In the illegal payment OF
poll taxes before the recent Democratic
primary In Henrico county, which 1t
was hoped would be finished yesterday.
was adjourned to 9:30 o'clock this
morning, In order to allow the court
time In which to consider tho instruc-
tions handed in to him late yesterday
evening.
The day was characterized by dull
tedium rather than by anything un-
usually interesting, the most interest
ing feature OF the case occurring when
Mr.. Hechler took the stand in his own
behalf. AS to whether the defendant
made a good witness must be Judged
according to the construction placed
on his answers to the queries rather
sharply put to him by Mr.. Smith. prose-
cutting, who. though endeavoring by
every means to extract information
from the unwilling lips OF Mr.. Hechler,
seemed rather kindly disposed towards
him.
Mr.. Hechler's statements were nearly
all In the form OF a denial. He denied
having been approached by any OF the
witnesses. several OF whom had stated
that they had talked with him In re-
gard to the payment of their taxes:
he denied positively that he knew of or
had authorized the Inscription OF his
name on the stubs of receipts in the
tax books, and he denied having asked
a single one of those who had tcsti-
fled to vote for him.
Explained His Method.
At this point he wished to explain.
and in doing so stated that he had a
peculiar method Of electioneering-he
H.. RI ~
consideration. not TO vote for him.
Mr.. Smith asked him whether he kept
bank account, and on receiving an
affirmative reply, asked him to bring
his check and bank books to court.
On STRENUOUS objection by counsel for
defense, the prosecution was denied
this; but on the specific request for
such checks as were made out to or
indorsed by Newton Gentry. the court
declared such evidence to be permis-
sibie. Hechler brought in check
which had been given to Gentry. but in
explaining the matter stated he thought
Gentry needed the money to pay off
some bills. and that 1t was not infre-
quent for him to let Gentry have
money.
Several delays caused the trial to be
continued to-day. but 1t is hoped IT may
be finished by early afternoon. Mr..
Smith will open the argument, and
Messrs. Fulton and D. c. Richardson
will speak for the defense. Time is
limited to two and a half hours to a
side.
Counsel for the defense were ten
minutes late in arriving at the court
mouse.
No Guilty Knowledge.
Mr. Fulton asked that the jury be
excused that he might submit a motion.
He said that Mr.. Smith had promised
at the beginning of the trial to prove
that Mr.. Hechler had guilty knowl-
edge of the payment of poll taxes. that
Is. knowledge prior, to payment OF the
taxes. He had not done so. said Mr..
Fulton nor had he brought forth a
scintilla OF evidence to connect Hech-
Ter With the illegal payments. Except
In the cases of Steinhach and Mont
gomery, who had stated they had cons
versed with Hechler. it had been
shown that EIechler did not know any
timing about the payment fstaxes, not
particle Of evidence showing guilty
knowledge on the part of the defen-
dant and he moved that the evidence
OF all other witnesses be stricken from
the testimony.
The court held that it was proper
| for the prosecution to prove payment
by Gentry, and then to establish that
Hcchler had been possessed OF guilty
knowledge of the Illegal payments.
He said that the question Of sufficiency
OF evidence was for the decision of the
Jury, not himself.
The court, therefore, overruled tho
motion.
j. w. Eanroughty was the first Wit
| ness sworn. Flo was asked as to corr
|.rectness of entry in tax books shows
ling that Hechler had paid his taxes.
EIe said that 1t was erroneous; that he
paid his taxes himself. with his OWL,
| money. Replying to Mr.. Smith, he said
Inc went into clerks office With Mr.,
Hechler, but his memory was very clear
las. to paying his taxes himself. Mr..
Smith read him an extract from his
Testimony before the grand juries, in
which witness had stated he was not
sure whether money had passed be-
tween himself and Iiechler. He per-
sisted however, that he was clear on
1.-the point now. and that he did remem-
her paying himself with, his own
4 money.
Enroughty was called again. Mr..
4 he had paid for one year and Hechler
/ for another. The 1906 taxes We're paid,
laccording to the hooks, on May 3, 1901
4 When witness, 1t Is said, was not here.
Witness showed tax receipts for May
Sd, ard counsel for the defense tried
i to prove the books to be Inaccurate.
1T seemed. however, that they Were
correct.
Ilechlcr ON stand.
Mr.. Hecller himself was then put
4 on the stand,
The courtroom Immediately became
stilled.i every one listening to hear what
1.-The defendant might say In his own
behalr Replying 10 Mr., Fulton, lie
denied paying w, D. Montgomery's
taxes or having met him in the road
as the latter testified. IIe said Mont
4 gonlery came to his house and h a told
him 10 go to SOC II Gentry had paid
4 MS tIontgpmery's) tax. He sent
Continued ON e bird isIla gc.)