Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-18
EDUCATOR is ON
TRIAL FOR MURDER
ACCUSED OF KILLING WlFE's
MOTHER
Professor Karl Hau, Formerly OF
George Washington University
Faces a Jury In German
Court
Rv Associated Press.

| By Associated Press.
| KARLSRUHE, Germany, July H.
The trial of Karl Hau, charged with
the murder of his mother-in-la Frau
Molitor in Baden Baden on the even
ing of November g. 1906, began in this
city today.
Hau was at one time professor OF
Roman law in George Washington
university, Washington. D. c. He prac-
ticed law in Washington up to the time
of his going abroad with his family
about year ago. After the alleged
murder he fled to London, where he was
taken into custody.
Mrs Hau committed suicide by
drowning in June of this year, leaving
farewell in which she said she could
no longer bear the sorrow OF living
apart from her husband
1t was once reported that Hau had
confessed to the murder of Frau Moli-
tor. but this was later denied.
Hau entered the court room today
three minutes before the session
opened He was accompanied by his
counsel. DR.. Dietz, and two gendarmes.
One of these officers sat Immediately
behind the prisoner during the entire
session, the muzzle of his rifle showing
above the DacK OF the seat oSSuPiSu ~
the prisoner
Hau chatted cheerfully with his
counsel, while the newspaper men pres
ent crowded around the green table
fronting the judges bench to inspect
the gruesome exhibit of Frau Molitors
heart in glass vessel filled with alco-
hol. There was a gaping wound in the
center.
Jury Quickly Selected
The selection of a jury from venire
of twenty eight men, of which either
side could reject seven, occupied only
ten minutes Afterward a list of more
than seventy witnesses and ten ex-
perts to be called was read.
The presiding Judge examined Hau
for three hours. Hau pleaded not
guilty to the charge against him, but
admitted having been In Baden Baden
the night of the tragedy.
The examination took wide range,
including Hau's life in Washington ana
his visits to Constantinople, in an un-
successful attempt to negotiate conces-
sions from the porte for certain Amer
lean firms.
Afterward he visited his mother-in-
law in Baden Baden for a week. Then
ne went to Paris, accompanied by MS
wife and ster-in-law, Olga Molitor,
The Judge here showed the prisoner
a telegram sent from Paris signed |
"Olga," asking her mother to come to
Paris Immediately and which was not
sent by Olga Hau refused to say
whether he had written this telegram
or not.
Here the Judge reminded him of what
the experts affirmed in this connection |
and warned him of the risk he incurred
in making denials. Hau also declined to
say whether or not he had had disa-
greement in Paris with his wife owing to
her jealousy of her sister, Olga.
The Judge then called Hau's attention |
TO the fact that on his arrival in London, |
on his way to the United States he had
received a telegram recalling him to the
continent and selecting Berlin as meet
ing place with an unidentified person
Hau had shown this telegram to his wife
to Justify his trip. He admitted he had
sent the message himself.
Wore False Beard
Hau admitted having had wig and a
false beard.
He said he threw the wig and beard |
from the car window after leaving Char
ing Cross and that his only object in
using them had been to leave London I'M
recognized.
He admitted, however, to having had
second false beard made at Frankfort
He admitted going to Karls-
ruhe November g. the day of the murder,
wearing a false beard. He refused to
say why he had telephoned Frau Molitor
to come to the railroad station.
Asked whether or not he had heard the |
shot fired which caused Frau Molitor's
death he refused to answer. He also re- |
fused to say whether he carried pistol, |
The Judge read an extract from the |
will of Hau's wife, left by her with her
OF before committing S1li- |
eide.
One provision of this document is that |
her little daughter should take another
name. The judge said this indicated that
Mrs Hau was convinced of her husbands
guilt. Hau replied with much feeling that
he had not had single opportunity while
in prison to have a private talk with his
wife and that If he had she never could
have gained such a conviction.
The judge, before closing the session of
the court confronted Hau repeatedly with
the grave evidence against him, but he
only elected refusals to answer.
At. the afternoon session Olga Moltor,
who accompanied her mother on the fatal
walk, testified to hearing the steps of a
person walking back and forth in the
park. These steps seemed suddenly to
come much nearer and then there was a
terrific" explosion in the immediate
vicinity Her mother sank unconscious.
Olga saw a man making haste to get
away The collar of his overcoat was
turned up, and the lower part of the
mans coat was wide and flowing. as de-
scribed by other witnesses who saw Hau
at the Carlsruhe station Olga said she
did not see the mans face.
Medical experts and Privy Councillors
Newman of Baden Baden and Andrew of
Carlsruhe then described the autopsy.
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