Volume 15 , Issue 36

First Evidence Is Introduced (9/23/1913)

It was in The Tulsa Daily World, dated 24 September 1913, morning edition, "First Evidence Is Introduced," as witness repeats story of killing as told by Mrs. Reuter. The Jury was completed late in afternoon, and Malloy finished his opening statement.

(by Glenn Condon, staff correspondent) Bartlesville, OK, Sept. 23 (1913) -- The story of the killing of Charles T. Reuter (attorney) in his home in Tulsa, in May, 1912, as told by his widow to neighbors shortly after the shooting, was repeated on the witness stand that night, September 23, 1913. It was a day of intense excitement in the court of District Judge Henry Hudson, before whom the case was being tried.

The last juror was selected at 4 o'clock that afternoon and for two hours thereafter, STate's Attorney Pat Malloy, told the jury in dramatic form the theory of the prosecution against Laura M. Reuter, and what they expected to prove. The declaration that the state would prove conclusively that he defendant and Guy Mackenzie, her alleged paramour and co-conspirator, were intimate to an unspeakable degree prior to the murder and that Bud Bellew's confession of the part he played int he alleged conspiracy, brought out the two strongest points around which the prosecution would weave its case.

Some Progress

In his opening statement, Pat Malloy indicated that the state would pursue much the same course i this trial as was followed by the prosecution int he trial of Joe Baker and Guy Mackenzie. An overcrowded court room listened in breathlessness while the young prosecutor stated his case.

The introduction of evidence started when court convened at 7:30 that evening. Bailiffs had a difficult time controlling the spectators. No one was permitted to enter or leave the room while a witness was on the stand, but in the brief intermission, there would be a wild rush of men and women for the corridor outside. Scores had to stand up during the evening session.

Dr. Ross Grosshart, the first witness, told of having been called to examine the body of Reuter after he had been shot the night of May, 1912. He found two bullet holes in the man's head. It was he who notified Mrs. Reuter that her husband was dead.

Attorney Ben Thompson, of counsel for the defense, offered an objection to any portions of State's Attorney Malloy's statement to the jury that might not be supported by the evidence later on. He object to further examination of witnesses on the ground that the court had no jurisdiction, and objected to the whole proceedings on the grounds that the information did not charge murder.

J. M. Chanler, former Tulsa policeman, swore that he saw Charlie Reuter on Second street in Tulsa at 11 o'clock the Saturday night of the killing. This was contrary to the statement made by Mrs. Reuter at the time of her arrest, to the effect that Reuter was at home with her all evening.

Scott Reams and John H. Connett testified that they saw Joe Baker in front of a North Main barber shop at 9 o'clock the night of the murder. Mrs. H. M Beam, former neighbor and friend of the Reuter family, told about hearing the shots on the night of the murder. She saw a masked man run front he Reuter home and go west on Golden. Mrs. Reuter told her that night about the alleged scenes that took place when Reuter was killed. A masked man entered Mrs. Reuter's room, flashed a light, then went across the hall to Mr. Reuter's room, where he lay sleeping next to his little daughter, awoke him, demanded his diamonds, and then shot him. Mrs.Reuter ran to the roof of the porch and screamed for help.

Later Mrs. Reuter had told the witness that prior to the killing, Reuter and Mackenzie had had trouble over some papers and Reuter had told her he did not want Mackenzie around his home again. Mrs. Beam was on the stand when court adjourned at 10 o'clock until 9 o'clock WEdnesday morning.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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