The Northern Guardian. — 1897-07-26 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE MURDER OF A SINGER.  "PRINCE'S WISH SHE SHOULD  DIE."  ATTEMPT TO PROVE AN ALIBI.  I:" DAILY NEWS TELEGRASI.I  Vienna, Sunday.  The court which conducts the trial of the men accused of the murder of Anna Szimon consists of three judges, one of whom presides, and three jurymen. The six members of this tribunal give the verdict. Everyone was astonished at the impudence in which Major )3°RK-fie-if said to the President that he had certainly not been a party to her murder. Why should he have been? 11? had plenty of friends who would have murdered her. The President said, "Surely that is not a service you could ask of a friend?" But Boltscheff only smiled and said, "I have plenty of friends who would do this for me." Boitscheff makes the worst impression, and Novelics, though he shows remorse, has not a good record. He persists in saying that Boitscheff ordered him to murder the girl Szimcn, and that he told him it was The Prince's Wish She Should Die.  _ This part of his deposition te says in a mere whisper that the public cannot hear, but the President repeats his words aloud. The gendarme is the odinary type of the Bulgarian policeman, who will treat a prisoner just as he is ordered by his masters. He says that Boitscheff said to him when he and Novelics carried the dead girl to the bridge, "Do not be afraid. the Prince knows of this affair—the woman was always making scandals outside the Palace. All you need do is not to talk. If you talk the affair will go before the judges, and then you will be hung." As they drove home after the body had been flung into the Maritza river, Boitscheff repeatedly said, "There is no need for anxiety, it was the Prince's wish." Novelics said he was called by telephone to the Palace on the day before the murder, and when he went he was taken to the Adjutant's room. Boitscheff came from the Court dinner, and said to Novelics, “I called you because there is a woman who has annoyed his Royal Highness for some time, and must be removed." Novelics said. "I will make her leave Philippopolis," but Boitscheff said most decidedly, "No, no; you misunderstand me when I say she must be removed. I mean. She Must Be Killed." NOVeliC3 says that he answered that he could do that, when Boitscheff rose, saying, "You have the Prince's orders for it." Novelics knew that Boitscheff was in the Prince's confidencO, and he therefore trusted him. The functionary for special missions, Av-radali, was present during the conversation, but he did not understand, as Boitscheff spoke Italian. The witnesses all declare Anna was an innocent girl when she came to Sofia, who thought she could earn her living by her pretty voice. Boitscheff was the fir-t and last man she was intimate with. This they all firmly believed. The midwife Leticka de=cribes how miserable poor Anna was, notwithstanding her beauty; how she had not enough to eat sometimes, and suffered cold and hunger. She would have given her soul for Boitscheff willingly. An important witness was a cab driver, Alexien, who drove into the country with Boitscheff a short time before the murder. Boitscheff was driving and Alexien sat near him. In the carriage were Boitscheff's wife and an adjutant. Boitscheff said to Alexien that he must do away with a woman who was running after the Prince. Alexien said, "I cannot do th‘t unless the Prince tells me." Boitscheff said. "Siirely you know me." Aliexen answered, "I know you well, but I do not believe the Prince gave orders to have a woman killed." Boitscheff said that if he ever mentioned the affair by a word he would shoot him like a dog. When the first rumours of the murder circulated, Alexien was summoned before Novelics, who said if he breathed a word he should repent. Two coach-men have come forward who both offer to take an oath that they drove Boitscheff to the trysting place at the Catholic Cemetery on The Night of the Muider. - -  This is because the police promised a reward if the cachman who drove him there came forward. Now there are two who claim the reward. The three girls who were Anna's friends. all singers in a cafe, depose that Anna was so distressed that she repeatedly thought of suicide. They say that once Boitscheff took Anna out for a ride and threatened to kill her. The girl said, "Do it: but remember God sees you and will punish you for your crime." Two old fishermen deposed that Boitscheff and Novelies came to the spot on .11 Maritza several days before the crime and furveYed the neighbourhood. One of the last witnesses heard was Boitscheffs landlord. who tried to prove an alibi for the major, but failed. lie said that Beitscheff had dined with him and his wife, and was at home from half-past nine until twelve. Beitseheff had previously declared that he had dined at the Palace on the night ,af file ' murder. When counsel for the defence impugned Anna's morals there was some disturbance in court. It is believed that the case will conclade en Monday night.