The Washington times., 1912-08-05
BECKER W|THDRAWS
NOT GUILTY PLEA
WAVES new ONE
Implicated Gamblers Get
Death Threat Signed
Ell "The Crowd"

NEW YORK, Aug. 5--Police Lieut..
Charles Becker, charged with procuring
the murder of Herman Rosenthal, the
gambler. and said to be facing three in
dictments charging extortion In CEN
nection with police gambling graft,
withdrew his plea of not guilty today
when arraigned on charge Of murder
in the first degree before Judge Grain.
in the court of general sessions, part
one.
He then waived pleading. Judge Grain
Immediately transferred the case to
Judge Mulqueen. who is In charge Of the
grand jury investigating the murder
and the graft charges against the po-
lice department.
Judge Muluueen adjourned the hearing
until Wednesday, when John Hart.
former assistant district attorney and
chief counsel for Becker, presented two
motions.
Night Service illegal.
They first attacked the indictment OF
Becker on the ground that the grand
jury returning 1t met Nat night and on
the further contention that the full
grand jury was not present. The Sec
ond motion demanded for the defend
ant the right to inspect the grand jury
notes and also that the district attor-
ney be compelled to indorse on the
back of the indictment the names of
the witnesses testifying against the
police lieutenant.
Hart, stating that 1t was customary
to give two days notice of argument
on motions, said he was willing to
waive this If the district attorney did
not object.
Judge Mulqueen, speaking for Whit
man, said that the district attorney
would waive anything in the interests
of speedy trial. but added that there
was nothing before the court, as he
did not understand the motions of
Hart. Judge Mulqueen then continued
the proceedings until Wednesday.
Becker was represented by Hart
Robert H. Elder, former district at
torney for Brooklyn; George w.
Whiteside and Lloyd P. Stryker. All
Travers Jerome when he was district
attorney.
Becker Seemed At Ease.
1t was Becker's first public appear
ance since the confession of Rose,
Webber and Vallon caused his indict-
ment. Immediately dressed, the
houSShdht iooheu udppeT ana very
much at ease. Further than to nod
at his brother, John, in the audience,
Becker did not seem to speak or to
recognize any one in the court room.
There was considerable relief in the
west side court prison when 1t was
announced that the further examina
tion of Rose, Webber and VaiIon by
Coroner Feinberg had gone over until
August 10. The confessing gamblers
were said to be in fear of their lives
If they were compelled to go to court,
and had petitioned District Attorney
whitman for an especially vigifant
guard not composed of policemen.
Lawyer Sullivan today was author
lty for the statement that "Bridgie"
Weber had received a letter signed
The Crowd" threatening him with
death If he persisted in backing up
Bald Jack" Rose.
Threatening Letter.
The letter to eWbber. as quoted. by
Sullivan, follows:
Mr. Webber, In case you have
any intention to live a few years more
1t would be advisable for you to keer
Your mouth shut. Don't do like Rose
did. He is on our death list.
Whether he leaves prison or not, he
will die before the month Is over. He
thing. You must remember you are
Involving some high officials and they
won't stand Tor exposure.
THE CROWD"
The letter was dated August Q, mid.
night Frank NJ oss is assistant dis
trict attorney in charge of the grand
jury probe.