New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-06
NEW WITNESS
AGAINST BECKER
Cohen, Chauffeur, Now
Saws He Drove Conspir-
ators to Conference.
SECOND TRIAL TO
OPEN THIS MORNING
Selection of Jury Will Occupy
Rest of Week-Court to
Hold Short Sessions.

Some indication OF the added strength TO
the people's case against Charles Becker
since the first trial. as claimed by the
prosecution. developed yesterday. when IL
became known that the District Attorney
had obtained a new witness who would
corroborate the all-important part or the
story OF Rose. WALTON and weber IN re-
gard 10 the Harlem conference AT lAth
st and Seventh ave. some time before the
murder. At this conference Becker was
said TO have met the three conspirators
and made the final plans for "croakins'
Rosenthal.
Confederation depended on the "douot-
full" Schepps at the first trial, who said ne
rode 10 Harlem with the conspirators In
an automobile. but that they compelled
him 10 remain at discreet distance"
while they talked with Becker.
The witness is Harry II. Cohen, known
as Moe Levy" a chauffeur. who has
made an affidavit that he drove the con-
spirators TO the conference in his auto
mobile Cohen made an affidavit, when
was attached to the papers i'm the motion
before the Court of Appeals for lie"
trial for Becker, I'm which he denied that
he drove the car as Schepps had testined
at the first trial. He has repudiated that
affidavit as false. He was not witness
at the first trial. Probably his testimony
will supplant that OF Sam Schepps at the
second trial. which begins to-day before
Justice Seabury.
Cohens testimony will have an added
significance in the light OF the decision OF
the Court Of Appeals granting Becker
new trial The matter Of the Harlem
conference, with its lack Of corroboration
was one Of the reasons for that decision
Both Judge Hiscock and Judge Miller
dwelt on the importance OF proof OF the
Harlem meeting. and said that In their
opinion, II there was no other reason for
reversing the verdict, It should be done
on the strength OF the affidavits OF Cohen
and his partner. Isidore Schoenbaus, VINO
contradicted Shepps's testimony that one
or the other OF them drove him and the
others TO the conference. That was new
evidence worth while. according TO Judge
Miller. And now Cohen has repudiated IL
Everything is In readiness for the open
ing OF the second trial to-day at ~ :oo
a. m The first hundred OF the special
high class panel Of 500 veniremen, from
which the jury will be selected, are sub
pnnaed for the opening Of court to-day
The other 200 will report tomorrow ana
next day. unless they are needed before
II is expected the remainder OF the week
will be occupied in selecting the jury.
In view Of the severe criticism by the
Court Of Appeals OF the long sessions.
some of them at night, and the haste OF
the first trial, IL is not likely that the
court will hold these lengthy sessions at
the second trial. Justice Seabury, unless
a compelling reason should arise, intends
to open court at 1880 a m. and adjourn
each day at 80 p. m More than $50
witnesses have been subppnaed by both
sides. and II IS calculated that the trial
will probably last a month. There has
been a large demand for accommodations
in the courtrooms for the representatives
Of the newspapers. and special tickets
have been issued TO insure their proper
Identification at the sessions.