Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-18
CRAzED, SAYS RAUEN
Explains Why He Killed Wife
and His Brother.
DESCRIBES THEIR CONDUCT
Defendant on Stand Says His Life
Was Threatened.
CHARACTER WITNESSES HEARD
All Testify as to Good Reputation of
Former Member of Army
Engineer Corps.
DESCRIBES THEIR CONDUCT
CHARACTER WITNESSES HEARD

Temporary alteration of mind caused
by the conduct of his wife and brother as
the three sat on the doorstep of her
home at 1916 18th street southwest, jus,
prior to the killing, was the explanation
made this afternoon by Samuel Rauen. a
former soldier, for taking his wife's life
March so last. Rauen took the witness
stand in his own defense.
The killing of the brother, he claimed
was in self-defense, as he had been
warned his brother was carrying a re-
volver and intended to get even with
him for his conduct toward his wife
which had been the cause of serving time
at Occoquan
The defendant said that while at Deco.
guam he had heard that his wife AND
brother were not properly conducting
themselves, and after his realease caught
them together. The brother then threat
ened his life. he said.
Shortly after the wedding. and while
they were in Cicero, ILL.,, the defendan,
said, the wife attempted with his brother
about his brothers death. The defendan,
was testifying when this report closed
Character Witnesses.
. Several character witnesses were offered
by the defense this morning. All reported
the accused as bearing a very good repu-
tatiOn in the Engineer Corps during his
enlistment. Other witnesses testified that
the brother had pistol, but counsel fail
ed to show that the witnesses had COM
municated this information to the defend
ant.
Residents Of the underworld district
testified that Samuel Rauen and his
brother John visited a>house there to-
18th 1ryv.; h. h.
homicide. John Rauen also called alone
and exhibited pistol, it was charged. Or
crOss-examination one of the witnesses
admitted that the brothers seemed friend
ly when they visited the house together.
Statement for Defense.
In the opening statement for the de-
Tense Mr.. Frye told Of the marriage OF
the defendant in September. 1911. and
his removal with the wife to Cicero a
suburb of Chicago. The wife's conduct
there. the attorney said, met with he1
husbands disapproval. When he re-
monstrated with her Mrs. Rauen at
tempted to assault him with butcher
knife.
Later, when they returned to live here
Mr.. Frye said. the husband, returning
to his home. saw man going over thu
back fence. His wife declined to tell whit
the NISltOT WIS, anu tHFtdlcucQ 10 use {
razor on her husband if he persisted il
his inquiry. 1t was to defend himsel
from this attack. counsel said, that tn.
accused grabbed her by the throat. Thi!
attack led to his Incarceration at Deco
guam.
|. After the release from Occoquan. the
lawyer said, Rauen paid an unexpected
visit to his wife's home, and, going neal
her room, thought he heard the voice Of
his brother. Going into the room with q
witness. he discovered his wife an6
brother together The brother ther
threatened to kill Samuel Rauen il hi
said anything about what he had seen
the attorney said.
Police Take Stand.
After George n. Fitton, police officer
had testified that he was but forty-fiv,
feet away from house 1915 7th stree
southwest. where the killing occurred
and saw the shots fired. the prosecution
called Capt. Williams Of the fourth pre-
cinct to the stand. Capt. Williams tolt
of conversation with the accused anC
of reducing to writing confession b!
Rauen which the latter signed. The con
fession was received in evidence.
Other witnesses testifying on behalf OF
the prosecution We're Fred Sanberg, Su
san Wood, Harry Fisher, Herman Gold
berg, George H. Moran. S. l.. Cooper w
IB. Thomas, John c. Keppler. Katie M
Mayes and little Ozelah Mayes, ten years
old.
The governments case in chief was ther
statement for the defense.