The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-07-30
CHARGED BECKER
W|THMURDER Of
ROSENTHAL
Grand Jury Has Indicted Sus-
pected Police Lieutenant
RESULT OF CONFESSIONS
Gamblers Go Before District Attorney
And Give Details OF the Plot
To Kill.

New York, July 30-Sensational
DEVELOPMENT in the investigation OF
the murder of Herman Rosenthal, the
gambler who was shot down Ill front
of the Hotel Metropole two weeks ago
came with a rush last night, wheh
Police Lieut. Charles Becker, accused
by Rosenthal as his side partner in
gambling game, was arrested, accused
of participation in the killing, ana
forced to plead at once to a charge OF
murder in the first degree Becker
was arraigned before Judge Mulqueen
who had convened the court OF gener-
al sessions at night for the purpose,
and pleaded not guilty. He was re-
manded to the Tombs.
The arrest of Becker came as Sc
quel to the summoning together OF the
grand jury late yesterday, confer
ence between District Attorney whit
man and Harry WALTON, Bridge
Weber and Jack Rose. three of the
men under arrest in connection with
the case, and their attorneys, and the
appearance of several other witnesses
before the grand jury. Becker was
arrested at the Bathgate-avenue po-
lice station in the Bronx, where ne
has been on duty, on charge OF eN-
tortion. At the time no inkling OF
the more serious charge to be placed
against him was given. Meanwhile
the grand jury, which was then in
session, had voted the murder indict-
ment The police lieutenant, who
had ben suspended by Commissioner
Waldo after his first arrest, was hur-
ried before Judge Mulqueen ana
through his attorney entered the plea
of not guilty.
Events leading to Becker's arrest
began to shape themselves late yester
day afternoon, following the prellm-
nary hearing of several of the men
under arrest before the coroner. sam
Paul. leader of an East-side Organiza-
ton at whose recent outing. Is
claimed. Rosenthals killing was first
discussed, was discharged. The oth
ers were held for a continued hearing.
With their attorneys. WALTON, Weber
and Rose were taken TO the district at
torneys office. ready to testify before
the grand jury Messengers were at
once dispatched for members of the
grand jury, and the first ni/ht SEES
sion of that body held within lS years
was soon in progress. Rose, Weber
and Vallon ii is stated. were the prln-
cipal witnesses heard. Patrolmen
Brady and William File, who were
near the scene of the murder, also
testified. Preceding the hearing, Dis
trict Attorney Whitman, when asked
if he expected the prisoners to tell the
grand jury what they knew OF the
murder, replied, 81 hope so.
He then went into conference with
Judge Mulqueen to arrange for the
night session of court. II was close
TO midnight when Becker was brought
into court. He held his head erect
and showed little or no concern. a
clerk announced: Charles Becker,
you are charged with murder in the
first degree. DO you demand a trial?
Are you guilty or not guilty
Are you guilty or not guilty.
Becker's counsel, asked for time to
confer with his client. saying he had
not seen Becker yesterday and knew
nothing of the details OF the charge.
He demanded 10 days in which to pre-
pare his plea. To this Judge Mul-
queen demurred. He suggested that
a plea of not guilty be entered as once
saying that il at the end of a week
the attorney wished to change the
plea he was sure any court would
grant permission. Becker was then
remanded to the Tombs. where he
was locked up for the night. Attor-
ney Hart accompanied him to prison
and remained in conference with his
client for 20 minutes When asked if
he had any statement to make, after
leaving Becker, Mr.. Hart replied
NO. There is nothing to say at this
time. My client pleaded not guilty.
lie does not know who his accusers
are not anything concerning the in
dictment. There will be nothing to
say tonight"