The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-17
SECRETARY HELD
FOR DEATH Of
JOHN LEONARD
Grand Jury Will Investigate
Killing of Wealthy Mont
clair Resident.
MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE
AGAINST THE PRISONER
Widow of Steel Magnate Is Sure
the Bullet Was Discharged
by Accident.

Walter c. Phillips. the confidential
secretary whose pistol shot and killed
his millionaire employer, John Leonard.
today held for the grand jury by
Prosecutor Mott on charge of in
voluntary manslaughter.
Phillips was brought to Newark to-
day, and after the prosecutor had had
a long interview with him he issued
this statement
Mr.. Phillips tells u story which
seems to be true There is no evidence
that it is not true. and all circun-
stances point to its truth. But in my
mind there is a belief that his conduct
was so negligent that l am compelled
to submit the case to the grand jury
for its consideration. The grand jury
may decide that Mr.. Phillips is guilty
OF involuntary manslaughter. There
fore, / shall have to make q complaint
against him and have him committed
to Jail. Bail may be arranged after |
have conferred with the court
Pastor Cheers Pris0ner,
Jail but he was considerably cheered
by the appearance OF hls pastor the
Rev. Dr. Robert w Courtney. of the
Thirty-fourth Street Collegiate Churcn,
New York Mr.. Philips is one of the
elders of that church and DR.. Courtney
said he was prepared TO provide any
amount of bail demanded Tor the sec
retary's appearance when wanted,
Al. r.
before tomorrow. 1t is expected that
it will be heavy. as the maximum PEN
atty for involuntary manslaughter is
ten years.
After finding the weapon Phillips said
he was showing it to Mr.. Leonard. He
stated that Mr.. Leonard reached UP
both hands to take the revolver. Phil"
lips was not certain whether he was
holding the pistol or whether 1t was
in Leonard's hands when it was Gis-
charged
County Physician Elliott reported to-
day that the bullet had entered low
and had ranged up through the body,
the clothing being powder burned. tie
said that according to this it was evil
dent that Mr.. Leonard himself held The
gun, as it was not likely that the outlet
would have taken such a course had
he been shot with another person hold
ing the weapon.
Wife Says Accident.
Mrs Leonard, the young widow G
the iron magnate, and the trained
nurse who had been attending him sew
eral months. told the county physician
that they believed Mr.. Leonard had
been shot accidentally, that they had
heard no quarreling. and that the men
had been very friendly for a long time.
The statement OF Philips tnat he
found the weapon while on the way
to the Leonard home was confirmed
by the gardene, to whom he showed il
when he picked it up.
Chief of Police Gallagher, of Mont
clair, said that Phillips had nothing to
gain and everything TO lose by his cm-
ployers death.
kept Phillips Employed.
When Mr.. Leonard turned his iron
business over to a corporation he re-
tanned in his own name scrap
tained in his own name a scrapiron
business at $40 Avenue A, Manhattan,
in order to keep Phillips in position
1t was to report on this business that
Phillips went to see Leonard. The prn-
cipal business was dealing In old horse
shoes. Phillips had entire charge of the
CONTINUED ON Thirteenth Pageo
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