The New York herald., 1922-10-25
CLINE SAYS BERCIN
TRIED TRICK IN DUEL
Testifies Hand Was Caught by
Actor Prior to Agreed
Signal.
CASE WILL END TODAY
Aspcrsion of Woman and Not
Wife's Confession Led to
Challenge.
CASE WILL END TO-DAY

The testimony OF George Cline. mo-
tion picture location manager; Charles
Scullion and Miss Alice Thornton, on
trial in Hackensack charged jointly
with the murder of Handsome Jack"
Bergin, film actor, and the testimony
of Mrs. Cline In behalf of her hus-
band. brought the case yesterday to
point that will permit it's being given
to the jury Of six women and six men
to-day. A verdict is expected before
nightfall.
When the court adjourned at 4
O'Clock yesterday 20 permit the jurors
to be taken for an inspection OF the
Cline home in Edgewater. where Ber-
relations with Mrs. Cline, attorneys
for the defense announced that only
character witnesses remain TO testify.
1t was said arguments probably will
be completed In time for the jury to be
charged before the morning recess.
Assistant Prosecutor Mccarthy and
State Senator W. II. Mackay chief OF
the defense counsel. accompanied the
Jurors to the Cline home and conductci
them over the premises. pointing out
places connected with the story of the
killing Particular attention was paid
e. the room where the duel took
place. The jurors were taken again
last night TO hotel in Hackensack. the
six women in charge of a poiicewoman
and the men guarded by court officers
Aroused by Berxin's Word.
The charge by Bergin that all women
we're common buns" including his
mother and two sisters and not the
information that his wife had been as
saulted by the actor, was what infuri-
ated Cline to a proposal of duel. the
finn director declared on the witness
stand yesterday.
Prosecutor A. G. Hart asked Cline
or cross-examination why he did not
irvite Bergln upstairs Immediately after
Mrs Cline's confession, instead OF walt
ing until Bergin said. "All women are
common buns"
Cline leaned forward. raped on the
railing OF the witness box and said
sharply:
"I've got mother and two sisters"
The defense based its plea for the ac-
quittaI OF Cline who is regarded as the
principal defendant. on the grounds that
h, shot Bergin both in self defense and
In accordance with the "unwritten law
wife Goes on stand.
Mrs Mamie clina. wife of the de-
fendant, was the last witness called yes
tcrday. She cried continuously during
her testimony and frequently looked
toward her two children. who played
on a bench in front Of the courtroom
oblivious OF the sorrow OF their parents.
Mrs. Cline told OF her trip 10 Saranac
Lake and OF the alleged attack upon
her by Bergin after nc had stupefied
her with liquor.
rs IL true that you admitted Bcrgin
tn your room IN the hotel after the at
tack?" she was asked.
"Ycs." she answered, 'he came into
my room to urge me not to go on trip
into the country"
ION one occasion did you say. For
Gods sake Jack, get out beforce some
one sees your" the Prosecutor asked,
referring TO the testimony OF William
III. McNanus of Saranac Lake. riding
instructor, who said he heard Mrs. Cline
make this plea when he called to give
her n riding lesson.
YES" Mrs. Cline answered
Cline was called to the stand shortly
after noon and gavo a dramatic recital
Of events leading up to the shooting
When he reached the scene In the house
as he started up the stairs with Bergin
he broke down.
II never dreamed that Jack would
harm me In any way" Cline said. He
said the first intimetion he had OF the
alleged wrong TO his wife was when
Miss Thornton told him at a dance not
TO be too sure OF Bergins friendship.
Cline said tho inslnuatlon OF the girl
preyed upon his mind until finally he
asked his wife what Miss Thornton had
meant. But Mrs. Cline pretended not
TO know, and then Cline said he began
taking Miss Thornton TO dinners to
question her. learning sufficient TO ac-
clse hts wifi. directly and TO arrange
Continued on Page Two.
WHITE slnYUlH SPRlNtss--tslortous nov