Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-25

in the world" said Mr.. Whitman. to-
night, who should want conviction
to stand which is not justifiable by
law. This is all the comment that l
care to make"
Mr. Whitman tonight had not receiv-
ed the full text of the opinion but
it was learned that, forming his Judg-
mcnt on such as was available he
had little hope of presenting evidence
against Becker sufficient to convict at
a second trial. AS the district attor-
ney was said to have interpreted the
decision the testimony or the charac-
ter of the witnesses against Becker,
Rose, Vallon and Webber self confess
ed accomplices-haS not been held by
the court to be credible. Although it
is known that the district attorney
has new evidence which he could bring
forth, the testimony of these three
gamblers who said they hired the gun
men to kill Rosenthal at Becker's be-
hest was the foundation of the case.
Mr. Whitman was also under the
impression tonight that in effect the
court had held that Sam Schepps, the
smooth talking little gambler who cor
roborated the trio, also was an ac-
complce.
IF 20 men were in the conspiracy
to murder" a lawyer close to the dis
trict attorney said tonight, and 19
of them were to turn states evidence
against the Goth, the Goth could not
be convicted under the decision. 1t
would be futile to bring Becker to trial
again
that the four gun men now that their
only hope lies in executive clemency,
might turn states evidence was not
received by the district attorney as
one that offered any hope of aiding
a conviction. He thought their testi-
mony under the ruling of the court,
also would lie in the same category as
that of Rose, Webber and Vallon. 1t
was the consensus of opinion among
those connected with the district at
torney's office that should any acton
be taken by Becker counsel towards
a dismissal of the case, District At
torney Whitman would not oppose 1t.
Becker Sends Telegram.
Good news received, congratulations.
and thanks" was the telegram Joseph
A. Shay. his attorney, received from
Becker from the death house in Sing
Sing. where the former police lieuten-
ant has been cofined since his convic-
ton a year ago last October ehay''
iubilent tonight and declaring that the
states case had fallen to pieces, saie
he was going to see Becker early to-
morrow and that within day or two
he would confer with District Attof~
ney Whitman and request dlsmlssaf
of the indictment. AS soon as the
prison authorities receive the courts
remittitur. Becker will be brought TO
New York and placed in the Tombs
until his case is disposed of.
Mrs. Becker was informed of the re-
yersaI by Attorney Shay. She imme-
diately left her home and went to
Shay's office. Fifteen reporters, Beck
er's two brothers, Jackson Becker and
Police Lieutenant John Becker, were
waiting for her. Shay himself was
sitting in an inner office. When Mrs.
Becker opened the door, she glanced
hurriedly around the room. Her eyes
/ fell upon Shay and she ran through
two offices to reach him. The score of
men parted for her. The woman threw
her arms around Shay's neck and kiss
ed him. Shay looked embarrassed and
Mrs. Becker, realizing there were
spectators, blushed and retired behind
a door leading to the reception room.
Later she said;
'I really suppose I should apologize
for having kissed Mr.. Shay before so
many people But just couldn't help
it. Anyway, why shouldn't l kiss
him? He has saved my husbands
life
Mrs. Beckers mother died yesterday
and will be buried tomorrow. Despite
this fact, Mrs. Becker's face was
wreathed in smiles.
Il am the happiest woman in the
world, she said II do not believe
my husband will be tried again and
neither does he.
Every Saturday, with but one or
two exceptions since Charles has been
in the death house at Sing Sing, I
have gone there to see him. Last Sat
urday he told me ,.e felt confident
that his conviction would be reversed
and that he would be granted new
trial. He has always felt this would
be the outcome.