The Indianapolis times., 1932-02-04
HIDDEN MOTIVE
IS CHARGED IN
HONOR KILLING
Defense Counsel Questions
Deb'S Reason for Hiring
Own Attorney.
MOTHER HIT BY LOVER
SIapping Incident Admitted
by Rose Allen at
Murder Trial.
BY PAUL Comfy FRENCH
United Press STAFF Correspondent

NORRISTOWN, Pa, Feb. A.
Asserting that there was a hidden
motive behind "her unnatural posi-
ton against ner brother" the de-
tense recalled beautiful Rose Allen,
19-year-old debutante, for further
cross examination when the trial
of her brother, Edward H. B. Allen,
charged with the honor murder"
Of her suitor, Francis A. Donaldson
III, convened today.
Judge Howard G. Knight con-
sented to Roses recall so she might
be questioned on her reasons for
engaging her own attorney, which
defense attorney William T. Con-
nor contended indicated a hidden
interest" behind her testimony.
Connor Immediately objected when
Knight limited the questioning.
I'VE have received a communica-
ton bearing on this case which
we wish to discuss at the bar. 1t
is about Rose, and important" Con-
nor said.
The judge and opposing counsel
then went into a conference beside
the bench out of earShot of the
jury and spectators.
Bearing Is Regal
The conference broke up. Judge
Knight nodded to Rose, who was
sitting inside the inclosure. She
walked forward and sat down in
the witness chair. She was dressed,
as Wednesday, in black. Her bear
ing was regal and she was serene.
AS Rose crossed over to the wit
ness chair she passed close to her
brother, touched his shoulder, said:
Hello, Eddie" He smiled and re-
piled: Hello, Rose"
For the first time since the trial
began Monday, the name of Roses
mother, who died last spring, came
into the proceedings to add to what
is expected to be the defense plea
that Edward killed Francis to vim
dicate the honor of the proud Allen
family, long established in Phila-
delphia's exclusive society.
Slapped Her Mother
Under the pounding of defense at
torney Connor she admitted her
dead lover had slapped her mothers
face and that her mother had re-
sented it.
do you know Leighton P. Strad-
ly Jr.?" Connor demanded.
IT know him, but not we'll" she
answered.
did you tell him that Francis
Donaldson insulted your motller?"
mo, I didn't say Francis insulted
her. I said Francis slapped mother
and she resented it"
Stradly is Philadelphia society
man.
Her testimony was interrupted by
Horace Allen, white-haired and
bent father of Eddie and Rose, who
was seized with a violent and Sus-
tanned fit of coughing. He was as
sisted from the courtroom by
friends.
Seized by Coughing
He began coughing when Helga
Lundgren, the Allen maid, described
having heard Albert G. Lucas, Don
aldson'S friend, say to the elder
Allen: "Are you going to treat your
daughter, Rose, like a daughter, or
like you have been?"
Rose, to all appearances, did not
see her father leave. Eddie watched
him being led out, nervous, wor-
ried look on his face. In an ante
room the father was given stim-
ulant and after a few minutes re-
turned to the courtroom.
The courtroom was crowded with
members of Philadelphia's exclusive
society. Outside in the corridors a
crowd Of several hundred awaited
admittance, attracted by reports
that some time during the day
Horace Allen would appear to &C
cuse the dead Donaldson of betray-
! ing his daughter.