The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-12-28
ARNOLD THIELE
LOSES MEMORY
WHEN QUERIED
Claims He Cannot Recall
Shooting Nels R0mer, Man
dams Chief of Police
BACK IN MANDAN JAIL
Alleged Murderer Engages
William LANCER, Bismarck
Attorney. as Counsel

Indications that Arnold Thiele, 42,
travelling salesman who is charged
with staying Chief of Police Ncls H.
Romer on christmas day, when the
officer answered call to the Thiclc
home to stop family row, will fight
Il first degree murder charge de-
vcloped today when Attorney William
LANCER Of this city told States At
torney {. +. kelsch of Morton coun-
ty that he had been retained to rep
resent Thiele.
preliminary hearing probably
will be given Thielc at 8 o'clock We'd
ncsday morning.
Returned to Jail
Thielc is again in the Morton
county Jail. He was brought to the
state penitentiary here Christmas
night for safe keeping when mob vio-
lence was threatened. Monday aft
ernoon he was returned to Mandan
for questioning by the states attor-
ney and Sheriff Charles Mcdonald.
His memory had utterly failed him
concerning amy of the events leading
up to the shooting and after two
hours questioning he was lodged in
the county jail until this morning
when the quizzing was to have been
resumed.
Christmas night and Sunday morn
ing Thiele expressed desire to plead
guilty and "gct it over with as soon
as possible" However, although
sobbing intermittently and under
great strain when questioned Mon
day afternoon, he steadfastly stuck
to his story that he couldn't "rc-
memDer" shooting Chief Romer,
throwing dishes at his wifc.or chasing
her into il nc,ghnor's house. He
stated. however, that ''hc shot ut an
object"
Plans to Stand Trixl-sst
'Thielc previously had said he
wanted to plead guilty" said States
Attorney G. F. kelsch toda4v,- BE
cause Of that expressed intention, he
was taken before the clerk of court,
the oath was administered and we
prepared to take his confession. On
examination he persistently denied
that he remembered any Of the facts
or circumstances preceding or immed-
lately following the killing, except
that he shot at an object 1t was
the desire of the officers to secure
confession If possible to save the
county the expense Of protractcd
trial. Apparently Thielc intends to
plead not guilty and to stand trial.
The state does not intend to make
any concessions. A charge Of mur-
der in the first degree will be filed
at once and Thiele forced to trial.
Other officials declared that I'VE
will see that our Morton county dele
cation in the legislature this coming
session works for reinstatement of
capital punishment such us to fit the
Thiele case
Saw an .Object'
During yesterday afternoons ques-
tioning Thiele declared that he failed
to remember anything about the kill
ing, although the ADMISSION that he
had "seen an object in the doorway
and had shot at it, was drawn from
him.
did you shoot Nels Romer?. ask
cd Mr.. kclsch during the course Of
the testimony.
That's what they tell me-" was the
answer.
Don't you know whether or not
you're guilty." qucred Sheriff
Charles Mcdonald
II must have done something or |
wouldn't be here"
Tell nc, are you guilty or not?'
Mcdonald repeated.
81 know liquor didn't justify me"
Thiele whispered.
"Do you feel that you're guilty or
don't you?" the sheriff reiterated.
Feels Guilty
There was pause. Then Thicle
said: II don't know how to answer
it. feel guilty"
II want to know whether you shot
Nels Romer," said Mr.. kelsch, then
added: "Don't you remember wheth-
er you came out, opened fire and shot
him five times s?''
II can remember shooting at an OBJ
ject." Thiele replied.
you knew it was human being
and whether it was man or wOm-
an. didn't you?"
II don't know was the answer.
Later in the questioning Thiele
broke down again when the point Of
his shooting at an "object" was
brought up. When asked If he had
wanted to kill this "object." Thiclc
wept for few moments and then an
swered: II didn't want to kill him
(Romer)."
Knew R0mer Slightly
In his opening answers the slayer
gave his age as ~ and told how he
had been selling lighting fixtures for
Continued on Daga seven,
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