The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-19

the defense began its innings today
at the trial of Police Lieutenant
Becker, charged with the murder of
Herman Rosenthal. Which of it's
dozen witnesses the defense first would
call was not announced. Among them
is William Travers Jerome. former
district attorney of New York, sub
poenaed TO discredit Jack Rose as to
telephone conversation with Becker
after the murder. Becker himself has
expressed a desire to testify in his
own behalf, but his lawyers are unde-
cided on the question and a decision
will rest largely with the trend of the
testimony in his favor. The fact that
Mrs. Lefty Louie" Rosenberg, wife Of
one of the four gunner charged with
the actual murder, testified yesterday
as states witness, gave rise to re-
newed rumors that Lefty Louie" had
a confession to make and would like
wise go over to the side of the state.
This has been reported from time to
time, however. without subsequent
confirmation.
Before the opening Of court today
Becker's lawyers expressed satisfac-
ton at Justice COTS decision of yes
terday barring any testimony tending
10 sho what Becker had fattened his
modest policeman's salary with
gambling house graft.
HART ADDRESSES JURY.
John w. Hart, of Becker's counsel,
addressing the jury, said in part:
1.-The defendant does not intend to
let the case rest where 1t is. He in
tends to convince the jury that not
only he is not guilty, but that he is
an innocent man. We contend that the
defendant Is In no way connected with
the gunner who committed this MUIR
der.
1.-The chief witnesses, aside from all
legged accomplices, are Luban, the con-
vict, Hallen, the self confessed forger,
and Margolis, the self-confessed per-
jurer.
"The defendant denies any particle
patton in the death of Herman Rosen-
thai and will prove that the evidence
adduced against him is absolutely
false.
"As to Luban. who claims to have
witnessed this murder, we will prove
that Luban never saw the murder
that he was in Brooklyn at the time.
We will prove this by Luban's own
brother.
1--WE will prove that Weber. WALTON
and Schepps conspired to kill Rosen-
thai Independently of Becker, each
with his own independent motive for
so doing"
Mr.. Hart reviewed Becker's life, say
ing he entered the police department.
at twenty two and was trusted by his
superiors because of record of which
any policeman might be proud.
SECURED 1000 CONVICTIONS.
1--WE will show that he has made
more than nine thousand arrests and
secured more than 1000 convictions.
1--WE will show that Becker knew
for months that the gamblers had it
in for him and that he asked many
times to be transferred from the
strong arm squad.
Among those who brought inforna-
ton to Becker was Rose. There were
others, too.
"Rosenthal, himself, had the reputa-
ton of being an informer. He was the
most thoroughly idetested gambler IN
the city.
I'VE shall show that the raid on
Rosenthars place was made under
evidence actually acquired by the po-
lice department.
AS to the day and night of the muir
der. we shall prove where Becker was
every minute of the time, and that
proof will discredit the states wit
nesses who have testified as to. his
movements"
Mr.. Hart said that while the Dora
Gilbert (Rosenthars former wife) am
davit was being obtained, Becker was
at a prize fight. After the prize fight
Becker drove down town, Mr.. Hart
said. then took Jack Sullivan home,
then went home himself without going
near, as the state claims he did, the
scene of the Rosenthal murder.
I'VE shall show" Mr.. Hart con-
tinued, that 1 went to the bar asso-
citation with former District Attorney
Jerome and discussed the case there
with Becker. We talked of Rose, too.
Becker went to the telephone and CALL
ed up Rose, and it was at that con-
versation that Becker gave Rose the
initials u. H." as the pass word to
admit me to Rose at the home of
Harry Pollock. We will prove that
Rose lied in almost every particular
while he was on the stand"
Mr.. Hart characterized Sam Schepps
as that eminent gentleman. opium
smuggler and murderer"
1--WE shall prove" Mr. Hart declared,
that Schepps told Acting Mayor Petit
of Hot Springs, Ark. that he did not
want to talk until he saw Jack Roses
confession. 7 want to read that con-
fession, line by line Schepps said,
and when have mastered it all, then
I'll talk
WAS ROSES VALET.
Roses confession was printed the
morning after Schepps was arrested.
Schepps was brought here and placed
in the cell next to Roses, where he had
every chance to discuss the case with
his master--for Schepps was no more
than a valet to Rose.
I'VE shall show that there was a
public bidding for men to testify
against Becker. We shall show that
these accomplices of the murderers
who have already testified determined
on July 90 to save their own lives and
throw Becker over to the district at
torney.
One of the men indicted for muir
der in connection with this crime win
testify that he was thrown in close
contact with these states witnesses
and given every opportunity to save
his own skin by becoming a party to
the plot in the Tonbs to testify