The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-06
.ERB DEFENSE FEELS
SURE OF ACQUITTAL
Case Will Doubtless Go to
the Jury This After
noon.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 6.-The Erb
murder case. on trial at Media since a
week ago yesterday. win in all probable
ity so 20 the jury before the court
takes it's recess today.
Those who have followed the case
closely expect that a verdict viii be re-
turned within a short time after the
jury takes the case, and both Mrs M
Florence Erb and Mrs. Catherine Bel
sci, charged jointly with the murder of
Captain Erb, viii undoubtedly know
their fate before the dawn of another
day.
When court opened this morning
Frank b. Rhoades. Of counsel for the
defense, took up the plea in behalf of
The accused sisters where his colleague,
NJ Roger FrOntheId, had left on at the
close of the night session OF court last
evening and In a powerful and mastery
address to the jury attempted to show
that Mrs Erb had nothing whatever
TO do with the tragedy at Red Gables, "
and that every act OF Mrs. Beiseli In
Guiding the killing of Captain Erb, was
Justified and in selE-defense.
MacDade to Close.
When Mr.. Rhoades has finished his
address he will be followed by District
Attorney MacDade who is entitled, un-
Ger the law, to the last word, and then
viii come the courts charges to the
jury.
Should the case so TO the jury early
IL will not be at all surprising If a Yer
dict should be rendered before night
although many who have followed the
case expect a disagreement when il
comes to disposing Of the charge
against Mrs. Betsel. who has confessed
10 shooting the captain. Her story OF
self-defense is based largely upon the
truth of the story she tells about taking
the revolver from a strong man Ike
Captain Erb during a desperate strug-
gle. and there may be some on the jury
who viii want TO discount some of the
womans testimony.
There are few-very few, however
who expect TO see Captain Erb's widow
convicted i'm any degree whatever. and
SO confident are the friends and rela-
lives OF the women that both viii be
acquitted, that arrangements have been
made for carriages 10 be in waiting
from the time the jury goes out that
both Mrs. Beisel and Mrs. ETb may be
hurried away.
Shows commence.
Just where they viii be taken to has
not been disclosed, but their confidence
iu acquittaI is shown In the fact that
an arrangements have been completed
for the departure Of both OF them.
Should Mrs, Erb be acquitted OF the
charge of completely in the murder Of
her husband if is understood that she
viii Immediately institute proceedings
90 establish herself at Red Gables" as
the Iightful owner Of the mansion on
the ground that, no matter what the re-
latious between herself and her hus-
band might have been. she was his
wife under the law and is, therefore.
entitled to share in his estate as a wife
would
Almost Immediately following Captain
Erb's death, and while Mrs. Erb was
stIIl iu jail. Captain Erb's sisters, un-
der the advice OF the captains PhUsdeI-
phia friends, moved into RED Gables"
and took possession declaring that Mrs.
ETb should never share IL as a home
III Is understood that Mrs. Erb. If ac-
quilted, expects TO go into court 20
prove her right to tho place as a home