Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-25
WAITE THIEF ALL HIS
LIFE, TWO BROTHERS
TELL MURDER JURY
Stole From Mothers Boarders,
Also at College and From
His Employers in South
Africa
WAS BRUTAL TO ANIMALS

NEW YORK, May 25.--Two brothers Of
DR.. Arthur Warren Waite on trial for his
life on a charge of killing his father-in-law,
John Il. Peck, testified today that Waite
had been thief all his life. They told how
he had stolen from boarders in his mothers
home when he was lad, from students
when he was in high school and in college,
and from his employers in South Africa.
Frank Waite was the first brother to
testify AS he left the witness stand Mrs.
Clara Louise Peck Waite wife of the man
on trial hastily arose from her seat beside
the jury box and seized the witness hands.
Her lips moved but her voice was so low
that only Frank could hear what she said.
He smiled at her in understanding and
sympathy.
Clyde Waite followed his brother on the
stand He recalled Arthur's school days,
said he was quarrelsome and troublesome
that he never seemed to be able to pass a
dog or a cat without pulling its tail and
at one time had drowned a kitten.
RELATIVES IN AsYLuMs.
Warren w. Waite, the defendants father
followed his sons on the stand He said
that his father in June. 1871 left home,
and had never been heard of afterward.
one of his mothers nieces, he testified died
in an asylum for the insane in Michigan,
and one of Doctor Waite's cousins is now
In an asylum and another was for time In
Mich.
The elder Waite testified that cousin
Of his was deaf and dumb, and that his
sister. Mrs Lillian Waite Watson, was af-
fected by the death of her hrst-born child.
He said she had been morose and mentally
deficient ever since
Justice Shearn ruled out all the testl-
mony along this line.
When Arthur was born, the witness said,
he weighed IL pounds, and was more irri- |
ha no nj rhildrnn and gave them |
a lot of trouble all the time
CLYDE WAITE ON STAND.
Frank Waite is a thin.faced. graying.
haired man. His facial expression indicated |
he has endured more anguish over the case |
than has his brother, the defendant
Clyde Waite was next called.
He testified that his brother Arthur was |
cruel to horses when boy, and took de- |
light in drowning a kitten.
Did he appear to have any appreciation |
of the difference between right and wrong"
Clyde was asked.
HE did not. He committed thefts while
at high school and in college," Clyde con-
tinued.
Doctor Waite hung his head in shame as
this testimony was given. Clyde Hate is
four years older than Arthur. He looks
quite like him.
Did you, Clyde, ever steal money from
your employer in Grand Rapids?" Assistant
Attorney Brothers demanded on
mo"
Didn't you receive a $4,000 check from
Arthur March to help make good the
shortage?"
There was no shortage. No money was
sent to buy a farm"
The check here referred to was money
Doctor Waite got from Mrs. Katherine
Peck. 1t has since been returned.
FATHER TEsTIFIES.
Warren w Waite, father of the defend
ant then faltered to the stand. His hair
is gray, his face bronzed as that OF man
who has lived outdoors. The father is So
Lille Jackson, cousin of mine, daugh-
ter of my mothers sister, died in an insane
asylum" the elder Waite began Bert"
Lilies brother, is now in asylum at
Ann Arbor because his mind is unsound.
Another brother of Lilies has been treated
for mental unsoundness."
Arthur ran away to Canada after high
school," the father continued, "and I had
10 go after him. He lied to me frequently.
Once l had to return 5000 he had taken.
He was sullen when would not allow him
10 have his own way"
Still dapper, faultlessly attred. and his
ong, wavy hair carefully brushed, Waite
look his place in the courtroom again to-
lay sitting only few PAGES in front of
mis- aged father and two brothers, Frank
and Clyde. It was the first time Clyde
w ate dppedIeu at the lIldl' opening |
FOR the defense, Duell said
"The people of New York alege DR..
Waite committed the atrocious crime of
John E. Peck March ~. and at
hat time he was of sound mind. You have
sworn not to be biased by the introduction
II testimony as to mental unsoundness.
LIFE STORY TO BE Barred.
"If you find him mentally unsound at the
line of the crime, to find him guilty would
make you parties to judicial murder-if I
nay that term.
"Of course. If you find he was of sound
Mind a verdict of guilty would be proper.
From his father and two brothers you
shall hear the story of his life. l shall
show his life in as great detail as | can.
From the lips of the defendant you shall
lear his own story that you may Judge
or yourself what manner OF man he is.
THE defense will give testimony as to all
acts in connection with the death of Peck,
30 that the jury will have every particle
If information we have.
you shall also hear from physicians
heir opinion Of his mental soundness."
Frank Waite was called as the first wit
less.