The Washington herald., 1912-11-22
Electrical Engineer, Put on
Stand by Defense, Helps
Prisoners Case.
OLD GUIDE TESTIFIES
"TOm" Garrison Describes Handling
of Body After Recovery
from Water.

son and Rosa Szabo were five feet apart
when they toppled into Greenwood Lake
on July l6. The first blow for the de-
fense in the international murder mystery
was delivered to-day by Harry Lauz, an
electrical engineer who was sprung on
the State as an absolutely new witness.
II the story of Lauz tells is true-it was
absolutely impossible that Gibson could
have strangled to death the pretty Aus
trIan countess. though it has not in any
way upset the States contention as to
the cause OF death.
Right on top of Lauz's testimony, the
defense forced home the story OF Tom
Garrison, an old Greenwood Lake police
man and guide, who swore that Gibson
and Countess SZabo went overheard from
opposite sides of the boat. Whatever in
trinsic merit Garrison's story may have.
it is apt to leave a marked impression
oil the jury. Even Justice Tompkins ad-
dressed Garrison as Tom" He is hearty,
rugged type of man, a guide in the re-
gions about Greenwood Lake for nigh
onto fifty years" and he speaks as one
having authority; wherefore, what Tom
Garrison swears to is likely to be given
weight.
Poses as CORPSE"
1dl AlSDll, w. gave q III diAloAAN IA uoNAs
ton of the manner in which Countess
Szabo's body was handled after it was
taken from the water. Process Server
Maher, of District Attorney Whitman's
staff, posed as the corpse and was lain
at full length before the jury, while he
played dead and Garrison showed how
the head of the dead woman was propped
up. 1t is one OF the contentious of the
defense that the elevation OF the head
with the chin forced downward upon the
breast may have resulted in the closing
Of the windpipe. which later was dis
covered at the autopsy and ascribed to
the hand OF a stranger.
1t was one of the most dramatic in
Cidents of the trial. All the lawyers in
the case, the jurors, and. Mrs. Gibson
were on their feet in the inclosure be-
tween the judges bench and the jury
box. Even Justice TOmpkins stood with
his head craned forward. while Maher,
his eyes closed as in death, lay prone
on the floor and Garrison. bending over
him, fixed his hands under his head
10 show the height OF the elevation of
the head of Countess SzabO. The
demonstration was OF doubtful value,
however. since it did not show that the
head had been raised at an angle higher
than that generally assumed in sleep
ing, and it was specifically brought out
That the throat was not touched at all
Get Good start.
Generally speaking, however, the tes-
timOny OF these two witnesses started
the defense of well. The State closed
shortly before the noon recess with the
strong, convincing testimony of DR.. Otto
\. Schultze. cOroners physician of New
York, and DIR. A. =. Haskings, of Jersey
City. who related the story of the au-
S,s,,
that Rosa Szabo had died of strangula-
tion, resulting from pressure from with
out.
1t Is the testimony of these two ply
sicians and that of DR.. King which the
defense must break down to secure an
acquittal. Eyewitnesses may be mis-
taken, distances are deceptive on the
water, and in perfect good faith it is
easy for those who think they saw
things to be mistaken.
Mr. GOldzier, who opened the case for
the defense, seemed to appreciate the |
fact when he laid the greatest stress
upon the medical and physical aspects
OF the case and promised to show to the |
jury first that Gibson could not have
inflicted the death blow on his alleged |
victim, and, second. by experts, that !
even in view OF the evidence of strangu- |
latiOn that death was-and did-result |
Just now G.bsons chances are about
even' though the prevalent belief among |
spectators is that he will be convicted. |
The trial will last over into next week |
Probably all the evidence will have been !
heard by tomorrow night, but, owing to |
court engagements elsewhere, Justice
TOmpl1ins will not hold court on Satur-
day.
The summing up will be done on Tues
HaE fg H.
day night.
Justice Tompkins to-day announced
that he will permit the jurors to go to
their homes over Sunday under strict in
junction not to talk about the case to
any one.
DR.. Haskings and DIR. Schultze occu-
pied the entire morning session of the
trial.
DR.. Haskings was cross-examined by
O'Reilly, one OF the experts for the de-
fenSe. Witnesses and examiner became
in an argument about the eff
feet on the organs Of the throat Of a iu-
dictal hanging, and some sharp words
were exchanged. Justice Tompkins came
to the rescue.
when you speak of a judicial hang
ing he inquired. do you mean thel
hanging OF a judge?'
In the laugh which followed peace
was restored.
When it came time for the cross-exam-
ination of JDr. Schultze, Gibson's chief
relieved the expert who has been
handling the medical witnesses and con-
Quoted the examination himself. The
physicians story was not shaken, how
eve:.