CROWN CASE CLOSES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 120, 14 February 1935, Page 9

CROWN CASE CLOSES

Hauptmann Trial Nears End INCIDENT IN COURT (Received February 13. 7 p.m.) Flemington, February 12. The State closed its case against Hauptmann with a four hours and a half address by Mr. Wilentz. As the hour was late when he finished,. the judge postponed his charge to the jury until to-morrow. Mr. Wilentz reviewed the whole testimony and claimed- credibility for State witnesses, while he characterised those of the defence as of a most dubious character. At the end of his summation the court was thrown into extreme confusion when a person in clerical garb jumped to his feet, exclaiming: “Confession, confession!” The whole court was astir until the police removed the man. The man evicted was identified as Vincent Burns, an eccentric pastor of an Institution known as the “Union nonDenominational Church.” According to persons close by, his words were. “If your Honour please, that man confessed to the crime in niy church,” indicating Hauptmann. Both the judge and Mr. Wilentz declared they would take no cognisance of the incident. Another version was that Burns wishes to declare that some person other than Hauptmann made the confession. To this Mr. Reilly, foi Hauptmann, said that Burns had previously approached him, but lie considered him incompetent and bad no interest in the matter.