Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-12

n1ong duplicating Charles Becker IN
the murder of Herman Rosenthal was
given at today's session of tie trial
OF the former police officer accused
,cf inatigatilig the Staying OF the ga1n-
bier. It was testified by Maurice Luz
Ian q haneer-on of the under world.
thai Becker had said to Jack Rose
about three weeks before the muir
der:
III hat Rosenthal IS not
croakcd, l will croak him myself"
Lpban, who was an eye witness Of
the murder. identified in court "Guy
the 2lood'' and Lefty Louis as as
two Of 5he men who fired the shots
That killed aosenthal, and William
Shapiro as the drivsr of the murder
ear Cup and Lefty lie had known
for mere tlian q year. he said, ana
he also swore TINT tBago' Frank,
likeN Use an acquaintance, was in the
group when the shots were fired. The
witness knew Rosenthal and had seen
Becker in a gambling house. lie
proved to be such an important Wit
ness for the state that John #. Mcln-
tyre, chief counsel for the defendant,
sBen two hours and half trying to
break down his testimony Luban
was only discovered a day or two ago.
He was found with his brother Jacob
in jail i'll Newark. u. j., on a forgery
charge. The brothers claimed to have
been Framed up by somebody The
New York prosecutor secured their
release on parole and according to
Maurice, the witness promised to help
them in every way il they would prove
their framedup.
Luban said he heard Becker utter his
alleged death threat against Roselthal
in the steamer room or the Lafayette
bath house and that he stood within two
or three feet of the police officer at the
time.
Lubans identification of the gunner
was made without hesitation. When they
We're brought in for his inspection 1t was
their third appearance in the court room,
during the day.
Luban's testimony as to how the shoot
ing was done closely corroborated the
stories told by other witnesses.
The defence, today, subpoenaed the
witness brother and demanded that the
him within jurisdiction until he could be
called. This the court refused to do but
instructed Luban not to talk with his
brother in the meantime.
Jack Rose. the states most important
witness, upon whose testimony before the
grand Jury Beckers Indictment was
mainly based. was called to the stand
as was the last witness of the day. but
did not testify. Justice Golf adjourned
court when he was informed by counsel
that it would take at least I'VE hours to
complete Ross examination.
New York, Oct. ff.-Jacob and Nor
is Luban, the mysterious" witnesses
found by District attorney Whitman
in jail at Newark. were at the GRIM
inal courts building, today, waiting
to be called to the stand at the trial
of Police Lieutenant Becker, charged
with the murder of Herman Rosen-
thai. They were held in Newark on
charges of forgery. but on their state
ment that their arrest was a. frame
up" and that one of them was an eye
witness to the murder, they were pa
rolled and brought to New York.
Giavanni Stanich. another eye-wit-
ness to the tragedy, and Mrs. Lillian
Rosenthal, widow of the murdered
gambler. were other witnesses, whom,
it was expected, the state would call
early. The informers. Rose, WALTON,
Weber and Sehepps, We're held in
readiness as usual, and 1t was thought
possible that enough progress might
be made to reach Roses testimony
Thomas K. RYAN, chauffeur and
an eyewitness of the murder, was
the first witness called. HIS appear
anee was surprise to the defence,
for his name had never previously
figured in the case. According to
Byan's story. only one man fired the
shots that killed Rosenthal.
Didn't YOU say, yesterday. in the
presence of Officer. Ellie. when those
four men charged with the murder
were brought to the bar THAT the man
called Whitley Louis fred the shot"
asked Assistant Dist Atty. Ross.
Il object TO what he said, Yesterday
interposed John +. Mcintyre, counsel
for the defence.
Sustained" ruled Justice Golf
DO you think you could remember
him il you saw him again.
Il don't believe | could" mumbled
the witness.
Here Justice Golf tok a hand in the
questioning. The chauffeur appeared
reluctant to testify and his answers
We're almost .naudible.
The four gunner We're brought into
court and the witness was asked to
pick cnt the man who fired the shot
Whom did you refer to of these
four mep?9 asked Mr. Moss. Ryan APP
peared frightened. Il didn't refer TO
anybody" he declared shifting his
eyes quietly over the four men.
Didn't you tell the assistant dis
trict attorney in the prison. yesterday,
when you were asked to identity the
man. that you were afraid to put your
hand on him. pursued Mr. Moss.
Il was afraid to because | might put
my hand on the wrong man. answer
ed RYAN, in a weak voice.
Can you swear" interrupted Justice
Goff that any one of these four men
fired the shot9 Look at the prison
ers."
Ryan gave a ieeting look at the
four, Every one of the gun men was
cycling him.
Il cannot he replied, in treni-
bling voice.
Dx,a,, we. 4l,n.. ,I11r.o.1 80