Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-12
Big Crowd in the New York
Court This Morning.
ACTORS WIFE WAS THERE
Excluded From Room on Protest of
Mr.. Garvan.
HELEN Won HAGEN's MOTHER
Said Her Daughter Had Been Riding
With the Defendant Without Her
Parents Consent.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
NEW YORK, March 1o.-When the trial
of Raymond Hitchcock. the comedian, on
charges made by little girls was resumed
today in the criminal branch Of the SUI
preme court Juror Louis Schachne. who
was selected as foreman. was excused
on account Of sickness. His withdrawal
left two seats in the jury box to be
filled
The defense. 1t was said today, will pro-
duce evidence to show that companion
of the girls who have brought charges
against Hitchcock was a witness against
man named Sontagg before the grand
jury about year ago on complaint SIM
liar to that alleged against the present
defendant, and that the grand jury re-
fused to return an indictment.
Hitchcock's wife, Flora Isabelle. and
woman companion. said to be Miss
Duckmeister." were interested spectators
of today's proceedings. They sat in
what Is known as the 'Thaw pew" d.
rectly behind the comedian, but did not
converse with him.
Jurors Family Men.
The prospect of hearing testimony of a
decidedly interesting nature brought a
large crowd to the criminal court build
ing, and every seat in the room was filled
long before the monotonous work of jury
getting was begun. Under strict orders
from Justice Blanchard no women. ex-
cepting the defendant and her companion,
were admitted. although many tried to
get through the police lines. Only one
of the ten Jurors SO far chosen is past
middle age, and all except one are mar
ried and have children.
Carl Adae an insurance broker, was
the first Juror chosen at the opening SEES
sion. He took the place of Louis Schachne
as the foreman.
The twelfth Juror was selected at IL 40
am. He is Walter G. Gilbert. manager
of storage warehouse. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Garvan then opened for the
prosecution.
Excluded Flora Zabelle.
Mr.. Caravan, before he began his open
ing, objected to the presence OF Hitch
cocks wife and companion in the court
| room and they were forced to leave. All
the other witnesses on both sides also
| had to leave the room.
Mr. Caravans opening address was a
| brief recital of the facts charged i'm the
indictment.
The first witness was Mrs. Mary vOr
Hagen, Helen Won Hagen's mother. Sht
said Helen was born July %, 1891, and
| was, therefore, sixteen years of age last
July.
lis it not true that you allowed your
daughter to go riding with Mr.. Hitch
cock in his automobile while you lived
in Great Neck?" asked Mr.. Stanchfield
in cross-examination.
NO" replied the witness. Il heard
she went riding with him, but 1t was
against my will
Landlady Testifies.
Mrs. Dewitt, middle-aged woman who
| said she kept a boarding house during
November, 1906 at 124 West 41st street,
was the next witness. She said she had
rented a room on the first floor rear to
Mr.. Hitchcock.
Did you know il Mr.. Hitchcock ever
| took any girls to his room?' asked Mr..
Stanchfield.
| mo, 1 did not replied the witness.
| "If l had know ii l would never have
allowed ii"