Evening star., 1934-11-27
BRIDE AND PRIEST
SLAIN BY HUSBAND
17-Year-OId ShoWgirI and
Clergyman Shot Down
in Hotel Room.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, November 81
Dishevelled and apparently on the
verge of complete collapse. Joseph
Lieb Steinmetz, youthful theological
student, was arraigned in Homicide
Court today on the charge that he
shot to death his 17-year-old bride
and the Rev Joseph j. Leonard
Catholic priest.
Shortly after he was remanded
without bail for a hearing next Mon
day. SteinmetZ's attorney, Meyer
Machlis, intimated he might use the
'.unwritten law" as a defense for his
client.
Through his attorney. Steinmetz
declared he found his bride of less
than a month in an embarrassing
situation" in the priests hotel room
yesterday before he seized pistol and
slew her and the cleric.
Machlis said Mrs. Steinmetz. former
dancer in Hollywood, had known the
priest for several days.
IT don't want to go into that now, "
he added
Irged 10 buy OuH.
A bizarre twist to the honeymoon
tragedy was given by the attorney S
statement that the slain bride had
urged her husband to purchase the
gun used in the killings.
Mrs. Steinmetz took a liking to 1t, :
and Steinmetz bought it for her in
Douglas, Ariz., Machlis said.
Through his lawyer. Steinmetz. %.
who turned toward the Presbyterian
ministry, denied reports that he and
his bride had not been happy during
their brief welded life. On the con-
trary. they were very happy" he said.
Steinmetz gave this account OF the
shooting and events preceding 1t.
Machlis relayed it.
He and his wife met the priest, who
was chaplain of home for the aged
In Lawrenceville, N. j., Sunday night
in the knights of Columbus Hotel.
Yesterday morning the three had three
rounds of highballs. The priest paid
for them.
Steinmetz. never "heavy drinker,
he explained. got very drunk
went 10 fTItSl > hUOihs
Machlis said that Steinmetz ire
membered the priest inviting his wife
to his (the priests room),' and he
followed them 10 or Is minutes later.
Steinmetz found his wife and the
cleric "in an embarrassing situation,
said the attorney.
Then according to Machlis' ac-
count. everything went black in front
Of Steinmetz. he snatched the pistol
from the priests coat pocket. where II
had been placed for safekeeplng, and
''blazed away"
The girl had been shot four times,
the priest once.
Steinmetz said that the girls fa;he-
was present when he married her last
November 10 in Tia Juana. Mexico
To the official who performed the cere-
monv the bride gave her stage name OF
Ruth T. Tiles.
Asserts Love for Wife.
Machlis said Steinmetz expressed
sorrow for the Staying and asserted his
love for his wife.
Detective Robert Rehman today
quoted SteinmetZ as haVlng Salo tilat
if he had chance he would join his
dear wife and the priest in a few
days. At the detectives suggestion,
Cornelius Hazel, prison keeper. re-
moved the prisoners belt, necktie and
the belt of his overcoat.
Steinmetz frightened somewhat
after recurrent fits of weeping, and
asked for morning newspapers. TWO
or three were supplied and he read
them, weeping as he did SO.
Assistant District Attorney Saul
Price, who questioned the prisoner
yesterday, had a conference today
with District Attorney William C.
Dodge and announced shortly after
ward that he would present the case
to the grand jury today Meantime
Dodge thought it unwise to disclose
data his office had assembled.
Machlis said his client had asked
TO see rabbi.