FACING CHARGES OF MURDER AND FORGERY

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 June 1932, Page 3

FACING CHARGES OF MURDER AND FORGERY

Callous Crime in America Reported

New York Times Broadcast SAN FRANCISCO, Juno 9. Frank J. Egan, admired and trusted public defender before bis arrest on charges of murdering a 57-year-old widow, who named him the beneficiary of 12,000 dollars life insurance, was accused to-day of getting possession of tnc 8000 dollar estate of another woman.

The charge that Egan took 8000 dollars from the estate of the late Katie Webber was made iu a suit by eight heirs to remove Louis M. Hofeler as administrator. The heirs charged that Hofeler failed to collect 8120 dollars Egan allegedly had taken and not repaid. A bank passbook forgery of 5000 dollars and a cheque for 5000 dollars made out to one Minnie Peystcr, the heirs charged, was the means used to remove money from Mrs. Webber’s bank account.

While the suit was being Egan was taken into Court to hear demands that he reveal what happened to the will and insurance policies of Jessie Scott Hughes, the woman ho and two convicts are accused of murdering. On advice of counsel, Egan later refused

to answer questions regarding the missing papers in the Hughes ease. He was adjudged in contempt of Court. The offence carries n gaol sentence, but Hgan already is a prisoner on the murder charge. An earlier message stated that the tall, gaunt man with the piercing eyes, trusted by the public and admired by the unprivileged and helpless poor ho defended before the law, ordered that 66-ycar-old Jessie Scott Hughes, a widow who called him “my bos - ’’ and carried life insurance payable to him, be crushed to death beneath the wheels of an automobile. The police claimed that Verne Doran, a convict, had tola them this. Doran was promised partial immunity to talk, it was reported. Egan, who showed himself a master of strategy, dropped from sight shortly before Doran’s alleged confession was made, and continued to elude the city and State police. The document that the police claimed was Doran’s confession was a recital of a callous murder, ghastly in its very casualness. It claimed that Bgau ordcrod the death of his friend.

In detail it purported to reveal how Doran drove a heavy automobile bach and forth over the crushed body, while Tinnon, an accomplice, used arm signals to direct the movements of the car. The alleged confession said that after the body had been thrown out Doran and Tinnon wont to an hotel and calmly played ping pong until Egan met them.