The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-27
BEST IS LOCKED
UP IN WINDSOR.
Canadian Attorney Says Prima Facie
Case Isn't Made Out and Client
May Fight Extradition.

Arthur j. Best, wanted here on a
warrant charging him with the muir
der OF his wife. Alice Best, which was
issued on the recommendation OF Cor
oner Burgess Jury, Tuesday, Is lock-
ed up ia the Windsor police headquar-
tiers. and the question OF his extradi-
ton Is unsettled.
Attorney j. w Hanna, OF Windsor,
representing Best. offers a unique
suggestion for settling the question as
TO whether Best shall come across
the river willingly, or shall fight ex-
tradition. Meanwhile. Detroit detec-
tives are in Windsor. taking steps 10
secure extraditiop papers.
Il am willing To submit the evil
dence taken at the inquest, TO any
Detroit Judge that the prosecution
may suggest said Attorney Hanna
III he decides that prima facie case
or murder has been made out by the
testimony before the coroner's jury,
| VIII turn Best over to the Detroit
police without extradition papers. But
l am not Willing to let him go across
the river on account OF The sentimen-
tai verdict OF sentimental jury. IL
Was a rotten verdict. No prima faci1
case was made out, and | don't think
any Detroit Judge would say there
was"
When Coroner Burgess jurv after
Investigating the death OF Mrs Alice
Best, returned verdict that Arthur J..
Best was responsible. either directly
or indirectly for. his wifes pitiful fate.
and recommended that the police de-
partment take further action II once,
the local machinery provided for in
vestigating criminal or suspicious
cases, creaked the usua! discord ana
reluctantly took up the work.
Prosecuting Attorney Van lille. after
a long star chamber session with
the two detectives, who represented
the police department at the inquest,
issued a formal order for the arrest
OF Best. in compliance with the recon-
mendation of the coroners Jury Then
he announced, informally, thai II was
very unfortunate that the coroner's
Jury should have stepped into the case
at this time. when the matter was
being handled by the police, with the
expectation that they might get more
evidence and make out a good case.
Chief OF Detectives Mcdonnell was
peevish over the verdict though the
two detectives were sent to search
windsor. Harrow and Amherstburg for
Best. Justice Stein having issued I
warrant, charging young Best with
murder. The warrant was sworn 70
by Alfred Frankfurt, No. a91 I.awton-
ave-. brother OF Mrs. Best
Meanwhile, the police had seized
upon several letters which were a
part OF the evidence in Coroner Bur.
CESS inquest Coroner Burgess had
ordered that they be made PUBLIC.
Prosecutor Koscinsk had given a sim
ilar order, and Prosecutor Van Zile
had acquiesced. But the detectives
refused TO produce the letters and
Chief Mcdonnell CURLY announced
that they would be held In possession
OF the police. Late Tuesday night,
one of the detectives produced the let
ters, with the significant statement:
Il do this by order OF Coroner Bur
CESS"
Coroner Burgess was rather indig-
nant over Prosecutor Van Zile's state
ment about the unfortunate" action
of MS jury.
Il wasn't aware that | was working
at cross purposes with the police or
prosecutor" said Coroner Burgess.
THE police said they could do moth
ing In the case unless an inquest were
held. Well. held the inquest, and the
jury returned direct verdict, doing
It's entire duty i'll the premises.
thought that ] was working with the
police, and had consulted with Chief
Mcdonnell about the matter"
Coroner Burgess announced that he
would have talk with Prosecutor Van
Zile
A pitiful letter, introduced in evil
dence at the inquest, and written by
Mrs. Best TO her husband, on March 4.
was taken by Attorney McHugh. for
the defense, as an indication that the
young woman had taken her own life
She had made two copies OF the letter,
Mrs. Alfred Frankfurt testified. Mrs.
Frankfurt had mailed one copy TO
Best. The other was introduced at the
coroner's inquest. The letter follows:
Detroit March 4, 1910.
My Dear Husband received
your very foolish letter and was
much surprised To hear of your
very sudden change of heart.
wish -yotf-woHia- reconsider your
action and see what a great mis-
(ContIaued ON Page Nine.)