New-York tribune., 1919-06-18
Capt. Tracy Asserts on Stand
He Was Sure of Doctors
Guilt Fifteen Minutes
After Talking With Him
Defence Has New Theory
Burglars Known, Is Claim,
and Lawyers for Physician
Hope They Can Prove 1t
Stuff Correspondence

M1NEOLA, June 17.-Captain Patrick
Tracy, chief of the Long Beach police.
declared on the witness stand to-day
that fifteen minutes after he had talked
to Dr.. Wilkins and had seen the con-
dition of things at his home on the
morning following the murder he was
convinced that the physician had mur-
dered his wife.
The court, where Dr.. Walter Keene
Wilkins is on trial for his life, was
about to adjourn for the day when
Captain Tracy came on the witness
stand. He mads the statement on
cross-examinatiun He viii resume the
stand tomorrow mornirg.
Counsel for the defence DECLARE
themselves to be morality csntain Of the
identity Of the tlcrae burglars who are
alleged to have murdered Mrs. vii
kins, and they nope to prove that their
suppositions are correct before the
trial is over SO far they have given
no hint Of where their trump card lies.
II came to light in tp~days testimony
that at conference held by Allen
Myers, Louis Friess, CasSius Coleman
and DIR. Wilkins, before the latter was
arrested, Mr.. Friesss. attorney for the
defendant, adnpniafad his client to
keep quiet when questions were being
asked.
"Dont Talk Too Mudifs
"Don't talk too much, Pop. You viii
hang YOURSELF Mr. Friesss is alleged to
have said to Dr. Wilkins.
Increasing Interest la the case is
evidenced In tho crowds arriving by
motor and on foot at tho Nassau Coun~
ty Court House. Women suunlerins st
Long Beach appear to form the greater
part OF the audience. When litter
went through the court as Witness
testified to having cried over Mrs.
Wiikins's death, Justice David S. Man
ming threatened to clear the court
room. This Is trial, not a matinee.
he Informed the laughing women
Captain Tracy told of having reached
the Wilkins home at $50 on the
morning following the murder. He re-
peated the story DIR. Wilkins told him
OF the burglars. The defendant had
tahen MN over the ground and showed
M Diood STAINS on gate in the rear
OF the house, said the witness He had
told him the three burglars wore caps
pulled down close to their noses. He had
asked Dr. wilkins what nationality they
were. said the witness, and the replv
had been: They are regular New
Workers."
Taken Out Of His Hands
Captain Tracy told Of his conviction
OF the physlcian's guilt He upset the
equilibrium Of the court to the. extent
OF even making the defendant laugh.
why did you not arrest the doctor
then" Charles n. Wysong demanded,
because the county officials took the
case out Of my hands before had
chance TO-" he replied.
DR.. James L. Mangano, first lieu
tenant in the Medical Corps, told Of
assisting in the operation performed
On Mrs. wilkins, She wore an over
'oat and white gloves, not the brown
gloves produced in court, he said.
Frank Barbicrf, proprietor Of tbe
lafayette Hotel, told OF finding Or
wilkins fxiNz his clothes after he
neard of the death Of his wife. The
defendant dropped 10 the floor and
PM his face in his bends,
Did yon notes that hs vas so,yt,3nv
or That his shoulders were shaking 2,
inquired Ar. Wysong,
well, was pretty much upset my. |