Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-24
SCOUT SEYLER TALE
Police Witnesses Say Prison.
er's Account Is Impossible.
"COULDN'T SEE GIRL FALL"
His Counsel Denounces Third De-
gree Methods.
DRUGGED CIGARETTES, MAYBE
Capt. Whalen Denies Rough Treat
ment of Suspect-Prosecu-
tion Rests Case.
)RUGGED CIGARETTES, MAYBE

MAYS LANDING, n. j., May 24.-The
prosecution in the trial of William Seyler
charged with numbering Jane Adams.
rested its case shortly before noon today
The case was made chiefly on the testi-
mony of physicians that the girl died as
the result of blows on the face or head,
and statements made by William Seyler,
the alleged murderer of the seventeen
year-old girl, and his young brother, Orvis
Seyler
Before the trial was resumed Seyler
fondled his three-year-old daughter Bessie
as he sat in his place beside a court con-
stable. His wife, who has been steadfast
in her devotion to him since the Febru
airy day when his trouble started, brought
the little girl to the courthouse early.
Police Methods Scored.
Third degree methods were scored by
Attorney Edmund c. Gaskell, counsel for
Seyler. when the police officers. includ-
ing Captain of Detectives Whalen. Chief
of Police Woodruff and Detective Miller,
were called to the stand by Prosecutor
Goldenberg to testify to the alleged vol
untary confession made by Seyler to the
authorities after he had been brought
back from Petersburg. Va.
Peter Goldenberg was sworn and testi-
fled that he was present when Seyler
made his confession, and that no force
or threats had been used to make the
prisoner make a confession.
"Orvis told u.s. said the prosecutor.
that William couldn't sleep the first
night in Virginia He told Orvis that he
down to the platform and roll off into
the sea: that he climbed down to rescue
her, but she never came up.
Seyler's Story Discredited.
Capt Richard Whalen told of taking
Seyler out on the million dollar pier to
the wave water house.
He told u.s. said the captain where
Jane Adams backed off, and where he
was standing at the time she fell This
place was narrow aperture between the
railing and motor house.
''Seyler said he ran down the ladder,
but couldn't see her. continued Whalen.
He then went off the pier.
Whalen said he stood on the spot where
Seyler asserted he was when Jane fell,
and said it was impossible to see a per-
sen fall off in the manner the defendant
designated
Capt. Whalen said that at the exami
nation of Seyler and his brother no
weapons Of any kind were exhibited, and
tNdC l-n1el OF fOlCe WON Uiu HOl
protest against the treatment of the
prisoner. as had been alleged.
Chief Woodruff, the next witness, said
the prisoners were net starved or Ill
treated. but were treated better than
most prisoners.
Talk of Drugged Cigarettes.
Counsel for the defendant, In examin-
ing the police witnesses. laid stress on
him during the examination, and inti-
mated that they may have been drugged.
Robert Miller, the detective. testified
that he brought Seyler a package of
cigarettes the Sunday after the pris
| oner returned from Virginia. and that he
delivered them to him without the seal
being broken. He said that no loose
cigarettes had been given Seyler. and
that no weapons were in evidence during
the time the prisoner was being eX-
amined by the police.
James Malseed. another detective, cor
| roborated the other police witnesses.
| Capt. Whalen was recalled and told of
going with Seyler, Prosecutor Goldenberg
and two detectives to the pier. he said
Seyler told them how Jane Adams had
backed off the pier and pointed out where
she stood when she disappeared.
With the aid of a model of a portion of
the pier, Whalen illustrated the alleged
| fall as Seyler described it,
Miller, the detective, when recalled cor
roborated Whalen.
The commonwealth at this point rested
| it's case. Attorney Gaskill at once began
| his opening address for the defense.
Prosecutor Accuses Seyler.
The special panel of forty-eight talesmen
drawn for the trial by Sheriff johnson
was nearly exhausted before a jury was
selected yesterday. The members were
| warned by Justice Trenchard against
reading newspapers during the trial or
| conversing with other persons.
Seyler was cool and collected as he
shook hands with his counsel Edmund
c. Gaskill, jr.. and nodded TO friends and
relatives in the court.
In his opening Prosecutor Goldenberg
made the statement that Miss Adams met
her death defending her honor.
Witnesses Called by State.
| The first witness called by the state was
| William Hammell. the motorman who
discovered the girls body on the beach
after she had been missing more than a
! week With the aid of the conductor.
| he pulled II out of the surf
Charles Adams. father of the dead girl,
went on the stand just before the noon
| recess He concluded his testimony when
| the court reopened.
DIR. Lewis Souder, county physician
| who performed the autopsy, was then
| called by the state. He said that the
| girl died from a wound inflicted before
she entered the water In this he was
| c0rroborated by DR.. Marvel
Alice Adams, sister of Jane took the
stand late in the afternoon. She told 10
I rninnfeSf detail the incidents Of he