The Washington times., 1920-08-09

The shooting came IS Climax 10
mad infatuation which Rudolph
Needrit, an interior decorator. had
long nursed for his brother Charles
wife, Mary. And early yesterday.
convinced at last that the woman
would never reciprocate his affection.
he attempted to Kill his brother in
the latter's home, in the basement OF
an apartment house. so he could have
his brothers wife to himself.
Immediately he aimed at Charles
and opened FIRE. Mrs. Needrit
stepped between them. Three bull
let's intended for her husband lodged
in her body. A fourth went wild
The assailant, who was arrested as
he was fleeing from the scene. by
Detective Sergt. Thomas Martin. Of
the homicide bureau. expressed only
one regret-that the heroism of the
little woman had prevented him KILL
ing his brother.
BROKE I2-YEAR SILENCE.
Although he had not meant &c
shoot the woman he loved, he de-
clared he would rather have her dead
than go through life knowing she
did not care for him. For more than
twelve years he had loved her. and,
unable longer to conceal the fact he
broke the long silence and pleaded
that she run away with him.
But the woman, ever faithful to her
trust, turned deaf ear to his en-
treaties. She upbraided him for his
advances and sought to assure him
that she loved her husband and their
eleven-year-old girl. Martha. so much
that no other man could ever enter
her life.
Twelve years ago in a little town
ho nIaVed fhN
game of love agains, each other for
the hand of the pretty, dark-haired
girl destined to later become one OF
the principals in yesterdays tragedy.
! Charles. now thirty-eightt, six years
| his brothers junior, won her They
were married and came to this coun-
try, where Martha was born a year
later.
Charles earned good living as a
painter. and he and his wife lived
happily. But a year after their ar
rival here Rudolph came over and
made his home with them. The affec-
ton he showed the young wife was
regarded as purely platonic. as that
between brotherin-law and sister
| in-law. and there was no suspicion
that his love was anything more than
il should be.
LOVE NEVER DIMMED.
Several years ago he married, but
the love he felt for his sister-in-law
never dimmed. His wife died six
months ago. Then II was he told her
that he had loved her all these years.
He had tried to put her out of his
life and even entered into loveless
marriage, he said, but to no avail.
Time and time again she resented
his advances and finally informed her
husband. The brothers auarrelled,
but the elder one fatty told Charles
that he was madly in love with his
wife and had been since the days
they both courted her in Russia.
On Saturday, Mrs. Needrit received
registered letter from her brother
in-law imploring her to flee with him
to California. That night he appeared
at the apartment house and entreated
the woman to leave with him. The
husband ordered him out OF the house,
and as he departed, he turned and
| said:
"I'll go now, but I'll be back again
and get you"
Early yesterday he returned and,
drawing revolver, as he entered. he
shouted:
Now I've got you"
He pulled the trigger, but the car
fridge didn't explode. As he pulled
the trigger again, Mrs. Needrit
sprang between them.
COULDN'T HELP LOVING HER.
Firing in rapid succession, he sent
two bullets into the woman's chest
and a third into her abdomen. Then
he fed from the house and was
cought by Detective Martin, who lives
in an adjoining apartment, and had
been aroused by the shots. Calmly
he asid to the detective, who found
the revolver concealed in his sleev' :
well I'm glad it's all over. !
hope Mary has not suffered much.
but I didn't mean to harm her. /
just wanted to get my brother. II
I had TO do IL over again I wouldn't
hesitate, rs 7 simply couldn'i stand
this any longer. l just couldn't Aelp