New-York tribune., 1920-05-11
Killed Policeman.
Says Youth Who
Is Called Deranged
Facts Fail to Uphold the
Lads Confession Over
Bronx Murder; Uncle
Tells of Mental Trouble

Benz jamin Zeimer twenty-one wears
old' western Union messenger, of
"l4 Prospect Avenue, the Bronx, who is
described by his uncle as deranged
walked into the Bathgate Avenue police
station yesterday and confessed to
Captain Andrew Wines, of the Seventh
Branch Detective Bureau, that he had
Killed Patrolman Henry Immen on the
morning ct February p last The
patrolman was shot to death after sur
prislng men who had robbed canteen
operated by Philip Moskowitz, at Balm
bridge Avenue and Gun Hill Road. the
bnonX, opposite Base Hospital No. /.
Police had been prosecuting vipor
our search for the slayer of Immcn and
rad uncovered some evidence that was
looked upon as extremely important.
The search was still on when Zeimcr
confessed.
few hours aftcr the confession
BENJAMIN Schocnwald, the onwncr of
cate and restaurant at 914 Prospec: {:
avenue, Zelmer's pncle. entered the
st~tion house and told the police that
ms nephew was "stupid" and branded
the confession Of the murder as ridcu-
lous.
Zeimer walked into the police station
shortly after noon and asked to see a
detective. Lieutenant Samuel Beatty
was at the desk. In the detective room
a conference was going on between
Captain Wines, Captain Harry Duane,
of the Eighth Branch Detective Bureau,
and Detective Sergeants Frank Pickett
and James Riley Lieutenant Beatty
conducted Zeimer to this room
MY conscience is bothering me-"
I
got to confess"
What have YOU to confcsso" asked
Captain Wines.
~ Killed Officer lmmen," he replied.
The detectives jumped to their feet.
Lelmer, with the collar Of long navy
coat turned straight up partially con
ceallng his face, was expressionless
he was waived to a seat
Upon being questioned, he said that
on the afternoon of the day before the
murder was committed he was deliver
ing message when he met a strange
man. The two convcrsed and agreed
to meet again at eight O'Clock that
night opposite police booth at Gun
Hill Road and Webster Avenue They
met and Zeimer said the details of a
plan to rob Moskowitz's cantecn were
confided to him. Then, he said. the
stranger handed him one of two re-
volvers and later they went to the place
mentioned.
There, Zeimer said, they were sur
prlsed by lmmen, at whom he fired five
shots. He added they then went to Je.
rome Avenue and boarded a surface car
! TO l49th Street where they parted. He
has not seen the stranger since, he
said. He declared he threw the re-
volver away, and mentioned three
places where he might have thrown it,
A policeman was sent to each, but none
was found.
Although Zeimers version of the
murder agrees with that told in the
newspapers, it does not correspond
with facts unearthed by the police. ac-
cording to Captain Wines. Zcimcr said
he fired the shots at 9 o'clock. while
nurse in the Montetore Home de-
cared she heard shots at l:15 a. m.
Zeimer's uncle told the police the
prisoner, who was locked up in the
Bathgate Avenue station on a charge
of homicide, served aboard the cruiser
Charleston and was discharged because
of his nervous condition. He added that
the youth was reserved and appeared
to be ashamed to let people see him
on the streets. For that reason liz,
always wore his ovcrcoat collar turnct {.
up, he said.