The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-01-30

yet the crime of the Hopewell hills
still occupies the attention of more
than a score of Investigators
with the purpose to show that
Bruno Richard Hauptmann did not
kill Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr.
Their time to prove theory that
runs counter to jury verdict and
to the decisions of the States high
est court remains short. The 80
day reprieve from electrocution
which Governor Harold G. Hoffman
issued January 16 draws nearer ex-
piration.
When Hauptmann was arrested
in September, 1884, the investiga-
ton forces flung into the case in
cluded the New Jersey State and
New York City police, supplement-
ed by the Department of Justice.
Have Single Aim
Today the investigators are con-
corning themselves not so much
as did the others-with solution
of the crime, as with proving de-
tense contentious that Hauptmann
did not kidnap and kill the famous
flyers son.
A variety of theories is actuating
the present inquiries. They range
from Governor Hoffman's express
ed belief that Hauptmann-guilty
or innocent-could not have been
alone in the crime, to the firm con-
viction of Burlington County De-
teStive Ellis Parker that Haupt-
mann is guiltleSS.
One corps of Investigators seven
men and two women-is working
under the direction of Washing
ton criminologist, Lieut.. Robert w.
Hicks. His headquarters are in the
Bronx, N. Y, home the Haupt-'
MAINS occupied at the time of the
carpenters arrest; the property on
which more than $4,000 in ransom
money was found.
Others Enter Probe
Besides Hicks, whose investiga-
ton is privately financed and I'M
official, there are investigations I'M
der way by Governor Hoffman him
self; by Parker, the pipe-smoking
county detective; by Hauptmann's
ive-man counsel; and by individu-
al, independent investigators.
None of the investigations, not
even that of the Governor, can be
called official. Neither the Office of
the attorney general or the head
quarters of the State police are
participating. Each holds the case
has been solved, that Hauptmann
is guilty, and that he worked with
out confederates.
At least two of the investigations
are now directed along the assump-
ton that the corpus deficit" was
not that of the Lindbergh baby.
Both Hicks in New York and Par
ker at Mt. Holly quarrel sharply
with the prosecution on that point.
Jafsie Story Questioned
Governor Hoffman, as indicated
by his occasional discussions of the
case, isn't satisfied with the testi-
mony of DR.. John F. Condor
Jafsie-and others whose testimony
provided the prosecution with
heavy ammunition. The Governor
also has given ear to rumbles OF
rumor that Hauptmann may have
been dragged forth as a victim" to
satisfy public clamor for solution OF
the crime.
One volunteer investigator, Sam
uel Small, a professional penman,
is continuing RS effort to impress
his point that Hauptmann could
not have written the ransom
notes.
Mrs. Anna Hauptmann, the con-
demned mans wife, also is pursu-
ing an investigation of her own.
Her lawyers are understood to be
planning a new attack upon the
States evidence, and new appeal
to the court of pardons for commu-
tation of Hauptmann's sentence.
Many persons have urged that
Hauptmann be given the "lie de-
tector" test. The prisoner has ex-
pressed a willingness to submit to
it. Governor Hoffman, however, is
not certain that such test would
have any legal standing.
In recent statements, interviews
and letters, Hoffman indicated his
doubts might be found in these