Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-19
DECKER'S WIFE
INSISTS THAT
! He co ON STAND
But Manton Declares That
Neither Defendant Nor Mrs.
Becker Will Testify.
THIRTY WITNESSES CALLED
BY LAWYERS FOR BECKER
Effort Will Be Made to Reveal
Alleged "Frame-Up" of
Defendant.
THIRTY WITNESSES CALLED
BY LAWYERS FOR BECKER
Especial to the Evening star.I

Especial TO the Evening Stor,I
NEW YORK, May 19.-That neither
Charles Becker nor his wife will take
the stand to deny that Becker forced
the murder of gambler Rosenthai
was the declaration of Becker's chief
counsel, Martin T. Manton. Manton
said this was final, but that was
doubted. The defense has changed
Its tactics often. One change came
today, when, after his positive decla-
ration few days ago that he would
make no opening address, Manton
switched and began just such state
ment. AS Justice Seabury mounted
the bench Manton moved that the
charge against Becker be dismissed,
but this was denied.
Among thirty witnesses whom it
was announced will be called by the
defense will be Warden Clancy and
Father Cashin, of Sing Sing prison;
s former District Attorney Jerome,
members of the Becker strong-arm
squad, several reporters and Sheriff
Harburger, who took Becker to the
death-house.
,
the State has failed to make out a
case Becker. his wife and Hartford
Marshall, Of his counsel, however,
are said to have fought long last
night in conference with Manton,
urging that Becker tell his story. Be-
fore court opened today 1t was be-
lieved that Jacob Rose, king of the
z newsboys, who lifted Rosenthal's dy-
ing form after the gunmen's bullets
struck, would be the first witness.
Nearly thirty other witnesses are on
the defense list. They will probably
take UP about three days of the
courts time.
Hard hit by terrific blows of the
prosecution, witnesses as developed
by District Attorney Whitman, the
defense faced the necessity of COM
batting the main evidence given
against Becker.
Letter to Summit Editor.
Pitt resumed the stand at the be-
ginning of the afternoon session to
meet the attack of Manton in the
fierce cross examination leveled at
him. The lawyer moved within six
feet of the witness and began to
hammer away at him.
First he introduced a letter .ad-
tiresssed to Alfred j. Lane, editor of
the Summit IN. J.) Record. 1t was
dated December 5. 1912. At that time
Pitt was friendly to Becker Pitt
finally admitted that he might have
written the letter which was an ar
raignment of the newspapers of New
York and praised the attitude Mr..
Lane had taken with reference to
Becker's case. The letter attacked
nj ha In. ~
lar, and named a reporter on the
World as "Mr. Whitmans press
agent"
IF you only knew the real truth of
Becker's case" the letter said, sit
would open your eyes. Becker has
gone to the death house an innocent
man.. Why, I received a note from
Jack Rose just an hour before he did
the dirty thing which Whitman want
ed him to do"
The letter also referred to Mr.. Whit
mans carload of murderers," blamed
the district attorney for sending
Becker away, and said that Mr.. Whit
man was seeking political fame and
would do anything to get higher office.
"Becker's time Is coming in the
Court of Appeals" the letter went on.
"You just wait until tnat court hands
down it's decision"
Large crowds were attracted to both
sessions of the court yesterday.
Among those seen in the audience
were: Justice Charles L. Guy, of the
Supreme Court, who sat on the bench
with Justice Seabury for time; Gov
ernor David l. Wash, of Massachu-
sets; Eugene Zimmerman, of Cincin-
natl, father of the Duchess of Man
chester; Mrs. Samuel Seabury, wife of
the trial judge; Lydia Lopokova the
Russian dancer; J. Hartley Manners,
the playwright and Chancellor Edwin
r Walker, of New Jersey.