Evening star., 1936-04-24
Defense Continues Efforts
to Prove Slain Bride
Pressed Attentions.
WANTED AFFAIR TO END,
/. IS CONFlDANT'S BELIEF
willie Mae Had Been Great Bur-
den on Me-" Friend Told at
Time of Wedding.
BY WILLIAM S. TARVER.

CNell d1UCl 1lCI IlloIAid idSC " AAAN AfAoN
Wood visited the Culpeper, Va, un-
dertaking establishment of her ST.
year old former suitor, William H.
Reaguer, now on trial in District Su-
preme Court for her murder, witness
testified today.
This information was elected by
Defense Attorney James A. O'Shea
in the course of an effort begun yes
terday to show Mrs. Wood forced her
attentions on Reaguer after her mar
riage to a youthful Virginia Highway
Commission employe.
Allan Rosenthal, Culpeper mer-
chant, told the jury he saw MRS.
Wood come out of Reaguer's funeral
establishment about am. October
IL. the morning before she was found
with her head almost severed with
pocketknife in a downtown Washing
ton hotel room.
Other Visits Testified.
In response to persistent inquiries,
Rosenthal said he saw Mrs. Wood at
Reaguer's place a number of times.
Julian Brown, automobile salesman
and friend of Reaguer for l3 or IA
years, said the defendant confided in
him 1T certainly was relief that
Willie Mae was married" and his af-
fair had been a strain on him for a
long time.
At the conclusion of Browns testi-
mony, the trial was adjourned until
Monday to permit Reaguer'S attor-
ney's to confer with allenlStS by
whose testimony they hope to prove
the defendant insane.
To Rest Case.
When the defense psychiatrists fin
fish testifying. OShea and his asso-
ciates are expected to rest their case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ir-
win Goldstein and Cecil r. Hef1in
stated, however. they expect to offer
rebuttal pSychiatric evidence.
Both Rosenthal and Capt. John L.
Jeffries, Culpeper lawyer, testified they
felt a definite change in mentality
came over Reaguer about 1882 and his
mind was unsound.
Crowd Laughs at Query.
The crowded court room was
thrown into laughter by remark by
Rosenthal, who had just testified that
the undertaken contended he had
purchased a pair of Suspenders at
Rosenthal's store when he had not
done so.
Couldn't it have been you who
forgot?" inquired Prosecutor Gold
stein.
mo, sir" emphatically responded
the witness. When I ring up 25
cents on the cash register, I remem:
Der about il"
An effort was made by defense coun-
sci to prove by DR.. Joseph L. Gilbert,
chief psychiatrist of Gallinger Hos
pital, that a spinal puncture under
gone by Reaguer at the hospital was
for the purpose of relieving pressure
on his brain.
The physician denied this, however,
saying the spinal fluid was tapped
merely to secure material for routine
examination.
Although basing their case on an
insanity plea, defense attorneys are
relying heavily on the impression Gre
ated in the minds of the jury by
letters in which Willie Mae professed
her affection for Reaguer, begged him
for money for a car ard said she was
tired of married life.
O'Shea fixed the date of the first
letter as October Z, II days after Mrs.
Woods marriage and five days before
she was killed.
Text of Note Is Read.
Hello, DEAR" the note began. Game
up this morning to get my tooth. Sure
wish I could have seen you, but Her
bert was with me. I will be able to
60 to Washington either Wednesday
or Thursday, so if you possibly can
leave enough money with Mama for
the down payment. or as much as
you want to pay. The first payment
will be about $50. I won't be able to
see you before then, and that will be
the only chance will have to 60 to
D. c.
After they get the car, I will be
able to see you real often. Will be
ready to 60 either Wednesday or
Thursday. Hope you will be able to
get the money. Be good and think
of me until I see you. Tonight is
good ole Monday night. Wish you
could be here so I could be with you.
"Bye, darling. WILLIE"
Next Letter October 8.
The jury was told that the next
letter was written october 9. It read:
Dear darling: Where on earth
were you yesterday? drove around
I know so times. wanted to see you
80 bad. I am tired of this married
life. Could you possibly get the first
payment on the car by tomorrow? It
will be about $50. Herbert is going
to sell his car and won't have any
way to get up there to see you. If you
can give me another car I will leave
it at home and Mama can drive down
and get me every evening after Her
bert leaves. Please, darling, give me
another car, cause you know love
you as much as ever. If you really
want to see me, you will do this once
more. Mama is going to come to
Washington tomorrow, and if you give
her the money I will meet her at
Fairfax and drive it back, then I will
be able to see you. This is the last
time that I am going to ask you.
know you will do it for me and I
won't have to ask you any more. Hope
to see you real soon, dear.
Love always. WILLIE"