Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-14
NEGRO Says HE sWORE
FALSELY AGAINST BECKER
Witness at Trial. In Affidavit, De-
ciarcs He Did Not Know Rose,
Weber or Schepps.
PERKINS is NOT SURPRISED
District Attorney Refers to Efforts
Made to Force Man to Sign State
ment That His Testimony Was In
truc-Argument Next Month.

ment That His Testimony Was In
true-Argument Next Month.
PHILADELPHIA, February l3.-John
H. Johnson. Il New York lawyer, said
here tonight that James Marshall the
negro who was a witness In the case
Of Charles Becker. under sentence OF
death for the murder OF Herman
i;oscn,hal In New York. had signed u
statement in the form of an affidavit
TO the effect that he swore falsely at
lockers second trial.
Marshall signed a four-page affidavit
in the presence of witnesses. setting
forth that his words on the STAND were
false. lie indicated In writing that the
New York district attorneys Office in
nucnced him TO testify as the prosecu-
ton wished under threat of arrest
and Imprisonment.
MADE FALSE AFFIDAVIT
CONCERNING RAID
Marshall declared In his statement
that he had made a false affidavit con
cerning an alleged raid by Lieutenant
Becker and had signed fictitious
name, Moore. TO II.
This affidavit. he continued. was laid
before him when be was taken to the
district attorneys oiiicc and he was
informed there that 81 would be used
as a basis for criminal prosecution for
perjury unless he adhered to the story
that he had seen BALD Jack" Rose and
Becker In conference Mt One hundred
and Twenty fourth Street and Seventh
Avenue. In Harlem. several nights pre-
cedinE tho murder OF Roscnthal.
Immediately after he had testified at
49,
he was taken before "A grand jury, and
after his testimony had been read TO
him. he was warned BY one Of the
grand Jurors that II he ut any timo
thereafter told n story Mt variance with
that told on the stand he would be
guilty OF perjury.
Furthermore. Marshall said he re-
ceivcd three checks from the office of
the district attorney while he was un-
der subpoena, one for $40, ono for $50,
and another for 800. Marshall said
he did not remember whose name APP
reared as tho maker of the checks.
COMPELLED TO USE ALLEYS
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
The New York district attorneys Of
Hcc advised him, Marshall continued,
10 keep under cover. and actually com
PEELED him TO use back alleys. az much
as possible. instead OF the more open
thoroughfares, before he took the stand
for the prosecution. The prosecution. he
said. demanded this because the Becker
people were nfter me, and ! would have
TO lie low"
Beginning with h!s arrival In New
York City. WHO'RE he said he had been
summoned under preteXt OF a se0-a-
week theatrical contract. Marshall de-
clared that he was presented with a
subpoena n witness in the Becker
trial the minute he stepped on the
train. and was then taken to the dis
trict attorneys Office. where he met
Assistant District Attorney T. B
Grochl
There was questioned" he said In
The affidavit. concerning the outline
OF the testimony ! was to give"
His affidavit goes on:
Il was asked what ! knew of the
alleged meeting between Becker and
not know Jack Rose, and had never
seen him. Assistant District Attorney
Groehl told me that ! could be ar
rested and held in the house Of detcn-
ton until time for me to testify un-
less testified willingly.
Having theatrical engagements still
untitled in other cities. explained that
II would be Impossible for me TO re-
main In New York until the trial YVES
called. Tho assistant district attorney
then stated that he would have an
attache OF his office accompany me out
side Of New York. and this man went
with me everywhere I went dny and
night, and never was out Of his sight
moment. We spoke frequently of tho
testimony ! was TO give at the trial.
Il met Assistant District Attorney
Groehl in Washington and again talked
70 him concerning the testimony was
to give on tho stand"
During the time he was In New York
Marshall stated that he received from
tho district attorneys office tho three
checks.
LITE VERY PLEASANT
DURING THOSE DAYS
Life was very pleasant for no
there" says Marshall. "It was nothing
but theatres and auto rides through the
park all day long. went TO the thea
re almost every afternoon, and never
got up before II o'clock in the morn
ing
Concerning his acquaintance with
lack Rose. MarshnlIs signed statement
says:
Il never knew Jack Rose, and did
not know IT was no who Is said to have
rnst Becker on the street that night
My only knowledge of Rose camo from
what Mr.. Groehl said, and what I read
in the newspapers"
AS Marshall was debating his state
ment he was asked:
Then you could not go on tho stand
fFAH HAEES AlfNNr