The Washington times., 1914-05-06
BECKER ATTORNEYS
BEATEN At OPENING
New York Police Lieutenant
Loses All Motions at Start OF
Second Trial.

NEW YORK. Nav S.-AbsOlute de-
feat for attorneys representing Charles
Becker, former police lieutenant on
his second trial here for plotting the
murder of Herman ROsenthal, met
every effort they put forth today to
delay the trial. obtain a change of
vsnuS and to have District Attorney
Charles Whitman committed for con-
tempt of court During the session
two jurors were obtained. They are:
+. Meredith Blagden, bond broker,
foreman.
". D. Dalton, advertising man.
After the two jurors had been sent
out under guard for luncheon and the
talesmen had left the courtroom, Su-
preme Court Justice Seabury ruled on
the applications of W. Bourke Cochran,
of Recker's counsel. that District At
torney Whitman be adjudged in con-
tempt of court for having given out
certain newspaper stories which, Cock
ran claimed were prejudicial to Beck
er
Manton Opens Attack.
Manton's attack on the district at
torney came as soon as court convened.
Before a room filled with talesmen and
with Mrs Becker the only woman pres
ent, the attorney for the man accused
of plotting Rosenthal's death opened his
batteries.
Charles Becker to the bari" thun-
dered the court crier just after Justice
Seabury was seated. and through door
at the rear Of the court room came the
bra awny figure of the man who was once
the czar Of New York's underworld.
Becker's face was in absolute repose,
as. guarded by only one policeman, ne
strobe to the front Of the room. He
greeted his counsel, Martin T.. Manton
and Rourka COCkraQ with q quick smile
and sat down.
Cochran then arose and addressed the
court with a demand that District At
torney Whitman be adjudged In con,
newspaper stories prejudicial to the de-
Tense Cochran, on being required to
do so, put his demand in the form OF a
motion. which Justice Seabury promised
to pass on at o'clock.
Cockran's motion was based on news
paper reports, said to have been in
spired by Whitman, to the erect that
Carl Dresner, a confessed perJurer, had
conspired with John Becker. the defend
ants brother, in such way as to preJu,
dice Beckers case. Cochran produced
affidavits by newspaper men in sup
port of his position and was waxing
eloquent when restrained by the court.
Whitman Makes Reply.
whitman, who then arose to address
the court, declared that he had given
out nothing improper. He said Becker
had had opportunity to give out state
ments from both the Tombs and from
Sing Sing, and that, as matter OF fact'
he had given out such statements, some
of which were distinctly prejudicial to
the case of the people.
After Justice Seaourys decision 10
rule on the contempt question later,
Cochran moved for change OF venue
This request Justice Seabury promptly
denied Cochran then asked FOR a
postponement on the grounds OF popu-
lar prejudice. To this Justice Sea6ury
granted in no circumstances, and the
examination OF talesmen began.
william NJ. Murdock. the first tales
man called, was examined by Whitman.
only a few words were needed to show
thaf Murdock had ''an unshakable
opinion" and he was excused:
During Murdock's examination Becker
Inotioned to his wife. She arose and
dressed entirely in black, and her face
showed wan and pale.
Hector Rosenfeld, a manufacturer.
was the second talesman called.
After Rosenfeld had been challenged
by the defense, Matthew w: Weob,
was excused because he had known
Becker and D. W. Cahin because he
had discussed the case. Several others
were either challenged or excused Tor
cause.
a bond broker. was accepted, and VIII
be the foreman Of the jury. He is q
Harvard graduate OF go Hc United
having had an opinion, but said he
could decide the case on the evidence
presented.
Compapativly few questions were
asked talesmen by the prosecution. but
each was closely questioned by tue de-
tense as to acquaintance with the
Rosenthal family, prejudice against the
police and other points which may be
at Issue in the trial
new witness in the case was re-
ported to have been uncovered today
in the person of Walter Washington,
q negro porter employed in Bridgie
Webbers pool room. He is said to be
ready to swear that he saw Weber
Rose. Vallon, and Bscker in conference
at the time Rosenthals murder ls said
20 have been finally planned.