The New York herald., 1922-12-23
Prisoner, Unmoved as at
Trial, Hears Words Con-
demning Him to Chair.
DENIED ALL UNTIL LAST
Coldly and Internationally
Slayer Answered Questions
of Prosecutor.

Abraham Becker was found guilty
OF murder in the first degree by
jury before Judge Louis d. Gibbs IN
THE Bronx County Court at 1850
o'clock this morning. The jury had
deliberated exactly cifty minutes. 1t
was just twenty three days ago that
the body of Beckers wife, Jennie, was
1ound buried in an old boiler pit in The
Bronx. The evidence showed that she
had been struck on the head and
stuffed into the hole and covered at
least an hour before she died.
When Becker was led into the
courtroom early this morning TO hear
the verdict he displayed the same lack
OF emotion that has characterized his
attitude throughout the trial. He said
set features to Indicate what he may
have felt. His counsel made the usual
motion that the verdict be dismissed.
The judge denied the motion. Becker
WALL bt SCiltl2Nc0 ll-Al 4 Uc6NAJ iAlOA
ing to die in the electric chair.
Before the Jury had retired early to-day
Alexander Mayper. counsel for Becker,
took two hours In summing up his
case. He attacked the testimony of
Harry Monstein, a witness for the peo-
pie, characterizing II as the testimony
Of stool pigeon and a tissue OF In
sidious lies. witness of Monstein's
character would say anything, he told
the jury He closed with an appeal that
the Jury have consideration for the
eour children of Becker who would be
without q father In case Of his execu-
ton.
Becker was on the stand virtually ali
CT the morning ami afternoon sessions.
The time occupied by his examination
and cross examination totaled about six
hours. In not an instance did he appear
shaken or unnerved. Assistant District
Attorney COINS grilling cross examina-
ton failed to pierce his stolidity.
Didn't you pay NorlSirNS100 for kill
ing your w!fe?" asked Attorney Cohn.
Denies Paying for killing.
No replied 1e defendant. without
finching. With the same Indifference
ne took In his hands and examined the
hair presented by the prosecutor as
that of Jennie Becker. Asked IL II was
his wife's hair. he replied:
II can't tell II It is. not exactly; It's
TOO dark"
Then he was confronted by clothing
alleged to have been worn by Mrs.
Becker on the night she was killed. He
looked at the coat, sweater and dress
with indifferent eyes and a face like
marble. He said the coat might look
like hers" but denied 1t was his wifes
sweater.
who killed your wife?' demanded
the prosecutor.
II don't know" said Becker.
Who do you think killed herr"
Fl don't think anything. I don't
know" replied the witness.
Confronted with two score OF ques-
tons and answers that the prosecution
presented as part OF q conversation with
Becker In the District Attorneys office
on November 2s and 20. Becker denied
one after another.
He denied saying Nork,n killed his
wife; he denied knowing where Mrs.
Becker was buried. He said he did
not take his wife to Norkin's welding
shop on the night OF April 6.
did you love your wifeT" asked the
prosecutor.
Eyes" replied the defendant.
did you love her dearly?"
Life wife," said Becker. IT loved
her oil tho time"
Says lie Loves Both.
did you love Anna elias, too7"
II think / did" said Becker; ~ loved
them both"
Becker testified he was slapped in the
face by Detective James McCartin IN
the District Attorneys office on
Thanksgiving Day, and said he found
blood clot in his right eye later.
Attorney Cohn asked Becker If he
had seen his wife struck on the head
and II he had helped to bury her. He
answered No"
At this point Attorney Mayper oh.
Jectcd to the gyratlons INDUCED In by
the District Attorney. Judge Gibbs
ruled that the objection made by coun-
sci for the defense was ''out OF order
and uncalled for"
"And you loved your wife?" asked
the prosecutor, dramatically. in conclu.
sion.
"I always did," were Becker's last
words before leaving the stand.
During the cross examination Bccke,
admitted no was arrested IN Woon
aocket. r. l.. In 1920. charged with fall
ing 20 stop after he had killed a mar
while driving his automobile. lie DC
MED having stolen lumber from the EN-
plre Fireproof Door Company lug
March. and denied other thefts charged
against him BY the prosecution.
After occupying the stand all day en-
man charged with The Bronx pit nur
der stepped down with his iron de
neanor mistaken.