New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-20
THE WO[TER TRIAL


Continued from nrst page
escape. and that he opened IL after he
had hurled Il down into the yard
Mrs. Taggert. who had previously told
the police that she smelled smoke from
an adjoining apartment on the afternoon
Of Ruth Wheeler's death. was the next
witness. Her story, which was regarded
as important In fixing the time OF the
alleged crime. had been read by Wolter
and he regarded her testimony with re-
newed interest
II saw the bundle on Thursday sven
ing, March "a" said Mrs. Tssgert. Some
one was pushing II on the fire escape
from the window Of VOTERS apartment.
The incident did not make an impress
sion on me until Saturday. when a
neighbor spoke about the unsishtly OBJ
struction."
Did you smell anything at any time
on Thursday when you were in your
htchen?" asked Mr.. Moss
II did not" replied Mrs. TaSgert.
Wolter glanced at his lawyer when the
witness failed to make the point which
was expected by the prosecution.
Mrs. Taggert vas cross-examined by
Mr.. Scott She said that she looked at
the bundle when II was opened in the
yard. and that she was sure the wrap
pings which were among the exhibits in
court were the same as had been used TO
screen the crime
Another keishbor Testifes.
Mrs. Francis Ringels. Of No. ODD East
10Th street, said that she noticed the bag
on the fire escape on Saturday, March
26. and that she made several efforts to
remove II. She told of an examination
Of the package. which lay beside a
smaller bundle. The big package had
blood stains on II. according to Mrs
Ringels's evidence.
Mrs. Ringels was amused at Mr..
Scotts efforts to wiring more evidence
from her. When he began his cross-ex-
animation she started to laugh Then
she explained that she had peculiar ar
rangement with the Tasgerts which
gave her the use OF their kitchen. Mr..
Ringels was excused from giving any
further testimony.
John Mohl. the janitor of the apart
ment where Wolter and Hatcher Mueller
lived. was called by the prosecution to
break down Mr.. SCOTS assertion that
another man who had access to VOTERS
apartment murdered Ruth Wheeler.
After Mr.. Mohl had told of the circum-
stances under which Wolter rented the
apartment he identified the paint and
brush which were found in the rooms
He also recognized the wrappings which
had been used TO conceal the body of the
dead girl.
Janitor Under Examination.
Was there lock on VOTERS door,
asked Mr.. Moss.
Yes. patent lock" said Mr.. Mohl.
There were only two keys: one was in
my possession and the other vas used by
Wolter."
Mr.. Mohl identified the lock.
Then Mr.. Scott took the witness in
hand. He hurled a stream OF questions
at Mohl and later said that he was salts
fed that he had gained his point.
rs the fire escape ten fee: below the
roof" asked Mr.. Scott
1T is replied the witness.
Then Mr. Scott asked II il would be
possible to get to the roof from the in
side Of the building Mr.. Mohl ex-
planned that the scuttle leading from the
hall TO the roof was always locked and
had not been broken open. He added
that the kitchen adjoining the Wolter
apartment was open to other tenants on
the same floor
Mr.. Scott regarded a statement that II
was easy to climb from the roof to the
fire escape as sufficient evidence to show
that IT might have been possible for an
other person 10 gain access to VOTERS
rooms.
No Witnesses 20 Crime.
Mr. Moss said in his opening address
to the jury that the prosecution would
| depend largely upon circumstantial evil
dence. and he admitted there were no
witnesses to the commission of the
crime.
/ He took I'D the thread Of direct evil
dence as he told Of Pearl Wheeler's visit
to the Wolter apartment on the evening
/ of March "a. He said that the sister was
admitted TO the apartment by Hatcher
Mueller. The door was fastened with q
spring lock. and the woman who sd-
mitted her was scantily dressed wolter
vas in bed.
Charges the Crime on Wolter.
! The person killed by criminal mean,
was Ruth Wheeler" declared Mr.. Moss
THE person who killed her. shall prove
was Albert Wolter"
Mr.. Moss had reached the climax o
the story when Mrs. Wheeler and he
daughters. Pearl and Adelaide. entered
the courtroom.
With seven jurymen in the box the