New-York tribune., 1919-04-01
Wilkins Crime
Long Planned,
Say Detectives
Startling Evidence, Just OBJ
tanned, Leads Them to
Assert That Murder Was
Premeditated for Months
Stct Correspondence

Stct Correspondence
MINEOLA, L. l., March 31.-The Will
klns murder mystery took an amazing
turn to-day. The authorities, who have
sought through investigators to solve
the mystery, have come to the con-
clusion that the crime was not only
premeditated, but was planned months
ago. They assert that the methodical
manner in which the preparations for
the murder we're made has convinced
them beyond all doubt that the fate
of the woman was decided upon early
in December. What caused them to
reach these conclusions at this time
is being kept secret. 1t was learned,
however, that the detectives have evil
was premeditated.
District Attorney Weeks and Allan
Meyer, of the Burns Detective Agency,
refused to discuss the new develop
ments to-day. Both asserted that the
preparation of the case for trial IS
taking up all their time. Mr.. Meyer
said that operatives from his office
had obtained affidavits from Audrey
Munson and her mother, Catherine,
which will have an important bearing
on the trial. These affidavits were
sworn to at Toronto, Canada, where
Munsons are now staying The con-
tents of these documents will not be
revealed until the trial.
Jiyed at H;s Poa~d;ru uouoo
The Munsons lived at the boarding
house owned by DR.. Walter w. wilkins,
at 1874 West Sixty-hfth Street, for some
time. The physician, who is accused
of the murder of his wife, has stated
that he was forced to put them out be-
cause they insisted on cooking in their
room.
Louis G. Friess, counsel for Dr. Viii
kins, visited him in the Mncola jail to-
day. Later he talked with reporters re-
garding alleged evidence which has
been found that may be used against
the physician. When asked about the
pepper salt suit which the prosecu-
tion will contend was brought by DR..
Wilkins to tailor to have blood stains
removed, Mr.. Friess said:
"Dr. wilkins told me to-day that it
would have been impossible for him to
get blood stains on his suit the night
was not open He cannot understand
how these tailors came forward and
told such stories about him. 1t must
be case of mistaken identity"
Are you sure that DR.. Wilkins stated
that his coat remained buttoned all
during the struggle ne described as
having taken place when the robbers
of boz r~.t
porter.
Says Coat Was Not Opened
Eyes. He says that his coat was no;
opened at any time. Therefore, how
could the suit be blood stained ?" re
piled the attorney.
Mr.. Friess did not explain, however
how the inside lining of tkc overcoa
came to be bio tanned. DR.. Wilkins
has freq ~, asserted that he die
not reno mis- coat until after hi.
wife had been taken 10 the hospital.
Mr. Friess said that he was going t.
make some move to get possession O,
the Wilkins home at Long Beach
which is now occupied by mon from
the Office Of Mr.. Weeks. He explained
that, as trustee, il was his duty to rem
the house SO az to get some revenue
ave want to put a caretakcr in tht
house" said the attorney. This is th'
time TO rent it for the summer. DR.
Wilkins says that we should ge
81 800 for il during the summer, but
others told ms that 81, 200 would be
about the right rent. I wish TO speai
10 Ar. Weeks about this matter"
VIII Not File 1915 viii
i, The reporter then asked Mr. Fries
about the Wills left by Mrs. WILKINS
The attorney stated that he expected
10 probate. the 1903 will very soon. Ir
answer to questions he said that he
was under the impression that the