New Britain herald., 1919-04-24
OF SIX Tells
MOTHERS DEATH
TestiheS That she Was Slain
by His Uncle .

New York, April 24.-Richard Zah-
ner, not quite six years old, was the
principal witness for the prosecution
yesterday against his uncle, Richard
Phister of Sc Barley street, Brooklyn,
who is on trial before Supreme Court
Justice Cropsey in Long Island City
on a charge of murder in the first
degree for the killing of his sister,
Mrs. Ella M. Zahner, in her home at
10 Earl court, Woodhaven, on Jan. 9,
last.
The brother and sister had disa-
a1'eed over the estate left by their
father, which was being managed by
u Phister. The shooting took place in
the presence Of the boy
81 Little Richard was taken to the
y WITNESS chair by his father, Jacob
ahner. When he was seated, Justice
Cropsey questioned him. The boy
told his age, and said he attended a
kindergarten. The justice asked him
If he knew what was meant by telling
the truth, and he said he did.
Wants TO See Mama Soon.
''What will happen if you don't?'
asked the justice.
81 won't go to heaven if I tell lie,
and then I won't see my mama"
said the little fellow. Il loved mama,
and want to see her just as soon as
j can.
Mama was getting me ready for
bed when Uncle Dick came in con-
tinued the boy. when Uncle Dick
began talking to mama [ went up
stairs. [ called to mama to come up
and put the covers around me and
kiss me good night, but she did not
-toiY tn
her. T walked through the parlors
aad j heard mama and Uncle Dick
talking about some bills. Uncle Dick
jaFnped up quick and he pulled pis-
toll from his pocket.
II was going to shut my eyes be-
cause I was scared, but before l did
I heard bang and I saw the fire and
MAMA fell down. J. knew mama was
hurt and T ran TO Uncle Dick to stop
him. He came toward: me and L
caught hold of his leg.
'Then he hit me twice on the head
with the revolver. Then he went out.
went to mama and she did not
speak to me- I ran out of the house
to the people across the street and
told them about mama
s@ft Said "HelIo!'' to His Uncle.
The boy stuck to his story through
O. rather long cross-examination.
When he was through his father led
him to the back of the courtroom. In
doing so he passed near the defend
snf1t The boy turned and said, Hello,
ITncle Dick!" The defendant smiled
at him.
Detective Charles Krummel testified
he. arrested Phister several hours
after the shooting. Phister was found
in the cellar of his mothers home. He
gave the detective a revolver which
had one discharged cartridge in it. In
the police station he confessed the
shooting.
at was talking with my sister and
she told nae that she disowned me as
o. brother" read Phister's confession.
'"That made me lose my head. Then I
shot her"
Phister's wife, Mrs. Mary E. Phis-
ter, his son Richard, his daughter
Louise, and his mother, Mrs. Anna
Phister, were the chief witnesses for
the defense.
SIN the past four or five years
MY husband has been suffering with
terrible headaches" testified the wife.
He took large quantities of all kinds
of drugs prepared for headache On
the night of the shooting he took a
big bottle Of bromo-seltzer. He had
become accustomed to sit for hours
in the cellar of our home"
Tt is expected that Phister will
testify today and that will end the
case for the defense.