New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-19
BECKER IN FEAR
OF TOMBS PLOT
Holds Aloof from Fellow
Prisoners in Belief They
Carry News to Whitman.
CHAFES AT DELAY
IN MOVE FOR TRIAL
District Attorney Still Seeking
New Evidence and Will Not
Be Ready Until May.

Charles Becker, ex-police lieutenant,
has suffered voluntary solitary confine-
ment in the Tombs. according to his
counsel. Joseph a. Shay, since the
Court Of Appeals granted him new
trial. Since February 26 Becker has
occupied cell No. III in the first tier
and has had communication with no
other prisoner.
District Attorney Whitman. who ten
tatively announced several weeks ago
that Beckers second trial for the muir
der Of Herman Rosenthal would be
moved on April 10. said yesterday that
II might be May before the case was
moved for trial
Mr. Shay after a visit yesterday to
the ex-policeman's cell, said that Beck
err was DESTROYS Of a speedy trial
Its getting pretty tiresome," Becker
told his counsel, simply lying on my
cot and reading"
Becker has not taken advantage Of
the recreation PERIOD granted daily
10 prisoners. The only exercise he has
had has been Ike that he took in the
death house-chinning himself on the
bars Of HIS cell door.
He is afraid OF his fellow prisoners.
He feels that there is not one Of them
who would not be willing TO buy his
liberty Of the District Attorney by CIV
ing damaging testimony against Becker.
Becker informed Mr.. Shay that despite
his precautions he knew that ne was
being watched covertly BY prisoners
who hoped TO gain leniency by appear
ing against him.
Becker has seen no visitors except
members Of his family and his counsel.
Mr.. Shay said yesterday that a record
of every VISIT made to Becker was
transmitted regularly to the District
Attorneys office.
Mr. Whitman said yesterday that al
though he was anxious to hasten the
Becker trial, it might not be moved
until May. Despite his utmost en-
deavors the District Attorney has OBJ
tanned no new evidence as yet. He
wishes TO follow several promising
leads before moving the case for trial.
He said that the condition Of the calen-
dar is crowded at present. there being
scores of cases which have precedence
over Becker
Mr.. Shay has some hope that when
the case is moved for trial his motion
10 dismiss the indictment may be
granted. He intends 10 oppose the Dis
trict Attorneys motion to put Becker
on trial, not with any intention Of de-
laying the case, but in the belief that
unless Mr.. Whitman has new evidence
TO offer the second trial OF Becker
would be a useless expense.
Mr. Shay said that if his motion was
overruled and a second trial was had,
he would ask for delay of a month
or six weeks in order to perfect his
case
Both Mr. shay and Charles G. +.
Wahle. counsel for the four gunner,
had heard Of the story told by Butch
Witte, which Father James b. Curry
is investigating Mr Wahle said that
he had been trying to put his finger
upon Witte for eighteen months.
Although Mr.. Shay and Mr. Wahle
regard Witte as a valuable witness, Mr.
Whitman was inclined TO think that
his story would prove to be without
foundation or immaterial. The District
Attorney classed Witte with a number
Of other witnesses" who were touted
during the preparation Of the Becker
case, only to find that they were use
less.