Evening star., 1915-02-14
ADMITS PERJURY
At BECKER TRIAL:
Negro Now Says He Did Not
See Officer With
Gunmen.
MAN WAS Threatened,
SAYS DISTRICT ATTORNEY
New York Official Also Declares
Money Was Offered to
Gain Denial.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, February 13.-
John B. Johnston, a 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
Rosenthal in New York, had signed a
statement tonight in the form Of an
affidavit to the effect that he swore
falsely at the second trial of Becker.
Marshall was arrested here last night
on a minor charge and was released to-
day His wife is alleged to have made
a remark in the presence of news
paper man that Marshall had been an
important witness in the Becker case
Alleged False Testimony.
When seen later in the day. accord
ing to Mr. Johnston, Marshall sald ne
had sworn falsely in the Becker case.
Marshall is said to have TESTIFIED IN the
case that he saw Becker talking to
..BaId Jack" Rose, "Bridgie" Weber
and Sam" ScheppS. In the afnoaVt
signed by Marshall tonight, Mr.. John.
sion said. Marshall declares he did not
know Rose, Webber or Schepps-,
When asked whether he attached any
sipnifcance to Marshalrs alleged state
sments, Mr.. Johnson said he resaroeo
them as Important"
Mt. johnson hurried to Philadelphia
late this afternoon at the reauest d heen u,
informed of Marshalls alleged state
ment. Marshall is not under arrest.
District Attorneys Statement.
NEW YORK, February 1s.-District
Attorney Charles A. Perkins declared
in a statement tonight that the testi-
rnony given by James Marshall at the
trial of Police Lieutenant Charles
Becker was secured from Marshall
substantially as he afterward gave 1t
on the witness stand. IN the Iorm oi an an
affidavit within ten minutes after ne
was brought into the district attorneys
office upon his arrival in this city be-
fore the trial.
in the affidavit alleged to have oeen
made by Marshall In Philadelphia
THE statement made by Marshall Is
absolutely false" declared Mr.. Perkins,
quested to give his testimony. He was
never requested by an assistant DIS
trict attorney to do so. When he
reached here he was taken to the dis,
trict attorneys office and gu Sues.lonnea aon q
case In ten minutes he had made a
statement which was reduced to the
form of an affidavit. substantially
identical with the CeStamOuy nc save
1T the trial.
Money offered, Is Charge.
Ever since last August we have
known directly from him that he was
being offered money to make and sign
a statement to the effect that the tes-
,imony given by him at the trial was
untrue We also know from him that
he was being threatened and was In
constant fear of bodily harm, unless he
would make a retraction- He was told
that such retraction would not hurt
him; that there was money In 1t and
that he would get hurt if he didn't
make it."
Mr. Perkins said that Monday the
papers In the Becker appeal probably
would be fled in the district attorneys s
office for the argument which will take
place about the middle of March before
the court of appeals in Albany. He did
not deny that the affidavit said to have
been made by Marshall In Philadelphia
might be brought forward as ground
for a motion for a new trial. but he
thought it probable in such an event
the court of appeals hearing the mo-
ton would demand the presence of
Marshall himself to corroborate the
affidavit.