The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-08
KIDNAP LADDER
STIRS DRAMATIC
COURT BATTLE
States Hopes of COnviCting
Hauptmann Rest on
Ownership.
Continued From Page One)

kidnap ladder and with a ladder
taken from the Lindbergh garage.
Before he left the stand, the state
had proved that the kidnap ladder
had been placed against the side
of the Lindbergh home; that it had
left marks on the wall, below the
window, where the top piece had
scraped away some of the paint.
1t ha dproved that it would have
been possible for a kidnaper to en-
ter the Lindbergh nursery in the
manner the state charges Haupt-
mann did, for Lieutenant Sweeney
gave the jury picture of how he, a
l80-pound man, climbed into the
nursery from the Lindbergh ladder,
and did it easily" stepping over
suitcase that had been placed by
the window exactly as it was on the
night of the kidnapping.
In cross examination, Mr.. Reilly
brought from Lieutenant Sweeney
the admission that when he crawled
through the window from the ladder,
he had to use both hands, the infer
ence being that it would have been
impossible to carry baby out Of
the nursery and down the ladder.
The aged Mr.. Hockmuth was
called after technical testimony by
police experts who had visited the
nursery of the stolen baby on the
night of the kidnapping. They failed
/ t0 GY,I or1tr
Counsel Edward j. Reilly had beer.
caustic in his criticism of their
failure to find even the prints of
| the Lindbergr household.
Ladder Is Key Point
The state today had reached q
crucial point in its prosecution Of
Hauptmann. 1t will attempt this
afternoon to prove that the ladder
used by the kidnaper and murderer
of the Lindbergh baby is his hardi-
work. Success will bring the taci-
turn German carpenter close to the
electric chair. Failure will mate
rally weaken the states hopes Of
obtaining a conviction.
This afternoon a long parade Of
WitneSSes-policemen, wood experts,
carpentry experts, tool experts-by
whom the state hopes to prove be-
You'd doubt that Hauptmann was
maker, we're to be called.
The state yesterday began its task
of proving that the ladder was used
by the man who crept into the
Lindbergh nursery and stole the
baby, and first will complete that
task. Once that point is estab-
liShed, it will undertake to enmesh
Hauptmann in its construction.
Should the state establish Haupt-
mann as the ladders maker, it
would be the strongest evidence yet
obtained against him, stronger than
Col. Charles A, Lindbergh's identif1-
cation of his voice as that of the
mysterious "John" who collected
$4,000 ransom, stronger even than
the identification of DR.. John F.
Condor, who paid the ransom, will
make this week.
Reilly Ready for Battle
It definitely would link Haupt-
mann with the major crime itself
the kidnapping and the murder
whereas the identifcations merely
link him with the crime of extor-
ton.
Mr.. Reilly, Hauptmann's chief
counsel, came into court deter
mined to fight the ladder evil
dence to the last ditch. His cross
examination of the ladder witnesses.
particularly Arthur Koehler, De-
partment of Agriculture wood ex-
pert, who will bear the load of the
states contentious, was expected to
be more than usual bitter. He dis
played some of that bitterness in
opposing its admission.
Mr.. Wilentz said today the "a.
pidity with which the major wit
nesses-Col. Charles A. Lindbergh,
Mrs. Lindbergh and Betty Cow
have been disposed of indicates the
entire trial will last a month, per-
hapS less.