The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-02-20


his words carefully - said the legal
chess game was over; that Haupt-
inann's only chance for life was Of
making a clean breast Of whatever
guilty participation he may have
had In this crime"
That threw the whole case back
into Hoffman's lap. New Jersey
law says he can grant reprieves
totalling 90 days. He already has
used 30 days, and Is not inclined to
grant q further reprive unless new
evidence Is found.
No New Evidence
Leibowitz and Fisher agreed there
wasn't any new evidence.
I'VE have brought home to Haupt.
mann In unmistakable language"
Leibowitz said, "the plight that con.
fronts him. He understands that at
the present moment there Is not
available that newly discovered EVIL
dence that the law demands before
any court Of this state will grant
him q new trial."
Fisher nodded In agreement.
With that Leibowitz washed his
hands Of Hauptmann and took q
train for New York where he has a
phenomenal record for winning
acquittals in homicide cases.
One More Card
Hoffman has one more card 70
play. He is considering appealing
TO DR.. John r. Condor, the Jafsie
Of the ransom negotiations, to come
back from Panama and answer ques-
tions. Specifically, to answer the
question Of why he said at Fleming
| ton that Hauptmann was the only
person involved whereas earlier ne
said he thought gang was involved.
It would be q desperate card but
Hoffman Is ready for a desperate
play, even IL he will not be able TO
explain why he allowed Condor TO
wander through New York and New
England for months and never
evinced any interest In him until
he went to the Canal Zone Tor q
mid.winter vacation.
Strange Scene Enacted
It was q strange scene into when
newspaper men walked last night
on the fourth floor Of q Trenton
hotel.
Leibowitz, Just returned from the
prison after q four-hour struggle
with Hauptmann, had thrown HIM
self on a bed, limp and perspiring.
Lines Of fatigue were heavy on
Fishers face. They ordered dinner,
and Fisher finished with q straw
berry sundae. Then they sent out
word they were ready to talk.
A table cluttered with dinner
dishes was in the center Of the room.
Leibowitz was in his shirt sleeves,
sucking on a stubby pipe. Fisher
sat in an easy chair, his legs
stretched out across the floor and
his eyes dropping.
Lock the door," Leibowitz said.
The lock snapped and there was
a restle of note paper from the half
circle Of newspaper men. Leibowitz
put on his coat long enough for
photographers to take pictures.
Then he asked:
Everybody ready?"
shoot, SAM" was the answer.
Picked His Words
He talked slowly. picking his words
as though they were jewels which
he was going to set into some mo-
mentous pattern. His pipe went
out.
HE (Hauptmann) understands, "
Leibowitz said, that his case has
been fought up to the very highest
tribunal - the supreme court OF
the United States In Washington
and that Mr.. Fisher and Judge Pope
Frederick A. Pope, associate de-
tense counseD have moved heaven
and earth to save him through the
courts.
HE understands very clearly that
his last card :"
Leibowitz paused, wrinkled his
brow, rubbed his hand across his
left eye where a minor blood yes
sci had broken in the heat Of his
argument with Hauptmann.
g.. Has been played" he con-