Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-21
WHITMAN 8 EYES
ON JURY F|XER'

NEW YORK, Oct. Extra ordinary
precautions are being taken to prevent
any tampering with jurors in the trial
of Police Lieutenant Charles Becker
for the murder of Herman RosenthaL
This became known today when the
third weeks session began.
The suspicious actions OF a man be-
lieved to be Jury flxer' about the
court have been worrying District At
torney Whitman. Detectives have for
several days been keeping close watch
on a man formerly well known about
the courts. In other days he was cred
tied with taking a significant interest
in the influence that might affect pros
pective Jurors. The district attorney
himself saw several things recently and
had others reported to him of sugges-
tons to reach the Jurors, and immedi-
ately put private detectives to watch
ing this man.
End of Trial in Sight.
This week is likely to wind up the
trial and a verdict is expected early
next week. Becker and his wife are ex-
pected to testify Wednesday.
Among the rumors in circulation to-
day was one that William Shapiro and
the four indicted gunner would testify
for Becker. Shapiro drove the murder
car and is under Indictment.
1t has been reported that Shapiro.
despite his affidavit in the hands of the
district attorney that he could not iden-
tify any of the men in his car, is ready
to swear that Schepps and Vallon were
among them. The gunner. according
to the same rumors, are eager to tes-
tify that they were not in the car and
an alibi will be their defense in their
own trial.
1t will materially help their case il
they can prove that the state witnesses
were in the car.
Becker seemed to have been improved
by his day of rest and looked fresher
and in better spirits TODAY than when
court adjourned Saturday afternoon. He
leaned forward expectantly when Jo-
seph B. Shepard. former member of
his strong arm" squad. was recalled
for cross examination by Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Frank Moss.
Indicted Policeman Testifes.
James w. White, another former
member Of the eBcker strong arm"
squad and a medal man in the police
department followed Shepard. White
is one of the policemen under indict-
ment for perjury in the elleged frame
up" Of Big Jack" Zelig. the gang leader
who was recently assasinated
White testified to the Rosenthal raid.
took part in it and corroborated Shep-
ards story.
White fatty denied the story of
James Hallen the convict who testified
that he overheard Becker and White
talking together in the Tombs when the
latter called to see his former chief in
August. and that Becker had said. sit
tight Jimmy they have only the word
of q crook and when the excitement
has died out they will give me pen
sion for killing that crook Rosen-
thai White swore Becker had never
made such a statement to him
9. G. Steinert another former mem
Der of BeCkers strong arm squad. and
who is under Indictment with White in
connection with the alleged frame up
of Zelig, next took the stand tSteinert
was a member of the squad which
raided Rosenthars place last April, and
he also Contradicted the testimony OF
Sam Schepps regarding conversation
between Becker and Rosenthal on the
night of the raid but he was largely
discredited when cross examined.