NEW YORK MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15496, 1 January 1914, Page 7

NEW YORK MURDER.

JURY FAILS TO AGREE. NEW TRIAL ORDERED. EVIDENCE BY ACCUSED/ BEHAVES LIKE MANIAC. By Telearaoh— Association—Copyright. (Received December 31. 10.5, p.m.) New York, December 31. The jury in the case of Hans Schmidt, charged with the murder of the girl Anna Auruallcr, yesterday disagreed, after a lengthy trial, and was discharged. A new trial has been ordered. Schmidt behaved like a maniac throughout the trial, quarrelled with his lawyers, and talked to the jurymen insultingly. He gave evidence on his own behalf, declaring that God had called him to commit the crime. The plea of insanity as put forward, but the commissioner refused to pronounce the accused insane. FOUND IN HUDSON RIVER. The police have ascertained that Schmidt, who is 32 years oi age. and a native of Germany, came to New York in 1906. He went to Trenton, New Jersey, and was appointed rector oi St. P miface's Church in December, 1910. It wa*s there be mot Anna Aumaller. He was attracted by her beauty and became infatuated with the girl. In his confession Schmidt says : —" She was so beautiful and so good that I could not let her live without me. I was a priest and must remain with the Church. I could not let her go away from me, so I killed her." In the apartments occupied by Schmidt the detectives found 500 printed cards indicating that the priest had masqueraded as a surgeon. The cards read : " Dr. Emile Meliere, formerly assistant surgeon a* the Municipal Woman's Hospital. Paris. Representative of the Chemical Hygiene Manufacturine Company." It waa a gaily coloured pillow of unusual pattern that led to the arrest of Schmidt. The detectives traced the manufacturer of the pillow, then the dealer from whom Schmidt had bought, and finally Schmidt himself; The unfortunate girl's dismembered remains were found in the Hudson River four months ago.