The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-27
PRIEST SLAIN WITH
17.YEAR.0LD GIRL
BY JEALOUS GROOM
Joseph L. Steinmetz, e, Held
on Double Charge Of Homi-
eide in New York
MARRIED THREE WEEKS AGO
Diocese Issues State m emit;
Father Leonard Suffered
Mental Depression

New York, Nov. T.-(R-Dishev-
eled and apparently on the verge Of
complete collapse. Joseph Lieb Stein
metz, youthful theological student,
was arraigned In homicide court
Tuesday on the charge that he shot
to death his l7-year-old bride and
the Rev. Joseph ]. Leonard. Catholic
priest.
Shortly after he was remanded
without bail for hearing next Mon
day, steinmetx's attorney, Meyer
Machlis. intimated he might use the
''unwritten law" Is . defense for his
client.
Through his attorney, steinmetz
declared he found his bride Of less
than 4 month lin an embarrassing
situation" In the priests hotel room
Monday before he seized . pistol and
slew her and the cleric.
Machlis said Mrs. steinmetz, for
mer dancer in Hollywood, had known
the priest for several days.
II don't want to 60 into that now"
he added.
Bride Wanted Gun
A bizxare twist to the honeymoon
tragedy was given by the attorneys
statement that the slain bride had
urged her husband - purchase the
gun used In the killings.
Mrs. Steinmetx took Q liking to It,"
and Steinmetz bought It for her in
Douglas. Ariz.. Machlis said.
Through his lawyer, Steinmetz, q,
who turned toward the Presbyterian
ministry, denied reports that he and
his bride had not been happy
during their brief welded life. On
the contrary, they were very hap
py." he said.
steinmetz gave this account Of the
shooting and events preceding 1t.
Machlis relayed 1t.
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. Monday morning the three
had three rounds Of highballs. The
priest paid for them.
9teinmetx. never q heavy drink
En-" he explained, got very drunk"
Embarrassing Situation
Machlis said that Steinmetz RE-
membered the priest inviting his
wife to his {the priest'O ROOM" and
he followed them 10 or Is minutes
later.
Steinmetz found his wife and the
cleric lin an embarrassing situation"
said the attorney.
Detective Robert Rehman, who
signed the short affidavit charging
suspicion Of homicide, said the AZ
year-old prisoner had aged 10 years
overnight. steinmetz,s clothes were
wrinkled and he appeared on the
verge OF complete breakdown when
he was arraigned.
The prisoner spent the night In .
cell in police headquarters. He was
taken to the lineup room by two de-
tectives and walked unsteadily to the
rear Of the platform. where prisoners
await their turn for appearance on
the brilliantly-lishted platform.
Topples To Floor
Assisted to z chair. he buried his
face in the upturned collar Of his
overcoat. A moment later he toppled
from the chair.
Detectives carried him downstairs,
hurried through the fingerprinting
and photographing and In = short
time he was en- route to homicide
court.
During the 35-minute wait In the
detention pen until his case was
called, Steinmetx wept continuously.
A detective offered him coffee. but the
prisoner refused, stating he felt Ill
and worried about hts mother.
Assistant District Attorney Max
Weider arraisned the prisoner and
Continued on Page .