Evening journal., 1914-05-06
nHnVpn nTMITn
bhCAER DkNIED
change Of venue.
WHITMAN Scored
Attorney for Defense Wants
District Attorney Punished
on Contempt Charge
FOREMAN OF Second
JURY IS SELECTED
BY The United Press.

By The United Press.
NEW YORK, May 6.-Prompt de-
nial OF change of venue to former
Police Lieutenant Charles Becker, ac-
cused of plotting Herman RosenthaFs
murder, came from Superior Justice
Seabury here today shortly after
court opened and subsequent to an
attempt by Becker's counsel to have
District Attorney Whitman declared
in contempt of court. On the latter
phase of the fight, which was put in
to the form of a motion by Martin L.
Manton, Becker's attorney, Justice
Seabury promised to rule later.
Manton's attack on the District At
torney came as soon as court con-
vened. Before a room filled with
talesmen, and with Mrs. Becker the
only woman present, the attorney for
the man accused of plotting Rosen-
thal's death, opened his batteries
"Charles Becker to the BARI thun-
dered the court crier just after JUS
tice Seabury was seated. and through
door at the rear Of the courtroom
came the brawny figure of the man
who was once the car Of New York's
underworld. Becker's face was in alb
solute repose, as guarded by only one
policeman, he strobe to the front of
the room. He greeted his counsel,
Martin Manton and Bourke Cochran,
with quick smile and sat down.
Cochran then arose and addressed
the Court with a demand that District
Attorney Whitman be adjudged in
/ contempt of Court for having inspired
newspapers stories preiudicial to the
I defense Cochran, on being required
\ TO do So put his demand in the form
( OF a motion which Justice Seabury
/ promised to answer later. Cock
rams motion was based on news
paper reports. said to have been in
spired by Whitman, 10 the effect that
/ Carl Dresner, a confessed periurer,
had conspired with John Becker the
4 defendants brother, in such a way
as to prejudice Becker's case. Cock
ran produced affidavits by newspaper
men in support of his position and
/ was waxing eloquent when restrained
] by the Court
Whitman, who then arose TO ad-
/ dress the Court, declared that he had
| given out nothing improper He said
Becker had had opportunity to give
out statements from both the Tombs
I and from Sing Sing, and that, as a
/ matter of fact. he had given out
! such statements, some of which were
distinctly prejudicial to the case Of
the people
After Justice Seabury's decision to
rule on the contempt question later,
/ Cochran moved for a change of venue.
This request Justice Seabury prompt
/ ly denied. Cochran then asked for a
/ postponement on the grounds of pop
! ular prejudice. To this Justice Sea-
bury replied that postponement
would be granted in no circumstances
and the examination of talesmen be-
gan.
William NJ Murdock, the first tales
man called, was examined by Whit
man. Only few words were needed
to show that Murdock had IAN un-
shakable opinion and he was ex-
cused.
During Murdocks examination,
Becker motioned to his wife. She
arose and came to a seat near him.
She was dressed entirely in black and
her face showed wan and pale.
Hector Rosenfeld, a manufacturer,
was the second talesman called
After Rosenfeld had been challeng.
ed by the defense Matthew W. Webb
dismissed the case. Several others
] were either challenged or excused
for cause. The State at length called
Meredith Bladgen, a bond broker al
No. 81 Pine street, who lives at No
116 East Tenth street, was accepted
and will be foreman of the jury. He
is a Harvard graduate of '99. He ad.
mitted having had an opinion but saiC
he could decide the case on evidence
presented.
Comparatively few questions were
asked talesmen by the prosecution
but each was closely questioned
by the defense as to acquain-
tance with the Rosenthal family, pre-.
judice against the police or other
points which may be at issue in the
trial
A new witness in the case was re
ported to have been uncovered today
in the person of Walter Washington
a negro porter employed in Bridgi,
Webber's pool room. He is said tC
be ready to swear that he saw Web
her, Rose. Vallon and Becker in con
ference at the time Rosenthal's mur.
der is said to have been finally plan,
ned