The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-12-06
baby
DEAD, CLAIMS
DIR. KRUGER
Defendant in Manslaughter
ase Testifies in Own Behalf
Ignorant of State Burial
Law, He Says.
COURT IS ADJOURNED

That he thought the child was dead,
and that after he left the Smith home
he did not think it was necessary to
make another examination of the body
before throwing it on the South Fifth
street dump, was claimed by DR.. Fred.
erick w. Kruger, in his testimony Of
his trial for mansiaughter for the
death Of Infant John Smith, Saturday
morning.
The doctor claimed that although It
was customary to tie the umbilical
cord Of all infants Immediately after
birth, whether the child was dead or
not, he did not make the final dress
ing in this instance, because he be-
ueved the child was abnormal, and
that this was an exception. He also
stated on cross examination that he
had told the nurse it was unneces-
sary to wash the child after birth.
On Cross examination, DR.. Kruger
claimed absolute ignorance of the
state laws regarding the burial Of
human bodies, and that he thought it
would be all right for the child's IA
ther to bury it in the back yard Of
the Smith home.
Thought Mother Nervous.
He stated that prior to taking the
child from the house, when its father
called him at his home. he believed
that it was only nervousness on the
part Of the mother that led her to be-
lieve that there was motion in the
package containing the child.
In speaking of a telephone CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Smith, Dr. Kruger
said: "Mr. Smith called me over the
telephone and said, Don't you think
you had better come out here, Doctor
My wife thought she heard that bun
die move
Il told him that she was very ner-
vous and just imagined that there
was a movement, and that he shoulC!
Just put that bundle out of the room "
did he say that the bundle had
| movede" attorney for the defense
| asked.
mo. he said My wife thought she
heard it moving" was the answer.
Did you think at that time that the
child was alive?"
'.No. did not think the child wa.
alive but that It was merely hen
nervousness"
Csf -~woss examination Dr.. Kruegel
claimed that he was satisfied in hi.
own mind that the child was dad. H,
admitted however, that he did not fol
low mis- general practice in making ,
final dressing OF the umbilical cord O
the child. although this was done 1,
ell other cases, regardless Of whethe
tks child was dead or alive
'Sidn't Know Burial Laws.
On being questioned by the prose
cuties attorney regarding his knowl
edge Of state laws on BURIAL Dr.
K.Neger said:
Il did not know Of any state law re
garding burial"
"How long have you been practic
ing medicine in the city," the prose
cutor asked.
Fifteen years."
During that time you were a cour
ty health officer were you not?"
ives, for 4 years"
What was the law at that time Il
regard to the burial Of human beings I?
Il did not know there was any Law
regarding burial"
DR.. Krueger's testimony and eros
examination was concluded abou
1870 a. m. this morning, and Judg
Cause adjourned court until Monda
morning at o'clock. At this time tn
prosecution announced that It woul
offer short testimony in rebutta
and the court said that he would the,
begin the attorneys arguments,
The time to be given for argumen
had not been stated by the Judge, a
though he said this morning that an
pie time would be given both sides t
cover the case.