FAILURE TO EXACT CONFESSION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19915, 27 September 1934, Page 9

FAILURE TO EXACT CONFESSION

SEQUEL TO LINDBERGH KIDNAPPING POLICE MAKING CAST IRON PROSECUTION United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 26, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 25. While New York officials immediate objective is to secure an indictment against Bernard Richard Hauptmann on charges of extortion, it became almost certain to-day that kidnapping and murder charges will be prosecuted in New Jersey, the scene of the Lindbergh abduction and where the infant’s body was found. The police tacitly admit that, because of the importance of the case and the fact that they wish to prevent any technical loophole for Hauptmann to escape, they have not used the customary “third degree” methods to gain a confession. Questioning for days and days has not gained a confession from the stolid German, but the police believe that the case can be made iron-clad without it.

To-day the police searched accused’s home, and found written on a closet wall the name and telephone number of John Condon, who handled the ransom negotiations, also the serial numbers of several ransom gold certificates. They also found a keg of nails, exactly similar to those used for the construction of the ladder by which the child was removed from its nursery, and Federal agents declare that the footprints on the Lindbergh estate correspond with those of Hauptmann.

Accused admitted writing Condon’s name, saying that he did so merely because he was interested in the case, as everyone was at the time. The police naturally refuse to give credence to such an explanation, and say that the case is as near certain as possible without an actual confession..