Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-10-19
First Cakes Witness
Tells Of Events Just
Prior 10 Murder
By the Associated Press.

DS VIC hSsoSldltn BTeSS.
NASSAU, Bahamas, Oct. 10
A ,housemaid told today how she
innocently provided the insecti-
eide used by Sir Harry Cakes
murderer in an unsuccessful at
tempt to burn the millionaire's
body after he was beaten to
death in a bedroom of his sea-
side estate last July.
Mabel Ellis, domestic at the Cakes
estate. was the first witness called
as the trial of Alfred de Marigny,
the son-in-law charged with killing
Cakes, went into the second day.
She repeated the story she had told
earlier at preliminary hearing.
Seated in the barred prisoners
dock, De Marigny wore one of the
three ties bought by his wife Nancy,
Sir Harry's eldest daughter, espe-
clally for his courtroom appear
anceS.
Jurors frequently consulted a
floor plan of Westbourne as the wit
ness told of the events at the RAM
bling home before she left about
IL pm. She said she served dinner
to Sir Harry and three guests, and
left them laughing and talking over
game of Chinese checkers when
she went home.
Left Spray Gun in Room.
Before leaving, she said. she had
prepared Sir Harry's bed and placed
inside the door spray gun con-
tanning about half a pint of insecti-
eide. 1t was this inflammable
liquid which the slayer used in an
attempt to burn the bed and body,
apparently with the thought of hid
ing the crime.
One of the guests, she declared,
was Harold G.. Christie, who re-
manned overnight at Westbourne
and found Sir Harrys body the
next morning.
Questioning by Chief Justice Sir
Oscar Bedford drew the informa-
ton that there is bedchamber and
bathroom between the rooms occu-
pied by Sir Harry and Mr.. Christie
First fireworks of the trial were
expected with the testimony of Mr..
Christie, who was to follow the
maid to the stand.
De Marigny leaned forward and
watched closely when the maid
identified a figured paper bed screen
which she said stood in Cakes
chamber near his bed.
Case Hinges on Fingerprint.
II was on this screen that the
crown alleges fingerprint of De
Marigny was found, and the prose-
cution's case hinges on the impress
sion.
In croSS-eXamination. w. E. A.
Calender, associate defense counsel.
asked the maid: Had you been told -,
that Christie was to spend the
night?"
NO" she replied. !
When he slept there did he al
ways use the east room?"
Yes"
1t was brought out that Mr.. |
Christie often stayed overnight |
without the maids having been in
structed to prepare his bed.
A. F. Adderley of the prosecution |
anticipated challenge of Mr.. Chris
ties testimony in his summation of !,
the jury yesterday when he said
Capt. Sears of the Nassau police had
informed the crown he saw a man
he recognized as Mr. Christie in
station wagon on the night of the
murder
Mr.. Christie has testified he spent
the entire night at Westbourne.
Jury Visits Death Scene.
TT will be a question of personal
honor and in no way impeach the
evidence of the crown against the
accused" Mr.. Adderley declared.
The colored prosecutors address
high lighted the first session of |
the trial yesterday. which closed .
with a visit of the jury and court
officials to the death scene.
The jurors saw the charred bed |
the scattered feathers from the .
burned bed and Sir Harry's clothing
on an overstuffed chair where he
placed it on the night Of the murder. .
The furniture was upright, show
Ing little signs of struggle. but blood
stains were still visible. A smoke
Smudge appeared on the wall out
side Sir Harry's bedroom door.
De Marigny, guarded by Police 1t.
John Douglas, accompanied the jur-
orS to WeStbourne, He mingled with !