New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-28
SECOND WITNESS
LIED FOR GUNNER
BurWell Confesses He Com
mitted Perjury When
Before Golf.

William T. Burwell. Of Waterbury,
Conn. known as the st Louis Kid
who was a witness for the four gunner
in the hearing before Justice Gofr on a
motion for a new trial. confessed to Dis
trict Attorney Whitman early this morn
ing that his testimony at that time was
perjured.
Carl Dresner, a bartender, another wit
ness at the same hearing. only recently
admitted to the District Attorney that he
had perjured himself. Dresner is in the
Tombs awaiting the action Of the grand
jury.
Burwell was brought down from Con-
necticut last night and reached the Dis
trict Attorneys house about midnight
His examination was rigid one and be
fore he was taken TO the Tombs to be
detained as a prisoner he had admitted
practically everything Mr. Whitman
wanted TO know. lie made an affidavit
In which he repudiated every bit OF the
testimony he gave before Justice Gor
when the last attempt was made 10 get
a stay for the four gunner.
him for making the affidavit and testifyins
as he did. In addition to that informa-
ton ne told tho District Attorney the
name OF the man who conducted the
negotiations with him and paid over the
money. Mr.. Whitman said after the ex-
animation was over that he expected to
be able to trace tho power behind this
intermediary to the Becker defence or
those interested in freeing the ex-police
lieutenant.
The District Attorneys office, having
got the confessions OF Dresner and Bur-
well. is now looking for the third wit
ness. Buffalo man who gave testimony
that in the light OF recent developments
will probably be proved false
Burwell was "cocky" when he entered
the presence OF the District Attorney. but
as the examination proceeded his sssur-
ance diminished. until. at the end OF two
hours. he broke down completely and
made the statement Mr.. Whitman was
looking for
For his part in the final scheme to
save the gunner Burwell said he got s3O
II Is true that 81 900 was promised II he
made good. but he knew we'll enough
after the District Attorney got through
with HIM on the stand that day that he
had not made good. He then tried TO
collect the rest of the $1,000. but failed.
Burwell took up the thread OF his story
from Poughkeepsie, where he was play
ing pool with a counterfeiter when the
latter suggested to him that there was
lot of money TO be had in New York
while the Becker case was on. He was
introduced TO the brother of New York
policeman. Burweil said. brought 10 New
York by him and taken to some lawyers.
There. he maintained. he told OF his be-
Ing in New York the night of the Rosen-
thai murder. but advanced the informa-
ton that he had not been anywhere near
the scene OF the shooting. However, he
said. a picture OF Vallon was produced
and lie was told that this was tho man
who had done the shooting.
II am on lie replied.
lie later signed AN affidavit. according
to his confession to Mr.. Whitman, with
out knowing what was In IL All he did
was to sign and collect $50. accepting q
verbal promise for $3.50
District Attorney Whitman expects even
more startling Developments to-day. al
though he expressed himself early this
morning as heing fairly satisfied At keep
ing two perjurers or the stand Mt the
second Becker trial.
Burwel was located In Derby. Conn.
yesterday. and taken TO New Haven at
tho request OF Henry Donnelly. head Of