Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-13
But Court at Providence
Robs Case of Much
Popular Interest by
Exc luding Evidence
Concerning Ch arac-
ter of the Doctor S
Practice
MISS BURGERS
STORY TO JURY
Secretary and Housekeeper for
Murdered Physician Tells of
Their Relations - Chief In
spector O'Neil Denies Rough
Handling of Negroes

Providence, r. T., Jan. 12-The ad-
mission Of alleged confessions by the
two Negro defendants and the exclu-
sion of evidence concerning the char
acter Of the medical practice of Dr.
c. Franklin Mohr were the most in
teresting developments at today's ses-
sion of the trial of Mrs. Mohr Cecil
Victor Brown and Henry H. Spellman
who are accused of the death of the
physician.
Popular Interest Wanes
BY the latter ruling the court rob-
bed the case Of much of it's popular
interest as counsel for the defense
had intimated that@sensational revela-
lions might be expected. The alleged
confessions of the Negroes that they
were employed by Mrs. Mohr to muir
der her husband and claimed by the
police to have been made to them
were later repudiated except in the
case of third Negro, George w.
Heals, who has turned states evil
dence. The court stated however. that
the jury would be instructed to disre-
gard the confessions in considering the
guilt or innocence of Mrs. Mohr. Coun-
sci fought strenuously to exclude the
confessions.
Denies Third Degree
Chief Inspector William F. O'Neil of
the Providence police department tes-
titled that the statements were made
by Brown and Spellman voluntarily
and denied they were roughly handled
before confessing.
Questions put to Miss Emily G.
Burger, secretary and sometimes
housekeeper for the late DR.. Mohr in
cross examination this afternoon fore
Swallowed in a measure what the de-
tense of the two Negroes. Brown and
Spellman, is likely to be. Miss Burger
was in the automobile with the doctor
on the night he was shot. and received
two bullet wounds herself.
Admitting she was closely acquaint
ed with DR.. Mohr's business affairs.
specialized in, if anything. The prose-
cutting attorney was instantly on his
feet with an objection. Were his pa
tients mostly women OPP be-
gan Mr.. Lewis, when the state again
objected.
Inquiry Excluded
'What is the materially Of the
question:" inquired the court.
I'VE want to show that someone else
besides these defendants may have had
motive to have the doctor out of
the way" answered Attorney Lewis.
Judge Stearns excluded this line Of
| inquiry.
At another point in the cross exam
ination Attorney Lewis inquired Of
Miss Burger if she did not tell some
one that she received her black eye
and bruise on the left arm as a re-
suit of rough handling by Heals, the
doctors chauffeur, in dragging her to
the side of the roadway after she was
shot
This line Of questioning suggested to
the prosecution that the defense may
attempt to show that Heals was one
of the actual assassins.
Friendly with Dr.. Mohr
Miss Burger in her story to the jury
told for the first time publicly. stated
that she was very friendly with DR..
Mohr and admitted that she had Wis
tied severa. hotels with him, had gone
shopping with him to Boston and had
walked along the beach at Newport
| with him on Sunday afternoons.
Mrs. Mohr sat sternly and listened
to this recital with the only betrayal
of feeling coming from her eyes and
the paleness Of her cheeks.
Continued on Page 5-coIumn u