The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-14

oution In the Mohr murder rial got .
setback Just before tho close Of to-day's
session. whom Judge Stearns ruled out
the entire hne Of inquiry which had been
made during the afternoon in regard to
the confession credited to Cecil ".
Brown. one o the negroes on trial.
THIS offset the point scored BY the
prosecution during the morning session.
whsn after . prolonged discussion. and
many OBJECTIONS that were overruled,
Chief Inspector o'Neill was permitted
to produce q postal card written to
George Rocks. brother .in-law Of Miss
Burger, In which Mrs. Mohr declared
that the latter would come to a sad end
II she did not keep AWAY from DR..
Mohr.
Nrs. Mohr wa visibiy affected and
wept when this written threat was laid
before the Jury. Her counsel sought
to nuliify the effect of the postal card by
bringing out the fact that the threat was
written q yeAr before the tragedy. She
was much depressed until late In the az
ternoon when by persistent crose-ex-
animation Of O'Neill BY her attorneys,
Lewis and Fitzgerald. II was brought out
that the Brown confession" was not
Browns at all, and was not prepared
by the police for him to sign.
It was shown that O'Neili had Ques-
tened the three negroes and was reduc-
ing their statements to writing. when
Mira Mohr. who had been sent for, ar
rived at headquarters. O'Neiil did not
finish making hts memoranda
Heals tie 0aly siGner.
He had read from his notes to the
newspaper reporters, n OF whom typed
the so-called confession. which was read
to the negroes. and which. 1t Is asserted,
was agreed TO as correct. George w.
Heals had signed this and the other
negroes were expected to follow him.
confession that was read to the Jury
to-day. after the defence had made
strenuous opposition.
O'Neili had left the witness stand n
Chief Robbins Of harrington had been
called but not sworn. when Browns
counsel held a consultation with Judge
Stearns relative TO the record. When
OtNeill was recalled. the fact was
brought out that Heals was the only
shgner Of the confession" that II was
not an official confession. that the latter
had never been completely transcribed
from the original notes and. furthermore
that the uncompleted confession" did
not say that either OF the defendant
shot Mohr. The court at once threw out
the whole testimony relating to the con-
fession.'
Chief Robbins will be called to-mor-
row morning 10 testify concerning what
Heals confessed 10 him. and Inspectors
Monaghan and Ahern will follow with
testimony relative to what the negroes
said about Mrs. Mohr and the SHOOTING
after they had been placed under arrest.
Healis may not take the stand until
Monday. as there will he no court on
Saturday. As he Is not a defendant In
this case but a volunteer Witness having
pleaded nolo 70 manslaughter. he CON
fesslon' he signed is held TO he inadmis-
sible as against Brown and Spellman.
O'Neill was asked what he g by
the written confession.
Brown vas making a statement and
I was writing II down" he replied.
Did ne sign that
mo. II was not completed because At
that time Mrs. Mohr was brought in"
why was no the statement sisned?'
says Brown Didn't Refuse.
Because. a. have said. Mrs. Moh
cane in. Brown never refused 10 sign It.
The statement signed by Heals was tho
first one written. That vas signed"
Did you come into tine case at your
own request"
NO. at that OF Chief Robbins OF Bar
rington. 1t Is customary FOR the Provi-
dence police to help in the country towns.
was sent under orders 10 Harrington