Arizona republican., 1920-11-26
CHECK HEARING ]. MURDER CHARGE. TO BEGIN TODAY
Couple Is Accused of Brutal and Inhuman Treatment of Husbands Father-A Hard Legal Battle Is Ex- pected.

With everything In readiness. the preliminary hearing of Victor Check and his wife, Belle Check. charged with murder in connection with the death of T. J. Check, father of Victor Check, on the night of Nov. 13, will be- gin at g: 30 o'clock this morning in the court of Charles DeSales Wheeler in the East Phoenix justice precinct. The preliminary hearing is expected to last longer than a week.
 The charges against the Checks arise from the death of Thomas J. Check in an automobile enroute from tho home of Mrs. Minnie Wolf, 644 East Lynwood street, to the home of the Checks at the New Haven aaprt- ments. $50 North Fifth avenue. At the inquest held following the death, neighbors of the Checks at the apart ments testified to hearing blows struck fin the Check apartment and to hearing the elder MT. Check pleading for mercy. The autopsy held over the body disclosed bruises on the left side of the head. pr. w. O. Sweek, one of the physicians conducting the autopsy, testified at the inquest.
 Many to Testify
 In preparation for the hearing, about 100 additional seats have been placed in the court room of Justice Wheeler to accommodate the large number of witnesses and those inteersted in the hearing. It is stated that the state s witnesses number more than 30 per sons. l.. M. Laney, county attorney, win conduct the prosecution, and the Checks will be defended by Stockton & Ward of Phoenix and Edward Roo ney of Topeka, Kan, who has been sent to Phoenix to assist with the de- fense by friends of the Checks at Topeka
 The complaints against the Cheeks were filed by MT. Laney and charge each of them separately. Both are al- legged to have assaulted T. J. Check with intent to hasten his death. and both are alleged to have neglected tc provide T. J. Check with medical at- tention- The complaint specifically charges that Victor Check. with the intent to effect and hasten the death of T. J. Check, did inflict certain mor- tai wounds upon his person which caused the death of T. !. Cheek Both Victor and Belle Check are charged in the complaints with the murder ol their father. Belle Check is no charged with inflicting any mortal wounds upon T. J. Check.
 To Contest Any VIII
 Following the death of Thomas J Check, aged 77, a nasty investigation was made by the authorities, with th' result that both Victor and Bell' Check were arrested on warrant charging them with aggravated as sault. After the coroner's inquest thu last charges were filed. The coroner jury returned a verdict that death wal the result of brutal and inhuman treat ment at. tSe hands of Victor and Belle Check
 George W. c. McCarter of New Brunswick. N. J., representing Mrs Ethel Check Porter, sister of Victo Check, has arrived in Phoenix to star a contest should a will of T. J. Chec be filed in the superior court here fo probate. Mir McCarter said he woul attend the preliminary hearing as spectator only and would not assist | any way with the prosecution MI McCarter said that Mrs. Porter neve had been able to secure the local ad dress of her father and always sent he letters to Topeka to be forwarded Phoenix
 Both Victor and Belle Check wer released under bonds following the arraignment. It was stated that complete defense would be put on b the counsel for the Checks at the pro lsminary hearing in an effort to refut tho charges. The charges ,accordin to the counsel for the nefendant arise from neighborhood gossip.