New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-26
Mrs. Becker Visits Husband,
Who Says Honest Man Was
Victim of Basest of Per-
jurers-Expects Free
dom and Chance to
Vindicate Himself.
WITNESSES WEARY OF JAIL
Rose III, Counsel Says, While
Schepps Thinks His Story Justifies
Release-Not Considered In
valuable by Jury in Reach
ing Verdict, 1t Is
Understood.

William Shapiro, chauffeur Of the
murder car" which took the gunmen
to and from the scene Of the killing Of
Herman Rosenthal, in front Of the Ho-
tel Metropole. has made a complete
statement about the movements Of the
gunmen on that night and has identi-
fed them to the District Attorney, VI
was learned last night Shapiro Will
appear as the principal witness against
the gunner at their trials II is under
stood. His testimony will absolutely
clinch the states case against the four
men, it was said, though their convic-
ton seems certain since Lieutenant
Becker was found guilty.
The District Attorney has been con-
vinced for some time that Shapiro could
satisfactorily identify the gunmen
and that his persistency in refusing to
do so was prompted purely by the fear
he entertained for his life II he should
do so publicly. The fact that Becker
was convicted and the cases against
Tic opH"iNhNis
strengthened on that account led the
chauffeur to unbosom himself to the
District Attorney, It was said.
He feels secure at least from any
vengeance that his passengers on the
night Of the murder might infiict upon
him personally. II Becker had been
acquitted he felt the cases against the
gunmen might fall down, and they
would be at liberty TO kill him II he had
identified them at the Becker trial
Makes Il Easy for Whitman.
Shapiro testified as a witness for the
state at Beckers trial and gave i'm
portant testimony, but he was not
asked to identify the gunmen, as other
witnesses had done in court. On the
strength Of Shapiros Confession" the
District Attorney is able to refuse TO
treat with the gunner with view to
giving any Of them immunity or other
consideration. in case one or more OF
them should decide to turn states evil
dence. as it was expected they would
do after Becker's conviction.
Indirect oyertures for some consid-
Grafton for the gunmen came TO the
District Attorney yesterday from their
counsel, c. G. F. Wahle. In the light
of this latest development in their
cases and the conviction Of Becker, II
would not be surprising IL all would
feel disposed to plead TO second degree
murder If any disposition were evil
denced by the District Attorney tow
ard accepting such plea.
The conviction Of Lieutenant Becker
had the effect yesterday Of striking ter
ror to the hearts of the four gunmen in
the Tombs who are slated as the next
defendants to answer for the crime. 1t
is considered only question Of short
time before direct and explicit over
lures will be made to the District At
torney's office.
The four gunmen were almost In
state of panic In their cells in the
Tombs yesterday, 1t was said, when
lilcy d"OhC W a AAii ASoii1"hANh VI Nhth
precarious position in view OF the YER
dict against Becker. They acted like
scampering rats in trap, pacing ex-
citedly up and down their cells, accord
ing to their keepers, until they could
get out for the early exercise and have
q chance TO talk together.
Evidently all foresee their own fate
in that of the former police lieutenant.
There appears to be nothing In the
makeup of the gangmen to enable
them to weather the ordeal Of the first
crushing blow with the same COM
posure that Becker did.
II there was any one premise more
than another which the Becker Jury
had to accept as a fact in reaching a
verdict of guilty IL was that the four
gunner were the. men who actually
shot Rosenthal. without that ac-
cepted truth in the minds Of the Jurors
the whole framework of the murder
plot as instigated by Becker would
have crumbled. That fact also has
been brought home forcibly to the
minds of the gunmen.
Relieved by CounseI's Visit.
There is none of the Jack" Sullivan
buster and bluff In them. as they seem
to face a sure conviction. They sent
out frenzied appeals for their counsel
early yesterday. After the visit Of Mr..
Wahle to the Tombs toward noon,
when he saw them together In the
room, they quieted down some
what, II Is said.
District Attorney Whitman said yes
terday that he would move for the trial
of the first gunman for November Z.
probably that Of Lefty" Louis Or
Whitley" Lewis. Mr.. Wahle denied.