Evening star., 1945-05-25
Corens Offers AIibi
For B|oodstains Found.
In Bethesda Home
Defendant in Wife Staying
Case Says He Cut
Fingers Severely
BY J. B. ZATMAN,
Star Staff Correspondent.

ANNAPOLIS. Md, May 25.-
Henry H. Corens, A, charged
with the murder of his wife
Pearl, 81, testified at his trial to-
day that bloodStains found in
his Bethesda home may have
come from a finger injury which
he suffered, and that human
tissue in a hacksaW discovered
in the basement may have been
the result of her using it to cut
callouSes off the soles of her feet.
The former automobile painter.
whose wife's head was found on
lonely Virginia road February q.
told the Anne Arundel Circuit Court
jury that he cut his fingers badly
last December 13, and that he had
to stay home for five weeks as a
result of his injuries
He said his fingers bled profusely
every time he touched something.
and that he spent most Of his time
while away from work in the base
ment of his home at 4515 Gladwyne
drive. He said that he often used
a spade and mop on which blood
stains were found.
AS to the testimony of Federal
Bureau of Investigation agents yes
terday that the hack saw contained
human tissue as well as human
bloodstains, he said:
Used Razor Blades.
"I've seen Pearl use the hack saw
to cut fish and meat and even use
it on the bottom of her feet"
He said that when he was in the
basement one day, his wife came
down and said, Henry, I've got a
job for you-I want you to cut the
callouseS off my foot
He said he told her that she had
ruined every razor blade in the
house by cutting callouses of her
feet and then laughingly asked her,
why don't you use this hack saw?"
He asserted that his wife agreed
and used the hack saw to remove
callouseS on one OF her feet.
Corens said he often killed and
skinned rabbits in the basement as
we'll as quite a few" chickens He
also said he used to burn rags and
and clothing in the fireplace.
Burned Coat in Fireplace.
He said he had purchased a tweed
suit in 1887 or 1888 and that he had
bought his wife coat similar to it in
1943. While going to work one day,
he said, his car broke down and
while attempting to repair it. his
tweed coat was ruined by acid from
the battery.
He said he then used the coat as a
rag and once chopped off a turkey S
head on a piece of wood placed on
the coat He said he then threw the
coat into the fireplace. He identified
a piece of cloth found in the ashes
taken by police from the fireplace as
something like my tweed coat"
He added that he also burned
chicken feathers and bones in the
fireplace
Corens, the first witness in his
own defense, earlier had reiterated
the statements which Montgomery
County police had attributed to him
during the investigation of his
wife's disappearance.
Speaking in a clear, unhurried
voice, he told the jury he was in
stalling seat covers in his car
about $50 pm. February IL when
his wife walked up. He said she
spoke to neighbor who was watch
ing, but said nothing to him.
Awakened by Radio.
Corens said his wife entered the
house and came out again about IS
minutes later. He said he asked her,
whats the matter, Pearl?" She
gave him funny look" and walked
of, he said.
Il went to bed about $50 pm
and I was awakened by a radio
in my wife's room about midnight" Z"
Corens testified.
Il asked her to turn it down and
told her that wanted to sleep even
if she didn't A few minutes later
Pearl came in my room and wanted
to know where her whisky was.
When I said I didn't know, she
scratched my face and slapped her
Then she picked up something
from the fioor-I think it was a
shoe-and hit me on the forehead,
knocking me out. When came to
(See CORENS, Page A-2,)