New-York tribune., 1922-12-04
Becker Funeral
Postponed for
Poison Autopsy
Authorities Believe WOmaR
May Have Been Drugged
by Husband OH Night of
Death; Tell Result To-day
Arraigned This Morning
Norkin Thought TO Have
Been Promised 800 for
Assistance in the Crime

The funeral OF MS. Aoraham beehei'
whose body was found last week In
lot at i40th Street and Southern Boule-
vard the Bronx. after she had been
missing more than seven months, and
whose husband Is charged with her
murder. was ordered postponed yester-
dav. after friends Of Mrs. Becker had
gathered nt the home Of Mrs. Rcbecea
BALDWIN. 657 linton Avenue, the Bronx,
where the services were &C be held.
Albert Cohn, Assistant District At
torncy In charge Of the investigation,
said the postponement was due TO his
desire 70 have an autopsy performed at
once. rather than run the risk Of having
% exhume the body later. There was
aome suspic.on. he said, that Mis.
Becker was drugged the night Of April
2. when she Crcyc 20 her death with
he- husband.
owe don't want 70 take any chances" I"
said tho prosecutor. There Is some
possibility that Becker drugged his wife
that night. and We have evidence which
POINTS TO the use Of poison. We don't
want 20 be unprepared FOR any such
possibility should It confront Us
later on"
Announce Autopsy Result To-day
DR.. Karl S. Kennard. medical sK-
nminer In the Bronx, performed the
autopsy almost at the hour set for
the funeral. He had the stomach taken
20 Bellevue Hospital for examination
and chemical analysis. The results Of
the autopsy will be made public to-day
ct a conference Of DR.. Kennard's staff.
Aside from the eepoison theory, which
probably will be substantiated or dis
proved promptly, Mr. Cohn and his as
sistants are puzzled chiefly as TO the
motive which impelled Reuben Norkin
% risk death in the electric chair by
helping Becker in the murder.
Assistant District Attorney Cohn
says he does not know what Norkin's
motives actually we're. but that infor-
nation will be brought out az Becker's
trial that Norkin was 20 have received
500 for his part in the murder and
disposal Of the body Of Mrs. Becker in
the lot near Norkin's automobile re
pair shop. Just Why Norkin should
have agreed to assist a friend in a
matter which probably would lead
eventually 20 the electric chair for
the hardly commensurate sum Of 500
is not vet clear 20 the authorities.
They are, however. fairly certain that
more than friendship, as Norkin as
serted. was involved.
Becker Arraignment To-day
Becker is TO be arraigned for plead
ing to-day az 10 a. N. before Judge
Louis ID. Gibbs in the County Court Of
the Bronx. The District Attorney will
ask for his Immediate trial on the
charge OF first degree murder. Norkin,
who 10 being held in default of 100000
bail as . material witness, will be ae-
eused on a similar charge when the
grand Jury next meets. Mr.. Cohn said
the Jury was scheduled 10 meet Thurs
day Of this week, but that an effort
was being made 20 have IL called ear
lier in order 20 press the NOrkin case.
From Norkin's statements in his signed
confession 70 Mr. Cohn the authorities
arc satisfied that there is no third per-
son involved
"Norkin's statements have been cor
roborated." declared Mr.. Cohn, "in 80
far ~ they relate 10 the physical con
ditions OF the body, and in those re.
spects we have no doubt that he was
telling the truth
Neither the District Attorney nor
Mr.. Cohn will call Becker OF Norkin
FOR further examination, being satisfied
with their statements as they now
stand. Becker, said Mr.. Cohn yester-
day, continues 10 accuse Norkin Of the
murder. Norkn told Mr.. Cohn how
Mrs. Becker had exclaimed as she
leaned over the engine of her husbands
car in the dark: "Afy, but this IS a
horrible place" Al that instant, ac-
cording TO Norkin, Becker struck her