The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-22
TOMBS PERSECUTION
OF GIRL Is ALLEGED
Judge to Investigate Charge
of Attempts to Break Miss
Baksa's Nerve.

Judge Otto A. Rosalsky. presiding at
the trial OF Elizabeth Baksa. the nine
teen-year old girl from Freemansburs.
Pa. accused OF the murder Of Mrs.
Helen Hamei, will investigate charges
Of the defence counsel that studied at
tempts are being made TO cause n
nervous breakdown of the girl in the
Tombs.
Her condition when she was brought
into court after the noon recess at
tracted the attention OF the Judge. She
was crying and was in a semi-hysterical
state The composure which has char
ac,erized her attitude IN the court room
during the last three days had alto
gether deserted her.
They are telling lies about me- Why
don't they get the right person. for
did not do any OF the things they
say I did she said to her attorneys,
as she was assisted to her chair by n
court officer why don't they let me
go? They will,not lie. me eat anything
and while was at lunch they tried to
take my clothes away from me"
Thomas B. Mcdonald. one o. the
girls attorneys, talked to Warden Han
ley of the Tombs about the girls
charges. II was found that an at
tempt had been made during the recess
to take the clothes she wore In court
away from her. as, 1t was said. they
belong to another prisoner.
The dress was given to my client
by. another prisoner" Mr.. Mcdonald
said. II don't know why she was
so abruptly asked TO return il at such
time unless II was by some one in
terested in breaking down her nerve.
She says she IL not allowed to eat her
meals In peace, and that some one or
other is continually annoying her with
questions while she is out of the court
room"
1t was stated by one OF the gi.rs at
torneys yesterday that the defence will
admit the accused was with Mrs. Hamel
short time before and after the nun
dered woman died. but not at the time
OF the commission OF the crime. The
girls story is that she was sent By
Mrs. Hamol TO buy some groceries. On
he return she found the body OF Mrs.
Hamel with towel knotted about the
neck and an unidentified man In the
rooSl.
IN the belief that Mrs. Hamel was
alive. the defence will state the girl
bathed wounds on her head and placed
pads of cotton and bandaRes on them.
Then she accused the man of having
caused the wounds whereupon he strug.
gled with her and threw her into an ad-
Joining room with Mrs. Hameis dogs. at
the same time threatening her life. IT
will be admitted that the screams which
a witness told of hearing came from the
accused, who says she was attacked by
The dogs, which caused the scratches on
her arm and tore her clothing.
ID. Otto II. Schultze. medical assistant
to District Attorney Swami. described
the teeth marks on the murdered wom-
ans arm, He said they were caused
before death. which would dispose OF
the tsfence theory OF their having been
caused by the dogs.
Testimony relating TO the purchase OF
the new clothing the accused wore when
was given by several witnesses
at the afternoon session OF the court
They said she appeared greatly excited
Sergeant Patrick Collesry Of the Eight
zenith precinct station also told of arrest
Ing Miss Baksa near the scene OF the
murder February II, four days after the