The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-03-20
.BECkMAN CASE
TO JURY TODAY
Testimony Replete With
Thrills for Court Fans
Closes at IL 80.
HEAR FINAL SUMMARY
Attorney Stephenson Battles
to Break Down States
Surprise Witness.

Surprise followed surprise in rapid
succession as witnesses testified for
the state and defense during the clos
ing hours of the trial of Frederick
Beckman, prominent clubman and mu-
stefan, in the circuit court before
Judge e. B. Belden and jury COM
posed of men.
Beckman is charged with a serious
statutory offense against Gertrude
Brick, who was formerly employed
as a nurse maid in the Beckman home.
The girl charges that Beckman is
the father of her daughter, born on
January 9, 1928
Indications are that the case will go
to the jury late this afternoon As
sistant District Attorney Lewis Powell
began his closing argument to the
jury for the state at 1880 this morn
ing and resumed when court again
convened following the noon recess.
Attorney Roy S. Stephenson, who
has been staging a brilliant defense
for the accused man, yesterday after
noon played series of trump cards.
The reason for insisting that the girl
definitely fix the dates of the two as
saults, which she said occurred on
April II and % of 1922, was brought
out when Beckman took the stand IN
his own defense.
Beckman testified that the girl left
on March goth and that she did not
return until the following August. In
support of this he produced account
books showing payments made to her.
He was followed by Mrs. Sadie Wag-
ner, who stated that she had been
employed there as nurse for the chill
dren on two afternoons in March. This
line of testimony was further cor
roborated by Mrs. Beckman, wife of
the defendant, and by her sister, Mrs.
Donald Cross.
Morris Barnett, district attorney,
shot a bolt into this testimony this
morning shortly before the closing of
testimony, when he put Mrs. Anna
Molter, of 456 Grover street, on the
stand for the state. Mrs. Molter tes-
tilted that she could state positively
that she had seen Gertrude at the
Beckman home on the day before
Easter. and proceeded to tell of a
conversation which she had had with
the girl.
Her testimony, which was later
verified by her husband, had a telling
effect upon the jury.
Never once, during the time she was
on the stand under direct examination
by Mr.. Barnett was she in doubt. Her
answers to the questions shot at her
in rapid succession by the prosecutor
were answered instantly and without
the slightest hesitation. She was one
of the states strongest witnesses.
Under cross examination by Mr..
Stephenson it was brought out that
there had been considerable feeling
between herself and the Beckman
family. This is a measure destroyed
the value of her story to the pro-
secution. The instant she was turned
over to him for examination the de-
Tense attorney laid down barrage
of questions, and his voice shook
slightly with emotion.
Under the questioning of Mr.. Bar
nett the woman stated that she had
known Mrs. Beckman since 1911, and
that she had known Gertrude since
1922. Carefully the district attorney
lead up to the question as to whether
she had seen the girl there during
April and May of 1922, the time chat
Beckman had testified she was not
in his employ.
Q-Was she employed there in
April and May of 1922?
A-She was.
Q--Can you remember any partic-
ular occasion?
Ayes. was going to Racine for
Easter to visit my granddaughter and
was passing the house with my hus-
band, who was carrying my suitcase
to the 300 o'clock North Shore train.
Gertrude was sweeping the front steps
and she asked me if / was going to see
little June. / told her that / was and
that / had June's Easter presents in
the grip which my husband was car
rying. Then ! saw her when / re-
turned, and she asked me how June
liked her presents.
Q-Can you now swear, Mrs. Mol
ter, that Gertrude was in the en-
ploy of the Beckmans during April
and May Of 1922?
AL can.
Q-When did she leave their en-
ploy?
A-Semetime during the latter part
of May, think. l remember that
Gertrude called my attention to an
automobile with four boys in it which
she said she thought looked like a
stolen car. This car later proved to
have been stolen and the boys were
arrested A boy who was living at
nv house was sent to the reforma-