Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-04-23

Ruth Wheeler was killed OH li
dav. March "a. Failing to dispo'
hey bodv in the first place Woiter CUT
| II nm and left the bust and head wrap
nod In burIap in a fire-escape rom
ubere IL vas pushed into the Faro pc
rho grewsome discovery led to
|, II. was arrested on Satur-
da, March 96. and was placed on trial
,,,a,, last He denied every
,,.o,n,edpe If Ruth Wheeler, but the
,astirnony showed that she was lured
70 bis rooms. expecting to obtain en-
nlovment as a stenographer. There
WoIter attempted to assault her and
In the struggle, strangled her with a
rope.
| VOTERS cool facing of the gruesomt
exhibits and his lack of emotion dur
| ing the heart rending testimony as to
Ruth Wheeler's death his lawyer to-
day strove to emphasize as a point in
his clients favor This Indifference,
the lawyer said was indicative of the
boys innocence; if guilty he would not
have been able to undergo the ordeal
with such composure.
"Circumstantial evidence is very dan
gerous evidence upon which to convict,
he went on. "Instances have occurred
where men have been mistakenly eXecut-
ed. This boy has not nerve enough to
kill cat. let alone a human being.
He reviewed the testimony of Kate
Mueller, VOTERS erstwhile girl neiShbor.
who occupied a room adjoining the apart
ment in which the murder was committed
and who was one of the witnesses for the
defence. The Mueller girl testified that
she had heard no noise in VOTERS apart
ment. The Wheeler girl weighed about
30 pounds" said Mr.. Scott. 1T is impos-
sible that Wolter could have choked hel
and strangled her and suppressed any
outcry. No girl would have submitteC
to what they say Ruth Wheeler was sub
jected to without screaming. Moreover
it was impossible to burn a girl in tina,
fireplace, and there is no evidence of
anything to burn the body with. There
was no one
The assistant district attorneys ar
raisnment of the prisoner during the
summing up was scathing. He is not
d great criminal" said Mr.. Moss. He
is a dangerous criminal, perverted char
acter and scourge to the community.
There is no unexplained circumstance
here" he continued. There is not a
single trial for murder IN which you must
not rely to some extent on circumStan-
tial evidence. But | cannot think of a
single case in the state of New York
where conviction on circumstantial evil
dence has proven to be a mistake.
There was never Il case in which ev-
cry circumstance was so straight pointed
The child was not dead when she was put
with her clothing off. we may infer. anC
poured oil on her clothing. In the hand
was hair which was not hers. She fought
her assassin. She angered him and he
| put her to DEATH He left no victim to
| tell what he had done in carrying out his
original intent. His killing her was an
| intentional act to hide his first crime"
Mr.. Moss grew emotional as he talked
and turned pleadngIy to the jury. 81
have no thirst for human blood" he
said. but we ask you in deciding thi,
case to think of the army of women who
| must so out to earn their daily bread
and must trust themselves to the honor
of the men whom they meet. They are
entitled to he safeguarded by the com,
munity. 1t does not require great wit l.
prey upon the innocent, upon the guilt
less. upon a little girl of l5 Just grad
uating. hoping to take up the burden,
of the household.
J. A. Fosters charge was brief oc"u
pying in all but Is minutes.