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My grandfather Giovanni Coia was born in Sesto Campano, Isernia, Molise in 1869. He married Filomena Integlia who was born in a one room stone house on top of Mt. San Valentino, which is walking distance from Sesto. (It's barely walking distance for me, they had a much greater range!!) Nonno (grandfather,) was a farmer, carpenter, and builder. My cousin Assunta owns what would now be called a condo in Sesto that nonno built. It has his initials over the door, and the date, 1912. I copied a picture of my grandparents while I was there for a visit. Everyone is amazed at how much I look like him. The exact same hair style, and the exact same moustache. Goosebump time. No one there today wears a moustache. I am convinced that I also think like he did. I believe that his genes came to dominate in me, his grandchild.
It was nonno's plan to relocate all of his family in America. His brother Angelo, also known as Charles Coia, a politician in Chicago in the 1920s, already lived there. Nonno brought my father on the SS Germania from Napoli to Providence, RI in Oct., 1913. At about the same time, my aunt Maria Carmela went to NY. Then WW1 started in 1914. No one could travel. The war ended in Nov., 1918. Nonno died a premature death at age 50 in 1920. His dream died with him.
When I retired at age 53 in 1989, I started genealogical research. On my mother's side, I am developing a family saga-true crime-woman's story. I could get absolutely nowhere on my father's side. I was born in CA in 1934. My father was "Tony Martin, born in Rome, Italy Nov. 7, 1895." It turns out that the only thing true about that was the date. When I wrote to Rome for a birth record, the reply was always negative. Finally, one day I called my half-brother. I said: "I am getting nowhere in finding info regarding Dad's birth. Please go to your Mom and ask her for any clue." His mother, my Dad's 2nd or 3rd wife, depending on the status of the 1st one, is still alive, in her 80s, and alert. She replied: "He had a sister Maria, in NY, and an uncle in Chicago, Charles Coia." Coia?? That's strange, how can that be? I obtained a copy of uncle Charlie's death certificate which stated that he was born in Sesto Campano. I wrote to the comune. They replied with a "situazione di famiglia," which listed family members back to my great-grandparents.
I have finally found my family. I found 24 first cousins in Italy and their children. I visited for a month last year. There is no describing the joy. Many times I heard: "We always wondered; whatever happened to uncle Mariano?" My cousins are, for the most part, very good looking. All of them are also highly intelligent, honest, talented, and hard working. It's wonderful to see my genetic makeup in so many other people. (Smile.)
So. How did my father, Mariano Coia, become Antonio Mario Martin? Here's what I believe: His girl friend followed him to RI. They had two children. Those are the only two of my immediate relatives that I have not found yet. One of my cousins in Italy told me that my father's girl friend was "after him with a gun." In Italy, you must report for military service at age 20. My father was 20 in Nov., 1915, during WW1. I obtained his record from Distretto Militare in Campobasso. They were looking for him until 1947. I know that he was terrified during WW2. He was afraid that he would be sent back to Italy. He may have been afraid that he might face a firing squad. Or, at least a long prison term. So he had fled to CA, assumed a new identity, and deliberately lost contact with his family in Italy.
On the situazione di famiglia regarding nonno's children, it says that "only Mariano and Maria Carmela emmigrated to America...."
The name Coia wasn't completely unheard of here. Two of my half-sisters in California were given the middle name Coia by my father. But no one knew what it meant or where it came from. With Dad, some topics were off limits, as I recall.
Uncle Charlie's day job was paving inspector for the city. As a polititian, he obtained civil service status for the city street sweepers.
And Yes, Uncle Charlie knew Al Capone. One of my newly discovered cousins here in the U.S. said: "Oh, yeah. He (Uncle Charlie,) had an office in the basement of his house. Al Capone used to visit him there. I saw him."
Dave Hug, Bodfish, CA (My mother changed my surname when she married my step-father.)
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San Francisco Chronicle
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1930
(Page One>
Chinese Servant Jailed in S. F. Actress Slaying.
TORN FINGER GIVES POLICE CLUE TO CRIME
Mrs. Rosetta Baker, Wealthy Patron Of Arts, Strangled in Home
Oriental cunning pitted itself against occidental craft last night in a police investigation into a typical case of thugism of the Far East and the "wiles of the heathen Chinese" lost.
Betrayed, the police said, by a bit of skin missing from a finger, Lui Fook, 63, 841 Stockton street, was placed in the City Prison on a charge of murdering his employer of years, Mrs. Rosetta Baker, 75, eccentric and wealthy amateur actress and patroness of the arts, by strangling her In her bedroom of her apartment, 814 California street.
Bit of Skin Fits Perfect in Fresh Wound on Suspect.
Though the bit of skin picked up by detectives beside the body, fitted perfectly in a fresh wound on the first finger of Lui's right hand and though his chin and neck bore the marks of fingernail scratches, he stolidly and steadfastly denied he had knotted a sheet around the neck of the "boss-missy" he had served for ten years. Missing from the luxurious apartment were three jeweled rings valued at $9000, one of which neither Mrs. Baker nor her friends had been able to remove from her finger for years. Despite the most searching investigation by the police, these gems could not be discovered.
Aged Woman Strangled and Receives Terrific Beating
Not only was the aged woman strangled, it was shown by the autopsy conducted by Dr. A. A. Berger, the Coroner's autopsy surgeon, but she received a terrific beating. Her chest bone was crushed in, two ribs were fractured and her head was covered with bruises and cuts.
The police were continuing their investigations on the theory that Lui, possibly under the influence of narcotics, had suddenly flown into a tantrum when taken to task by Mrs. Baker. She was known as a woman of crotchety disposition, (Continued on Page 3, Col.1
Actor-Protégé of Slain S. F. Amateur Actress Released After Grilling
THREE OTHERS QUESTIONED IN MYSTERY DEATH
Torn Finger of Chinese Finally Brings Clue to Police
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 3)
investigation disclosed, and recently had discharged the Chinese. Lui admitted that he had taken a "pinch of yen-shee," the ashes of opium, directly after arising yesterday.
The charging of the Chinese followed a day devoted to questioning Walter Outler, an actor at the Green Street Theater, playing under the name of Wallace Middleton. Arthur Beale, pianist at the theater, Harold Depler, cafeteria manager, all residing at 730 Stockton street.
They were taken to the Hall of Justice for questioning after Lui, bursting into the next door suite of Mrs Ramond Dix, Manager of the California street apartment house, screamed shrilly that the "boss-missy is lying on the floor and won't get up."
TELLS OF FRIENDSHIP
As soon as the police arrived Lui began a voluble story of the friendship between Mrs. Baker and Middleton. The Chinese, taken to the Hall of Justice for questioning with the four young men, was noticed by detectives George Engler and Harry Husted to be keeping his right hand constantly in his coat pocket.
Finally, they drew it forth and found a fresh wound on the finger tip. Lui said it was from washing windows a week ago. Then the detectives produced the bit of skin, which fitted. With this evidence they released the other four.
"The murder followed a gay night at dinner and at the theater, participated in by Mrs. Baker, Middleton, Arthur Beal and Mrs. Walker Coleman Graves, the former Mrs. Maude James Loller, 56, Brocklebank Apartments, 1000 Mason street, also wealthy.
MEET AT APARTMENT
According to Middleton, the four met by pre-arrangement at Mrs.Graves' apartment about 5:30 0'clock Sunday evening, went to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel for dinner, returned to the Brocklebank apartment, and then took the women to the Green street playhouse in Mrs. Baker's car.
After the theater, Middleton said they had ice cream at aconfectionery at Polk and Sutter streets, drove to Mrs. Graves' apartment and then to Mrs. Baker's apartment.
Middleton said he and Beal remained with Mrs. Baker only about fifteen minutes and then went to their Stockton street apartment. When their story was corroborated by Depler, their roommate, the police released them.
After Lui led the police to Middleton, he refused to respond to their knocking, thinking it was a peddler, he said. But when the police began climbing through the transom, he unlocked the door.
Middleton, who has played here in the "Yellow Jacket" and the "Trial of Mary Dugan," is 26. Arthur Beale and Depler are the same age and Alex Beale is 23.
PROTEGE OF WOMAN
The friendship between the 75 year-old woman and the 28-year-old actor was one of the strange features of the case, the Police said. According to Middleton's story, he became her protégé about a year and a half ago, shortly after the death of her brother, Dr. F. J. Bethel, Sacramento dentist, in Qctober, 1928.
"She told me she was lonely," Middleton said.
He admitted he had dined frequently in her apartment and had escorted her to the theater and other places of amusement. He insisted that he had never been given money by Mrs. Baker, that she had purchased him clothing or anything else or that they had been anything but the best of platonic friends.
VALUED AT $200,000
According to Lincoln S. Grant, 1079 Ashbury street, Mrs. Baker's business manager, her wealth was estimated at $200,OOO and she was heiress to $3O0,000 under the will of her late brother. Grant said he and Mrs. Baker had planned to go to Sacramento today to close up Dr. Bethel's estate.
Grant said that about five months ago Lui complained to him of the attentions Middleton was paying to Mrs. Baker. This resulted in the discharge of the Chinese from his position, according to Grant, but that finally Mrs. Baker relented and took her old servant back.
Middleton said he was responsible for the restoration of Lui into his mistress' good graces.
Don Reid, attorney for Mrs. Baker, described her as an exceedingly shrewd business woman. Her only expenditures, he said, were for costly finery and jewels.
Mrs. Baker owned the apartment in which she was murdered, the Ruther Glen apartments at 1364 Leavenworth street, and another apartment house at Hyde street and Pacfic avenue.
Between her hard headed business deals, Mrs. Baker found her relaxation in semiprofessional stage appearances, in directing dances and in penning poetry.
On the stage she appeared with Reginald Travers' company at the Fairmont Hotel in "Lysistra" and "Uncle Vanya." She also had a part in "The Judgment of Mrs. Strothers" by Attorney Henry B. Lister when it was produced in San Anselmo about a year ago.
Several years ago she conducted the dancing classes at the California Club of which she was a member, and until about two years' ago her monthly dances were a feature of the Fairmont Hotel's entertainment program.
As the first wife of the late Dr. Clarence Clarke Baker she brought suit after his death for a share in the estate, charging that he had deceived her as to his holdings at time of their divorce in 1914. This suit was settled out of court.
Dr. Baker, once a prominent Stockton physician, owned the Hotel Robins, 711 Post street, and the old Berkshire Hotel before the 1906 fire.
Mrs. Baker is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Maude Christ, Los Angeles, and Mrs. A.D. Groves, St. Louis, and by a niece, Mrs. H. A. Cox, San Francisco.
Mrs. Graves, widow of one of San Francisco's most colorful attorneys and business men, divorced William H. Loller, many years her junior, after the fourth attempt. The three first suits were dismissed after reconciliations.
Loller, a real estate man, formerly of 625 Market street, testified at the divorce haring that she married him "just to have a dancing partner."
Slain Woman's Friend Tells of Last Evening
"This is terrible. The last thing Rosetta and I talked about last night was a trip to Ensenada that we were planning to take. And now she's dead. But I can never believe Lui Fook did it. It must have been someone else," said Mrs. Maud James Graves, the former Mrs. William H. Loller, companion of Mrs. Rosetta Baker Sunday night before the latter was strangled.
Mrs. Graves, who before her marriage to Loller was Mrs. Walker Coleman Graves, and who is the daughter of the late James G. James, Fresno cattle operator, talked freely of Mrs. Baker's last night, at her apartment at 1000 Mason street.
"Rosetta wanted me last night to go to the theater where Mr. Midleton was playing, and as I had never been there, I agreed," said Mrs. Graves. "Mr. Middleton and the other boy all had dinner at the Sir Francis Drake together.
"We went to the theater, and after the theater to a confectionery, and then they brought me home. The boys left with Mrs. Baker about 12:15 and about fifteen minutes later, Mrs. Baker called me up to say good night. We always said good night to each other. She didn't say anything about the boys being there and I presume they had gone."
Mrs. Graves declared she and Mrs. Baker had been friends for many years.
Mrs. Baker was something of an amateur actress, despite her age. She appeared in a number of Reginald Travers' Little Theater productions particularly "School for Scandal," "Lysistrata" and "Uncle Vanya."
The slain woman also was something of a poet, too.
A poem entitled "Margaret Fuller Slack" was found in which the last sentence read: "Sex is the curse of life!" The bottom of the poem was indorsed with a pen, "This is true."
Principals in Weird, Mysterious Slaying of San Francisco Woman (Photos of Outler, beale, Rosetta, Fook, and Mrs. Graves)
San Francisco Chronicle
Wednesday, December 10, 1930 (Page One)
Slain Woman's Gems Found in Servant's Room
FIND CLINCHES COOK'S GUILT, SAY SLEUTHS
Search Also Reveals Bloody Clothes of Mrs. Baker's Aged Servant
Discovery of two diamond rings, valued at $9,000 in a place where only he could have hidden them, and of a suit of working clothes stained with blood last evening according to police, laid the final finger of guilt on Lui Fook 63, Chinese servant of Mrs. Rosetta baker, charged with the murder of his employer in her apartment at 814 California street Sunday night.
The working clothes, consisting of a pair of trousers and a blouse, were found first. They were in a bucket of water underneath a sink in the basement of the apartment house and close to the door of a room which the Chinese used for changing his clothes.
Button Corresponds With Other Discovery
From the blouse a button was missing. The one found near the body of the dead woman on Monday morning corresponded with the other buttons and fitted into the place whence it had been torn.
The clothes were found by Detective Sergeants Husted and Engler, and when
they showed them to Mrs. Ray Dix, manager of the apartment house she immediately, recognized them as Fook's regular working suit.
Larger Ring Shows Signs of Blood
The rings, the largest of which showed unmistakable signs of bloodstains were found later by the two executors of Mrs. Baker's will who were seeking in the basement for the jewelry known to have been worn by her.
They were underneath a pile of old telephone books on a chair in one of the basement lumber rooms next to that used by Fook. Arthur L. Miller, 2153 ½ Montana street, Los Angeles, accompanied by Lincoln U. Grant, 1079 Ashbury street, San Francisco, the other executor, was searching through the basement in the hopes of finding the place where the valuable rings were hidden.
He noticed that dust on the telephone books had been disturbed, lifted up the pile and disclosed the two rings on the chair.
The rings were turned over to
(Continued on Page 4, Col. 2)
SLAIN WOMAN'S RINGS FOUND
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 3)
Deputy Coroner Anthony Trabucco, as were also a pair of tweezers hidden with the rings and bearing stains that may be rust or blood.
Discovery of the rings, coming on the heels of the blouse and trousers discovery in a place to which only Fook of any possible suspect had admission according to Captain of Detectives Charles Dullea, positively proves a guilt of which he has been certain from other indication.
Both Dullea and Allen McGinn of the homicide squad admitted that the murder of a white by a Chinese is almost unheard of and they had only speculation as to the motive.
They believe his motive either was jealousy or resentment that Mrs. Baker, club woman and patron of the drama as well as being an amateur actress herself, should have made a sweetheart of a 28-year-old man, Walter Outler, who plays at the Green Street Theater under the name of Wallace Middleton.
The Chinese is an admitted narcotic addict. He said yesterday in the City Prison that he would kill himself if someone did not supply him with a pinch of yen-shee before tonight.
"I need it just like you need food." He said. "For forty-two years—when the price was too high—I have eaten yen-shee every day."
He continued to deny he killed "boss-missy." He first knew of the tragedy, he said, when he went to her bedroom at 8:30 o'clock Monday morning to take her the morning paper and found her dead on the floor.
When arrested Monday the Oriental denied that part of a shoe heel found near the body was his. Yesterday, when it was found to fit his shoe he admitted that it was. "I have lost it three or four times," he said, "it wouldn't stay on."
Lui was known to have been bitter toward young Middleton. He admitted yesterday that he refused to cook for the youth when Mrs. Baker brought him to the house and once quit his job in an argument over this refusal.
TELLS OF KISSES
"He came all the time," said the Chinese, referring to Middleton, "some times in the day and some times in the night. Mrs. Baker brought him a wrist watch once and another time she bought him a $65 suit of clothes.
"She would kiss him many times-not like a mother but like a sweetheart. I would go out of the room when I saw that. About four days before Mrs. Baker was killed, he told her he did not want to see her anymore. He did not come for those four days. But he came Sunday night. I do not know when he left."
POINT TO CUT
After Mrs. Baker had retired it is unlikely she would have admitted anyone except the Chinese, police say. They point to the cut on Lui's right forefinger and to the piece of skin found on the bedroom floor that fits it. Lui says he cut his hand Sunday while washing windows.
Grant, business manager for Mrs. Baker for many years said that Lui and Mrs. Baker quarreled frequently over her attentions to young Middleton and that she once accused the Oriental of having stolen $40 from her. And on another occasion of having taken $5.
SERVANT HAS $3,000
"If I killed Mrs. Baker, why didn't I try to escape? I have $3,000" Said Lui.
Captain Dullea answers the question:
"He wanted the murder to appear as though Middleton committed it with the theft of some $10,000 in jewels from Mrs. Baker as the motive."
"I have a room in the basement of the apartment house which Mrs. Baker owned. I arose in the morning, turned on the heat, washed off the sidewalk and steps in front and went in to take her the paper. I let myself in the front door with a pass key and went to her room. When she did not answer I went in and found her dead on the floor. That is all I know."
Police say that Mrs. Baker habitually bolted her bedroom door from the inside before retiring.
Early Monday morning she telephoned a close friend, Mrs. Maude J. Graves, that she was in her night clothing and was about to go to bed. The presumption is that she bolted her door from the inside as usual. She had just returned from a party with Mrs. Graves and Middleton and one of Middleton's friends Arthuir Beale. Police found good evidence that Middleton and Beale left some time before the telephone call and went home.
Police also took Fook yesterday to the undertaking parlor where the body lies. He remained unmoved. Detectives cut a lock from the dead woman's head for a purpose they would not reveal.
Municipal Judge Lazarus continued the case until December 18 when Lui was brought before him on the murder charge yesterday morning.
Mrs. Baker's safe deposit box at the Union Trust Company was opened and her will found. It shed no light on the case. Her estate is estimated by Grant to be close to $500,000. Miss Grace Priscilla Crist of Los Angeles, a niece is the principal beneficiary.
She is to receive $5,000 and Mrs. Baker's automobiles, jewels and personal belongings. Other relatives are given monthly allowances. The Wells Fargo Bank and Union Trust Company is appointed trustee together with Grant and Arthur L. R. Miller of Los Angeles. Miller, a relative by marriage arrived yesterday. A sister, Mrs. Maud Crist, also arrived from Los Angeles with her son, Robert H. Bacon, and his daughter, Mercedes, 7.
Another sister of the slain woman, Mrs. Clara Groves, is on her way here from St. Louis.
The will was read by E. J. White, trust officer of the bank, to Grant and to a group of interested attorneys including Joseph Webb, Don C. Reid and John Anderson. The latter two represent Mrs. Hazel Cox of this city, who is among the nieces and nephews Mrs. Baker cut off in her will.
The city pathologist is examining parings from the dead woman's fingernails for clues. Her stomach was sent to the city chemist.
Mrs. Graves, the friend of Mrs. Baker said yesterday that Mrs. Baker was an exceptionally strong woman and must have engaged in a terrific struggle with the man who knotted a sheet about her neck and strangled and beat her to death.
Arrangements were made yesterday for Mrs. Baker's funeral at 2 o'clock this afternoon from 1515 Scott street, where the service will be held. Interment will be in Cypress lawn.
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, December 11, 1930 (Page 3, Col. 4)
BLOOD SPOTS LINK CHINESE TO STRANGLING
Definite Prints of Nails of Heel New Evidence in Slaying
Though loath to believe that an old trusted Chinese servant had smashed all the traditions of his race by murdering his mistress, the police unearthed clue after clue yesterday that seemed to draw the net tighter and tighter around Lui Fook, 63, held in the Cith Prison on a charge of strangling Mrs. Rosetta Baker, 75, eccentric and wealthy amateur actress, in her luxurious apartment at 814 California street.
Declared to give the lied direct to Lui's continued protestations of innocence were these discoveries:
BLOOD SPOTS FOUND
The blood smears on the door and ring were found when the police began rummaging through Mrs. Baker's apartment and the basement for more leads following the discovery of Lui's trousers and blouse soaking in a buckegt of water and two rings, a watch and an amber necklace hidden under a pile of old telephone books.
The bloodstain on the ring the police believed came from the strangler when he forced the jewel from Mrs. Baker's finger. They were trying to connect it with Lui's torn finger.
FIND NAIL MARKS
Directly beside the spot where Mrs. Baker died the police found a perfect half moon of nail marks.
Other nail marks on the floor indicated the furious struggle preceding the murder, in which furniture was overturned, rughs thrown helter-skelter and the bedclothes dragged off and wrapped around the lower part of the amateur actress' body.
Lui has admitted that the rubber heel fell off his shoes the day of the strangling
METAL MESH BAG FOUND
In Lui's room at 841 Stockton street, Captain of Detectives Dullea and Detectives George Engler and Harry Husted found a metal mesh bag bearing the initials E. E. N. which the police believe may have contained her jewels and $75 which are missing from her apartment. Lui said the bag had been given to him by a tenant.
Mrs. Walker Coleman Graves, 1000 Mason street, companion of Mrs. Baker, Wallace Middleton, actor, and Arthur Beale, Pianist at the Green Street Theater on a gay party the night before the strangling, said the description of the bag corresponded to one in which Mrs.Baker kept her diamonds.
Other links in the chain of evidence, which police declare leads directly to Lui, were the discovery of half a dozen gray hairs on the knee of the water soaked trousers and the fitting of a button found beside the body to the blouse.
Notwithstanding the damaging evidence the police claim W. J. Gloria and W. G. C. McDonnel, retained as Lui's attorneys by his family, declared of his innocence. They challenged particularly the skin fitting on the wounded finger of the Chinese.
CONVINCED OF INNOCENCE
Furthermore, the lawyer said, no motive for murder has been established. Lui pointed out, the attorney said, that if he had strangled his mistress, by this time he "would be far, far away – mebbe with my friends in Chinatown, mebbe with my friends in Marysville or Stockton, and they would hide me."
While a crowd of morbidly curious pushed and shoved into a funeral chapel at 1535 Scott street yesterday afternoon, overflowing into the street and almost forcing the mourners from their seats, Rev. Dr. J. A. Collins of Grace Cathedral conducted the last services for Mrs. Baker.
In the mourners' chairs were Mrs. Maude Crist, a sister; her son, Robert Bacon, and his daughter Mercedes, 7, and Arthur B. R. Miller, a relative by marriage, all of Los Angeles; Mrs. Hazel Cox, a niece, and Lincoln U. Grant, Mrs. Baker's business manager, both of this city.
MRS. GRAVES LEAVES.
Neither Middleton nor Beale attended the funeral. According to Mrs. Graves, who said her grief forced her to leave before the services were over. Middleton is planning to go to Hollywood to "break into the talkies" after his engagement at the Green street theater.
"The poor boy is heart broken, said Mrs. Craves. "He came to my apartment Tuesday night, threw himself on the bed and cried for hours."
Mrs. Graves' faith in the innocence of both Lui and Middleton is unshaken. She said the police should look for the houseboy who preceded Lui, declaring that that Chinese had threatened Mrs. Baker's life a number of times.
While the funeral was being held, Mrs. Baker's will was filed in the Superior Court. Most of the estate, estimated at $300,000 is bequeathed to a niece, Grace Priscilla Crist, of Los Angeles. In the will, Mrs. Baker said she "purposely excluded" Alma J. Root and Hazel A. Cox , nieces, and George A. Cox, a nephew, 350 Dewey Boulevard, San Francisco, and two nieces and two nephews in St. Louis.
Records at the City Hall disclosed that Mrs. Baker made two loans totaling $24,000 last summer on her apartment houses on California street and at Hyde street and Pacific avenue.
BAKER ESTATE OF $300,000 GOES TO NIECE (December 11, Page 3, Col..8)
Will of Strangled Victim, Dated Sept. 6, 1929, Filed for Probate
Leaving approximately $300,000 in real and personal property, bulk of which will go to a niece, Miss Grace Priscilla Crist, 1318 South Herbert street, Los Angeles, niece of Rosetta Baker, 70, strangled to death in her apartment Monday night, was filed for probate yesterday in the Superior Court.
In the document, dated September 6, 1929, Mrs. Baker declared she purposely makes no provision for a sister, Claire Groves of St. Louis; two nieces, Phyllis Groves and Vera Seigle of St. Louis; two nephews, Theron and Marcellus Groves, also of St. Louis and a niece and nephew living at 350 Dewey boulevard, San Francisco: Hazel A. and Greorge A. Cox and Alma J. Root another niece living in Oakland.
UNMARRIED, CHILDLESS
Declaring she was not married and had no children, Mrs. Baker directed that if anyone should establish they are her issue they are to be given $5.
The document then orders that her jewelry, furniture, pottery and pictures, valued in excess of $10,000 and her automobile and $5000 be given outright to Miss Crist.
The rest of the estate is to be placed in a trust. Out of the income $35 a month each is to be paid to two nephews, George and Richard Carr of Los Angeles until the sum of $1260 has been paid to each. A sister, Maude Crist of Los Angeles, is to receive $75 a month for life from the trust, and the balance will go to Miss Crist. Under terms of the trust she will be given one-fifth of it when she is 25 years old and half when she is 30.
DISTRIBUTION PROVIDED
When all the beneficiaries have died the trust is to be dissolved and the money turned over to the children of Mercedes Bacon, a niece and if she has no issue, the will directs it be paid to the children of Miss Crist. If she dies without issue the money is to be divided equally among heirs at law.
Superior Judge Dunne appointed Lincoln U. Grant special administrator of the will pending its probate when he will serve as executor with Arthur L. Miller. The Wells Fargo Bank and Union Trust Company is appointed trustee in the will.
Large Loans Negotiated Recently By Woman Victim in Strangling (December 11, Page 3, Col. 2, and 3)
Large loans negotiated recently in connection with her real estate transactions by Mrs. Rosetta Baker were revealed yesterday by officials investigating her murder. Included in the property owned by the widow at the time of her death are the apartment house at 814 California, where she was killed. The land there was assessed at $6,510 and the building at $12,600, which is approximately 40 per cent of the real value.
She also owned the northwest corner of Hyde and Pacific streets, assessed at $2500 for land and $4,000 for building; and the southwest corner of Washington and Leavenworth streets. Assessed at $6,380 for land and $18,400 for buildings.
August 12, last, records show, she borrowed $11,000 on the Hyde and Pacific street property from the Corporation of America as trustee for the Bank of America of California, December 14, 1928, she borrowed $13,000 on the California street apartment house from the French American Corporation as trustee, and the Bank of California as beneficiary.
April 24, 1925, she and Frank J. Bethel, her late brother, purchased jointly a house and lot at 1205-1207 Sanchez street, which they sold December 16 of the same year to Leslie W. and Regina Geib. The land there was assessed at $630 and the house at $1,500. Revenue stamps on the sales deed indicated they had realized $7,000 for the property, officials said.
San Francisco Chronicle
Friday, December 12, 1930
Page 4
CHINESE AIDS SHADOW ACTOR IN STRANGLING
Middleton, Member of Gay Party, Followed by Lui's Friends
While the State was conducting an examination of Mrs. Rosetta
Baker's apartment house, 814 California street, in search of traces of
narcotics addicts and peddlers last night, Wallace Middleton, Green
Street Theater actor, was under close surveillance by Chinese friends
of Lui Fook aged houseboy, charged with strangling his mistress, the wealthy, eccentric amateur actress.
Middleton was a member of a gay party with Mrs. Baker on the night before she was murdered.
SHADOWING OF ACTOR
This shadowing of the actor in his apartment at 730 Stockton street has been carried on day and night, it was learned, since he was released by the police and Lui was accused of the murder of Mrs. Baker.
Working in relays of two each the Chinese keep an unobtrusive watch
on all callers at the apartment house. They are carefully scrutinized.
Callers for Middleton found him out yesterday.
Search of the California street apartment house was ordered by Captain H. S. Seager, Chief of the Division of Narcotics. He directed John C. Rafferty, one of the State agents to comb the building from top to bottom.
ASKED TO INVESTIGATE
We have been asked by the police to make this investigation captain Seager said, but certain information has come to us from other sources that justifies us in taking these steps.
Reiterating that it was "a too perfect case," William J. Gloria obtained with W.C.G. McDonnell as Lui's attorneys, hinted at sensational developments which would snap the police chain of evidence. Gloria added that he had been swamped with telephone calls giving him information indicating that the Chinese was not guilty.
It was planned to question A.D. Selna, taxicab driver, 583 Filbert street, who reported to the police he was called to Stockton and California streets about 4 o'clock last Monday morning and picked up a nervous fare. The police say Mrs. Baker was killed about 3:30.
San Francisco Chronicle
Saturday, December 13, 1930 Page 1 Col. 3
Lawyers, Sleuth Clash in Baker Murder Inquiry
Detective Ejects Fook's Attorneys Seeking for Clues in Actress' Home
Near fist fights between lawyers and detectives, a continuation of the State narcotics hunt, authentic reports that murder blocked the making of a new will, cutting off previously favored relatives-these were some of the developments yesterday in the strangling of Mrs.Rosetta Baker, wealthy and eccentric amateur actress.
Allen McGinn, head of the homicide squad, and William J. Gloria and W.C.G. McDonnell, attorney for Lui Fook, accused of the murder, almost came to blows when the detective objected to the lawyers searching Mrs. Baker's effects and tried to eject McDonnell from her apartment at 814 California street.
Attorney Ordered To Leave
"Get our of here!" McGinn shouted grabbing McDonnell by the
shoulder and propelling hiii toward the door.
Gloria knocked McGinn's grip loose and all three squared off with doubled fists, yelling defiance, Gloria asserting he was there at the invitation of the police and the District Attorney's office.
But McGinn stood firm on barring the attorneys from the apartment
and they went away, declaring they would get a court order today permitting them to search the premises.
Tracing Victim's Associates
Gloria said his hunt was directed toward suspected caches of narcotics and to ascertain who had been Mrs. Baker's last associates.
While the row was going on, John G. Rafferty, agent of the State Narcotic's Division was continuing his search of the apartment house. He said he would resume his investigation today.
That Mrs. Baker had decided shortly before her murder to disinherit two Los Angeles relatives was the information given to the police. Though the utmost credence was placed in the assertion, the name of the informant was not disclosed.
Wallace Middleton, whom Mrs. Baker called her "protégé," disclosed that he was still being "shadowed"
(Continued on Page 2, Col. 6)
NEAR BATTLE MARKS ACTRESS DEATH INQUIRY
Attorneys, Detectives, Clash in Search for New Murder Motive
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 3)
by Chinese, who he said followed him nightly to and from the Green Street Theater, where he is performing and stationing themselves outside his apartment at 730 Stockton street night and day.
He asked for an interview with Lui yesterday evening; but the Chinese refused to see him.
"I wanted him to deny those published lies that he saw me kissing Mrs. Baker" said Middleton who was the last person except the strangler to see her alive.
POLICE STRIP APARTMENT
The police removed the door from Mrs. Baker's apartment and the window from apartment 14, in which Lui said he cut his finger last Saturday. Pieces of the floor in apartment 14 also were removed. The stains will be analyzed for human blood.
Still insisting they had a complete case against Mrs. Baker's Chinese servant, the police admitted they could not believe 63 year-old Lui weighing 110 pounds and of apparently frail strength could have crushed in her chest, broken two ribs and throttled her with a powerful grip.
STRUCK FROM BEHIND
Dr. A.F. Moody, who conducted the autopsy, said his theory was Mrs. Baker was struck down from behind by a heavyset, powerful assailant of such weight that he crushed her chest while kneeling on her.
Such a man A.D. Selna, 583 Filbert street, taxicab driver, said he drove from Stockton and California streets about the time of the murder, but the police said they intended to make no search for this man.
NEW EVIDENCE FOUND
The police said they had discovered what appeared to be clotted blood under two of Lui's left-hand finger nail, and one right-hand finger nail which they believed came from the choking of Mrs. Baker.
They also declared they had sensational evidence under cover which clinched their case, but it would not be produced until the trial.
ANALYSIS UNDER WAY
Edward I. Sugarman, pathologist employed by Gloria and McDonnell began his analysis of the supposed bloodstains found in apartment 14 but said it would be several days before he could reach a result.
Gloria announced that a criminologist would be retained by the defense, possibly E.O.Heinrich of Berkely.
Slaying of Aged Widow by Chinese Held Parallel to Baker Murder (Dec. 13, page 2, Col. 4, 5)
If lui Fook, elderly Chinese houseboy, is guilty of the murder of his white mistress, Mrs. Rosetta Baker, the case is not without parallel, it was pointed out yesterday.
Mrs. Margaret C. Shelly, 88, widow, who lived in seclusion on her ranch near Fairfield, was found beaten to death with an ax in her home October 17, 1927. The crime was traced by Sheriff John Thornton to Ah Choy, Chinese narcotic addict, who had worked in Mrs. Shelly's orchard for more than three years.
After an unsuccessful search for him in San Francisco Chinatown, Ah Choy was traced to China, whither he had fled on a dead man's passport. The Chinese government refused to extradite, Sheriff Thornton said yesterday. Evidence of a furious struggle was found at the murder scene. From this and the condition of the body it was at first believed a large man of great strength committed the crime, the Sheriff said. The Chinese was comparatively frail. Sheriff Thornton attributed the slayer's abnormal power to narcotics.
San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, December 14, 1930 Col. 1
HUNT STRONG MAN IN DEATH OF ACTRESS
Pal of Slayer Sought on Theory That Lui Too Weak For Crime
Search for an accomplice- or perhaps the principal himself- in the murder of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, 75, wealthy amateur actress and hard-headed business woman, was under way last night, while the police continued emphatically to reiterate their belief in the guilt of Lui Fook, 63, her houseboy for ten years.
The hunt for a new suspect was spurred, it was said, by the theory of Dr. A.F. Moody, autopsy surgeon for the Coroner, that Mrs. Baker's chest was crushed in and she was throttled by a man much heavier and stronger than Lui.
Detective Allen McGinn, head of the homicide squad, made this remark, regarded as significant:
"When all the noise dies down, we may be able to go to work in earnest on another lead.
CHINESE DECLARED ILL
Tenants of the apartment house declared that for about ten days before Mrs. Baker's death Lui was so ill as to be almost unable to work. He is described as fairly tottering around the place and was advised frequently to go to bed, but replied he must "wait on the boss-missy."
Into the investigation also was injected a story that Mrs. Baker had always regarded with suspicion the death of her brother, Dr. Frank J. Bethel, Sacramento dentist, who willed her the bulk of his $300,000 fortune.
FAMILY ROW HINTED
Mrs. Baker told tenants that a "family row" was brewing over Dr. bethel's will, relatives, who had not been as generously remembered as she, having turned bitter toward her. She was to go to Sacramento in connection with the estate on the day she was murdered.
Stains on the floor of apartment 14, where Lui said he cut his finger while window washing, were not blood drops, it was found yesterday by Edward I. Sugarman, pathologist, employed by William J. Gloria and W.C.G. McDonnell, defense attorneys.
POLICE CITATION PLANNED
Barred from apartment 1, at 814 California street, occupied be Mrs. Baker, following a near fist fight with Detective McGinn, Gloria,
and McDonnell announced they would apply tomorrow to Judge J.J. Trabucco or Judge Lyle T. Jacks for a citation for the police. The lawyers expected the case to be settled on Tuesday.
Lui was confronted yesterday with an aged Chinese woman and asked if he had not given her some of his mistress' missing jewels. He replied that he had not seen her for thirteen months.
DIVORCE INDICATED
That Lincoln U. Grant, her business manager, might be divorced by Mrs. Margaret Grant, 1079 Ashbury street, was reported yesterday. Her attorney, J.F. Riley, said he did not expect the suit to be filed for some weeks.
Though Grant said he was living at the Ashbury street address, it was learned he left there several weeks ago at the insistence of his wife after he had sued her for $125,000 claimed as his profits in a building contracting business the couple operated.
San Francisco Chronicle
Monday, December 15, 1930 (Page 4)
BAKER MURDER HUNT CENTERS ON CASH, GEMS
Attorney Demands Search of Apartment as Fook Faces Indictment
An indictment charging Lui Fook, Chinese, with the murder of his wealthy and eccentric employer, Mrs. Rosetta Baker, will be asked of the County Grand Jury tonight, police announced yesterday.
At the same time it became known the investigation is broadening to include another suspect than the aged Chinese servitor. Police refused to discus this new turn of the case.
According to William J. Gloria, attorney for the accused celestial, Mrs. Baker was known to have kept a large sum of money by her. What became of this money and some valuable rings as yet unacounted for are points the attorney is endeavoring to have cleared up.
RAID PLEA REJECTED
Gloria made an unsuccessful attempt to persuade police to raid an apartment house at 1079 Ashbury street, owned and operated by Mrs. Margaret Grant, estranged wife of Lincoln U. Grant, who for several years was business manager for the slain woman.
Grant still retains garage space and a storeroom in the apartment house basement, although he has not been in the living quarters of the house for more than a month according to Mrs. Grant.
It was the storeroom Gloria asked police to look into, he said.
Mrs. Grant is positive Lui Fook did not kill his aged mistress, according to Gloria. Robert Travers, chief investigator of the Detective Service Bureau, employed by the attorney in Lui's behalf, quoted Mrs. Grant as saying: "It is absurd to accuse the Chinese."
HOLDS FOOK INNOCENT
"Lui had every opportunity to take both jewels and money from Mrs. Baker," Mrs. Grant said, according to Travers. "He could have taken a little at a time and she would scarcely have missed it. I have lived in China and know the Chinese and they are entirely trustworthy."
Whether he will call Mrs. Grant as a character witness for his client, Gloria declined to say.
EVIDENCE TOO CONCLUSIVE
Another suspect in the case would not remove suspicion from the Chinese, it was made clear. The evidence against him is too conclusive, police said.
Two of the important points on which police have based their charges against Lui can be disproved by the defense, Gloria announced last night. One is the piece of skin found near Mrs. Baker's body and which fit a cut on the Chinese's finger. The other are the scratches on Lui's face.
TREATED FOR CUT FINGER
We can prove by Mrs. Margaret Dix, the manager of the apartment house, that she treated Lui for his cut finger before the murder." Gloria asserted. "As for the scratches, Wallace Mdiddleton tells us that Lui's face was always more or less marked up because of the nature of work he had to do."
Middleton, Green Street Theater actor, was a friend of Mrs. Baker and a frequent visitor at her home. He was also a member of a gay party with Mrs. Baker the night berore she was murdered.
San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, December 16, 1930 (Page 4)
PHONE CALL NEW CLUE IN BAKER MURDER
Grand Jury Convenes to Consider Indictment of Celestial
That the strangler of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, wealthy and eccentric amateur actress, used the telephone in hr apartment, 814 California street, after the murder a week ago yesterday, and in his haste to flee left the receiver off the hook, was the startling assertion last night by William J. Gloria, attorney for Lui Fook, accused slayer.
Gloria's sensational disclosure came as the Grand Jury met to consider indicting Lui at the urging of the police.
TELEPHONE FOUND ON BED
Regarding the telephone clue, Gloria said he had received information that the instrument was found upright on Mrs. Baker's bed. He declared it had been placed there after she was dragged to the floor and strangled with a sheet.
The attorney was engaged in searching telephone records in an effort to trace the call and ascertain the time the telephone went "dead."
The witnesses subpoenaed for the Grand Jury hearing were Lincoln U. Grant, Mrs. Baker's man-of-affairs; Mrs. Rae Dix, manager of the apartment house at the time of the murder; Mrs. Walker Coleman Graves, who attended a dinner and theater party with Mrs. Baker; Wallace Middleton, Green street Theater actor, and Arthur Beale, pianist at the playhouse, the night before the murder; Middleton and Beale themselves, and Detectives Allen McGinn, head of the homicide squad; George Engler and Harry Husted.
CORONER'S SIFT TODAY
More sensations are expected at the coroner's inquest today, for Gloria plans to subject every witness to a grilling cross-examination in the belief that he will develop a lead to Lui's innocence.
Those who have been subpoenaed by the Coroner are Grant, Mrs. Dix, Middleton, Beale, Joseph Anderson, attorney for Mrs. Baker's relatives; Edward I. Sugarman, pathologist for the defense; Detective Frank La Tulipe, criminologist for the police department; Detectives McGinn, Husted and Engler of the homicide squad, and Detective Arthur Lahey, who was present when jewelry missing from Mrs. Baker's apartment was found under a heap of rubbish in the basement.
OTHER GEMS FOUND
The last of Mrs. Baker's missing jewels was found yesterday morning when Grant, as executor of the estate, and Joseph Susick, representing the City Treasurer's office, opened her safe deposit box in a downtown bank.
In it were an $8000 man's diamond ring and a $450 diamond stud, both left her by her brother, the late Dr. Frank J. Bethel. In the box also were securities amounting to $250,000 and bank books showing she had $12,000 on deposit in two banks.
San Francisco Chronicle
Wednesday, December 17, 1930 (Page 1, Col. 3)
Juries Split on Actress Strangling
NEW MYSTERY VEIL THROWN ON SLAYING
Counsel for Lui Fook and Coroner Leland in Clash
Into the case of Lui Fook, 62, Chinese houseboy, held by the police on a charge of murdering his mistress, Mrs. Rosetta Baker, wealthy and eccentric amateur actress, came last night a sharp division between the authorities conducting the investigation.
Though the Grand Jury voted to indict Lui, a Coroner's jury returned a verdict practically pointing the finger of suspicion in another direction.
Comes to Death by Injuries Secondary to Strangling
"We find," read the verdict, "that Mrs. Rosetta Baker came to her death by multiple injuries to the head and body secondary to strangling, inflicted by a person or persons unknown."
This served but to throw an added veil of mystery around the sensational case.
Leland Threatens to Bar Lui's Lawyer From Inquiry
The day was filled with startling developments, among them being:
The inquest was stormy until Coroner Leland, demanding that Gloria conduct himself in a "quieter and more orderly manner," threatened to bar him from the inquiry. The Coroner made this statement after he had been told by august L. Fourtner, assistant District At-
(Continued on Page 5, Col. 1)
San Francisco Chronicle, Wednesday, December 17, 1930 Page 5
Row Between Coroner and Gloria Features Inquest in Actress ???
Central Figures in Mystery Strangling of Aged San Francisco Actress (This over photo)
CHINESE SIX COMPANIES TO AID LUI FOOK
Stormy Clashes Subside After Leland Threatens S. F. Attorney
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 3.)
torney, that Gloria could legally be excluded.
Mrs. Rae Dix, manager of the California street apartment house at
the time of the murder, who was the first witness, told of being called by Lui when he discovered the body. She called the police. She thought Lui had either "quit or been discharged by Mrs. Baker."
CLASHES WITH LELAND
At the word "discharged," Gloria attempted to question Mrs. Dix. Told by Dr. Leland that he was not allowed to question witnesses, the attorney retorted:
"We're here to see that Lui gets a fair trial."
"I see you are on of those fighting attorneys," the Coroner answered.
More words passed before Gloria took his seat.
Mrs. Dix said that Lui often remarked that "boss-missy will be choked for her diamonds and I will be blamed." Grant heard Lui's remark several times and reported it to Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Dix said, but they all laughed it off.
NEVER HEARD THREATS
Mrs. Baker had had trouble with her other houseboys, but Mrs. Dix never heard of them threatening her.
Grant was questioned closely by the Coroner as to his whereabouts the night of the murder. Dr. Leland insisted on minute details as to Grant's movements.
Mrs. Baker's business manager said he went to Oakland on the Friday afternoon before the murder, returned to San Francisco that day and crossed again Saturday, remaining at Mrs. Ward's house until Monday.
LETTER AS PROOF
He said before boarding the Southern Pacific ferry on that date, he went to a garage for his car, adding:
"I have a letter to prove I was there. How does that look?"
Grant said he received his mail at the general delivery because of trouble with his wife. He gave his address as 1038 Clayton street. He could not remember the name of an attorney he and Mrs. Baker were to visit in Sacramento on the day she was murdered, but thought it was Smith.
DISSATIFIED WITH GRANT
Middleton, the actor, after testifying to Mrs. Baker's intention to make a new will, said she was dissatisfied with Grant because she thought he had collected too large a commission in a trade of her Sacramento ranch for an apartment house at Hyde and Pacific streets.
The actor, who was a protégé of Mrs. Baker and accompanied her on a dinner and theater party the night before the murder, quoted her as saying about Grant:
"He'd better look out. The way my will is now he will have plenty for the rest of his life, and he knows it."
GRANT HEARS REMARK
Grant, who was around the corner of the corridor in the apartment
house, heard this remark, Middleton said.
On another occasion, Middleton said, Mrs. Baker said her relations with Grant "were strictly business" and that he did not like her.
Coroner Leland, intimating he considered Middleton a backward witness, asked why "we have had to draw all at this out of you."
Dr. A. F. Moody, who conducted the autopsy, said Mrs. Baker's death was due to a terrific beating and that she had been strangled with bare hands before the sheet was knotted around her neck. He said she apparently was a powerfully built woman and put up a terrific fight.
FINDS PIECE OF SKIN
Detective George Engler told of finding the body, the piece of skin fitting the wound on Lui's index finger- a wound Dr. E. L. Rixford Jr. of the Central Emergency Hospital said was only eight hours old, according to the detective- of discovering the lost heel to Lui's shoe, of a button from his blouse and gray hairs on trousers found soaking in the basement.
He declared discrepancies as to time had been found in Lui's statement and added: "The police are not covering up anything, we have nothing to conceal.
QUICK VERDICT
The verdict was returned forty minutes after the jury retired.
Howard J. McDowd was the foreman.
Mrs. Ward at whose home Grant said he stayed from Saturday until
Monday is believed to be the wife of Captain D. LI. Ward, Mrs. Grant's first husband, who has been sought since his indictment by the county Grand Jury in April, 1928 on thirty counts charging grand thefts, totaling more than $30,000. Captain Ward represented himself as an investment broker.
ASKS FOR FAIR PLAY
Determined to see fair play for Lui, the Six Companies announced
yesterday through Peter H. Wang, its secretary, that McNab, its attorney, had been asked to watch all proceedings. As McNab sailed for Honolulu yesterday, he instructed his associates, Robert Littler and S. C. Wright , to safeguard Lui's interests.
The Six Companies, according to Wang, has made no move to raise a defense fund, but will do so if it is found necessary. The officers and directors, Wang added, reached the conclusion at a meeting last Saturday night that there was grave doubt as to Lui' s guilt.
"We are not trying to interfere with the law," he said, but we want to see justice done and we do not want the name of our people hurt."
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, December 18, 1930 (Page 1.)
"REAL" STRANGLER OF ACTRESS TRAILED
MYSTERY TIP STARTS HUNT IN EAST BAY
Defense Counsel Employs Private Detective to Seek Slayer
The trail of the real murderer of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, wealthy, eccentric amateur actress, was declared to gave been uncovered last night.
Acting on a mysterious tip, investigators for the defense of Lui Fook 63, Chinese houseboy, accused by the police, rushed across the bay, making every effort to shake off any who might follow them.
Private Detective Silent On Search in East Bay
Robert J. Trevers, head of the Detective Service Bureau, retained by William 3. Gloria and W. C. G. McDonnell, Lui's attorneys, declined to say what information sent him in search of the powerful person who throttled Mrs. Baker in her apartment at 814 California street and then unmercifully crushed in her chest and ribs.
To questions as to whether it was a man or a woman- a woman whose hatred and envy had been aroused by some act of Mrs. Baker-Trevers refused to return an answer.
Search Launched for Former Protege of Mrs. Baker On information obtained by Professor Chauncey McGovern, defense criminologist, search was also launched last night for a young suspect, described as a discarded protege of Mrs. Baker.
Professor McGovern said his informant a former woman tenant in the California street apartment house, related a number of instances where the wealthy eccentric interested herself in youths and when she lost interest in them turned on them and caused them trouble. In one instance, according to the professor, she brought about the arrest of a young man on a trumped up charge of theft.
"When the young man we seek is found," said Professor McGovern," we believe he will be found to be a narcotic addict."
Detective McGinn Exchanges Heated Words With Leland
This sudden and sensational move on the part of the defense followed the exchange of heated words between Detective Allen McGinn, in charge of the police investigation, and Coroner T. B. W. Leland over the conduct of the inquest on Tuesday. The jury refused to accuse Lui, although the Grand Jury indicted the Chinese Monday night.
"Dr. Leland," McGinn said, "had no right to turn the inquest into a trial."
"As usual, he exceeded his authority and used unfair tactics to get the police to disclose their whole case prematurely
"Who does he think he is?
"He took advantage of us and asked questions he had no right to ask.
"When Detective George Engler was on the stand Leland followed his usual procedure and did everything he could to spoil our case." Dr. Leland's reply was equally as tart in denying that he had 6pset the police calculations. The Coroner
(Continued on Page 7, Col. 6)
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday December 18, 1930 (Page 7)
"Real" Strangler Trailed
East Bay Mystery Hunt On
(Continued from Page 1, Col .1)
answered McGinn in this fashion:
"There certainly was no intention to spoil the case for the police.
"I understand from the newspapers and from what I have heard that the public is not satisfied with the investigation as conducted by the police."
PROTECTION TO PUBLIC
"I simply tried to get at the bottom of the matter and see whether the evidence against Lui warranted charging him with the crime.
'The Coroner's jury is for the protection of the public. It frequently is not well for the police to have full charge of an investigation leading up to a prosecution."
Despite Coroner Leland's reply and the growing conviction reported throughout practically every section of San Francisco that the frail, sickly Lui had not the strength to commit the brutal murder, the police declared they would stand pat.
POLICE STANDING PAT
"We are not looking for anyone else," said Captain Charles Dullea of the Detective Bureau. "We are going ahead and prosecute Lui."
All Chinatown began rallying to the support of Lui, convinced of his innocence. Young China, the daily newspaper of the Oriental quarter, sent word to Gloria that it had started a movement for a defense fund. And that it had arranged to give Chinese dainties served to the aged houseboy in his City Prison cell.
BELIEVES LUI INNOCENT
T. J. Gintjee, 672 Clay street, a power in the Six Companies, declared emphatically that, from his knowledge of Chinese character, he was certain Lui was not the murderer.
"It is an old Chinese superstition," said Gintjee, "that a murderer must flee at once from the scene of his crime and never return. Should he return, he would be seized by the spirit of his victim in the form of a devil."
Besides, Gintjee pointed out, Lui was a devoted and trusted servant, who had put up for years with the eccentricities of Mrs. Baker without ever becoming disgruntled.
CONDUCTS INQUIRY
The Six Companies, according to Gintjee, is conducting a thorough investigation to satisfy itself as to Lui's innocence or quilt. If the powerful Chinese organization, which has branches all over the United States, reaches the conclusion an injustice is about to be done, it will raise a defense fund and direct its attorney, John L. McNab,to take an active part in the defense of Lui in association with Gloria;
S. C. Wright, McNab's last; associate, declaring it "inconceivable that Lui did anything of the kind, said emphatically:
"We don't believe it for a moment."
CHARGES OF THREATS
Charges of threats by Lincoln U. Grant, Mrs. Baker's man of affairs, were contained in the answer of his wife, Mrs. Margaret Grant, 1079 Ashbury street, to his suit for $125,000, claimed as half of the profits of her building contracting business. The answer, drafted by Attorney J. F. Riley, asserts that Lincoln once said to his wife:
"I want money and I'm going to get it. There is nothing to which I will not stoop." The answer adds that he threatened, unless his wife gave him money, he
would not leave her a bed to sleep on." Mrs. Grant denies the contracting business was a partnership.
MOVEMENTS CHECKED
Grant's accounts of his movements before and on the night of Mrs. Baker's murder were confirmed yesterday by Mrs. D. H. Ward, wife of a former husband of Mrs. Grant. Mrs. Ward said he arrived at her home, 1516 First avenue, Oakland, on the Friday before the killing and remained until Monday morning discussing her business affairs with her. She said he had a room reserved in her house for his visits to Oakland.
Grant testified before the Coroner's jury that he crossed the bay on the Friday before the murder, returned to this city on Saturday and then went back to Oakland on the same day.
While the police and the Coroner engaged in their clash, investigators delving into police records, began to wonder if what they called the "curse of the Green Street Theater" played any part in Mrs. Baker's murder.
They found that hers was the sixth violent death in the chain that began with the notoriously suggestive farce, "Easy for Zee-Zee, which ended its run after the prohibition agents raided the Gigolette Cafe, eating and drinking annex of the playhouse.
FERRI 'PUT ON SPOT'
The first of the deaths was when Jerri Ferri, Chicago racketeer, who came to San Francisco to become the Don Juan of the underworld, rum runner and hijacker, was "put on the spot' in his apartment, 490 Lombard street, on November 24, 1928.
Fern was a sweetheart of Naana Wartova, who starred in "Easy for Zee-Zee" under her stage name of Elaine Worth and made her home in his apartment until a few days before he was riddled with gangsters' bullets. Fern's slayer never was caught.
GANGSTER FOUND SLAIN
Next Alfredo Scariso, a New York gangster, who, the police said put his partner, Fern, "on the spot," was found riddled with bullets on a side road near Sacramento on December 19, 1928. Frank Boca, the "strong man of the Sicilians," shows up in the police records as the suspected slayer.
Boca concealed Scariso when he was in flight from the police after the murder of Ferri.
Less than a year later, on July 28,1929, Boca himself was "taken for a ride," his slug-filled body being found in his car on the dunes near the ocean.
Then Robert: Chapman, leading man in "Easy for Zee-Zee," died in a mysterious plunge from a sixth floor apartment at 245 Leavenworth street, on August 21, 1929.
HOST OF HOFFMAN
Chapman's host at the time, Arthur A. Hoffman, a playwright, said he was slugged with brass knuckles when he refused two strangers liquor and when he recovered his senses the actor was lying dead at the bottom of the lightwell. This mystery was never completely cleared up.
Don Gennaro Broccolo, the "Magnificent," who was under investigation in the Fern slaying, was the next to fall victim to a gun wielder. He was shot by Ralph Esposito, 2780 Twenty-third street, on October 13, last.
LEVYING OF BLACKMAIL
Esposito and other Italians said Broccolo had levied blackmail on them for years. The police believe Broccolo, in order to have the whole field of racketeering to himself, murdered Boca after Ferri and Scariso had been put away.
And so the investigators, with this bloody record to scan, asked themselves:
"Can Mrs. Baker have been a victim of the curse of the Green Street Theater?"
They base their question on the admission of Wallace Middleton, youthful actor at the playhouse, that he was one of the proteges of Mrs. Baker and that he escorted her to the theater the night before her murder.
San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, December 19, 1930 (Page 1.)
FIEND LINKED TO STRANGLING BY FERRY CLUE
Trail Turns Definitely to Narcotics Underworld in Baker Slaying
Search for the murderer of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, rich and eccentric amateur actress and "mother" to young playboys, turned definitely last night to the narcotics underworld.
Information gathered by investigators for the powerful Chinese Six Companies and for the defense of Liu Fook, 63, Mrs.. Baker's houseboy, sent squads of private detectives on a hunt on both sides of the bay for "a powerfully built, eccentric-looking and odd-acting man."
Trail of Murder Suspect Uncovered by Detective
"We have succeeded in uncovering the trail of this man, whom we believe to be the murderer," said Robert Trevers, head of the Detective Service Bureau, employed by William J. Gloria, attorney for Liu.
He was an odd-looking; individual and asked for a "lift" to Oakland from a truck driver on one of the auto ferries between 2 and 6 a.m. on Monday, December 8.
"He talked excitedly, almost irrationally, and we are told he had what resembled bloodstains on his clothes."
Trevers Refuses to Divulge Any Description of Suspect
Trevers refused to say whether the suspect was white or a negro.
He immediately set several squads of operatives at work on both
sides of the bay.
Trever's disclosure was made coincidental with the announcement by T. J. Gintjee, 672 Clay street, legal representative of the Six Companies, that his organization, too, had uncovered a narcotics trail.
Man and Woman Reveal Narcotics Play Part in Crime
He called a meeting of newspaper men to ask their help in the offices of S. C. Wright, associate of John B. McNab, counsel for the Six Companies, and told then a man and a woman whose names were withheld had provided valuable information indicating that narcotics played a major part: in the crime.
While asserting that the Six Companies took an impartial stand, Gintjee declared a growing belief
(Continued on Page 6, Col. 2)
San Francisco Chronicle, Friday December 19, 1930 (Page 6)
Fiend Linked to Actress' Death
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 4)
in the innocence of Liu because of the absence of the following four basic motives for murder:
1- ROBBERY: This theory does not hold up, as Liu had handled Mrs. Baker's money affairs frequently and had easy access to her cash and jewels.
2- JEALOUSY: A man of 63 would hardly be the suitor of a woman of 75.
3- HOSTILITY: Liu was Mrs. Baker's confidential servant and their relations were more than friendly throughout his service.
The trousers, given to Liu by a former tenant and found soaking in a bucket of water two days after the murder, Gintjee declared an obvious plant.
At the end of the day Gloria was jubilant.
"Liu will have a Christmas present of his freedom," he said.
FIELD DAY FOR LIU
Yesterday was a field day for the aged Chinese houseboy.
First of all he heard Municipal Judge Lazarus tell the police their case was too weak to hold Liu on a murder charge.
Next the Grand Jury reversed itself and refused to return the indictment it voted last Monday night.
Then Liu had his first "square meal" since he was put in the City Prison. It was a repast of Chinese delicacies- roast duck was the piece de resistance- and was carried to him by Peter Wong, secretary of the Six Companies.
PAIR CHOPSTICKS
With the meal was a pair of chopsticks and these seemed to bring back Liu's appetite, for he ate voraciously.
The Grand Jury's about face came in the midst of the proceedings in Judge Lazarus' court. Thirteen of the Grand Jurors voted not to indict and four stood by the original action.
Then the vote was made unanimous and it was ordered that all reference to Liu's case be expunged from the records. It was the last official act of the Grand Jury before it was discharged by Presiding Judge C. J. Goodell of the Superior Court.
CHANGE OF HEART
"It is the general feeling among the public," Foreman John P. Murphy said in explaining the jury's action, "that Liu is too old and not strong enough to have crushed and beaten Mrs. Baker so horribly. On reconsideration, the Grand Jury took that view, too.
"We were also influenced by the refusal of Lui's attorney to let the Chinese tell his story to us. That made us feel that perhaps we had not obtained all the facts.
"So we decided to clean our slate and pass the matter along to the next Grand Jury if it cares to take it up."
Declaring he "would never hold Liu Fook on such a weak case," Judge Lazarus was in the midst of giving his views when word of the Grand Jury action was received.
"Nothing like the power of the press!" exclaimed the Judge.
Then he instructed Detective Allen McGinn, head of the homicide squad, to file a complaint against Liu. By agreement with Gloria, this will be done next Monday.
SMART POLICE MOVE
Asserting his belief that the police had taken the case to the Grand Jury to obviate a preliminary hearing in the municipal courts, Judge Lazarus said"
"If this case had come before me for action, I would have dismissed it several days ago. I assume the police took it to the Grand Jury because they knew I would throw it out of court."
The Judge added he would consider a motion to dismiss if the police did not present a stronger case.
VICTORY FOR TRUTH
The Grand Jury reversal was characterized by Gloria and his associate, W.C.C. McDonnell, as "a victory for truth over suspicion and a triumph for justice in San Francisco."
Detective McGinn refused to admit he was disappointed, adding:
"The people of San Francisco are the ones to be disappointed, I am merely a police officer, charged with apprehending criminals and punishing crime."
NEW BOOKING MADE
After the Grand Jury and court proceedings, Liu was booked again at the City Prison by S. F. Endicott, immigration inspector, as "en route to Angel Island." This action, it was explained at Immigration headquarters, was a mere formality, taken in view of the Monday night vote of the Grand Jury to indict. When the immigration authorities learned of the reversal, they admitted they were in a perplexity.
Liu Fook Tells of loyalty to "Boss-Missy"
Easy to Have Stolen Cash, Gems, He Says
Servant Silent on Personal Habits of Slain Actress
By LIU FOOK
As Interpreted by Peter Wong, Secretary of the Chinese Six Companies
(Throughout the following statement runs a strain of Chinese loyalty to a mistress, though she be dead. All questions regarding Mrs. Baker's private life was deftly parried that not a stain be cast by a good servant on the memory of the deceased.)
Mrs. Baker treated me like a brother. Would I kill a woman who had been like a sister to me?
Always we were good friends throughout the nine years and three months I worked for her. Often she laughed and joked with me. Often she would hand me checks to cash, some of them for hundreds of dollars, and she would say:
"Now, don't run away with the money, Liu, I need you too much."
Then we would both laugh at the joke.
The police say I killed Mrs. Baker for her diamonds- to get money. How foolish!
HAD FORTUNE IN RINGS
Once I had $9,500 of her diamond rings. I could have run away with them. I could have sold them and gone to China, where I would be a rich man. Nine thousand dollars in America is about $30,000 in China.
At other times I have collected rents for Mrs. Baker and if I had
wanted to rob her I could done it easily at any time. But I was a member of the family. She trusted me.
Mr. Grant (Mrs. Baker's business manager) called on her four or five times a week. I do not know what they talked about and I do not know what their relations were. I did not listen to them.
NEVER HEARD QUARREL
I never heard them quarrel.
Some people say Mrs. Baker had dealings with narcotics users and
some even say she had formed the habit herself. That is not true! It is not so!
Several young men used to call on Mrs. Baker in the evenings. She was lonesome and liked company. I do not know what they talked about or what they did. I did not listen.
The night of the murder I slept in my room in the basement of the
apartment house. I went to bed about 12:30 or 1 o'clock. I went right to sleep. I did not hear anything and so I would not know if anyone was around the house at night.
I am Chinese. If I had killed Mrs. Baker I would not have been there when the body was found and the police came. I would have run far, far away. That is the way Chinese do.
When the police came I told them that. "They pulled and shoved me around, but I said to them: "I will not run away. I will stay right here. So they let loose of me and I did not run away."
San Francisco Chronicle Saturday, December 20, 1930 (Page 1)
ACTRESS' PAST FACES ATTACK IN WILL FIGHT
Disinherited Relatives Plan Contest on Estate of Mrs. Baker
Making highly sensational charges regarding the life their aunt led, Mrs. David Ruth, (Root.) Oakland, and Mrs. Hazel Cox, San Francisco, nieces of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, wealthy eccentric patroness of amateur theatricals, "mother" to dapper young playboys, announced their intention last night of contesting her $500,000 will.
The will contest is expected to be filed today. It is understood that it will charge the 75-year-old amateur actress, who was throttled and crushed to death in her apartment at 814 California street, was in such a condition that she was "easily influenced and of unsound mind."
Niece Says Mrs. Baker Held Under Some Spell
"We know our aunt was not herself when she drew her will," said Mrs. Ruth through her husband last night, "we think she had been kept under some sort of a spell."
Robert J. Trevers, private detective for the defense, and Detectives Allen McGinn and George Engler had a short-lived sensation on their hands when Clarence A. Replogle, representing himself as an Eastern newspaper man, told a story that pointed the finger of suspicion to a new suspect.
Replogle, After Grilling, Admits Falsity of Story
But Replogle, after rigid questioning, broke down and admitted
his story was a fabrication, the police said.
"I was broke, out of work and hungry," he said, "and I thought
the defense would give me some money."
Replogle was turned over to the police by William J. Gloria, atttorney for Liu Fook, aged Chinese houseboy, accused of the murder by the police.
"Fake" Story Tells of "Odd-acting Individual"
The So-called "fake" story was to the effect that Replogle saw an "eccentric, odd-acting individual" on a ferry boat bound from Oakland to San Francisco at 10 o'clock on the Sunday night before the murder. Trevers has been seeking a man answering that description.
Liu's case before Municipal Judge Lazarus was set for 2 o'clock Mon-
(Continued on Page 2, Col. 7)
San Francisco Chronicle Saturday, December 20, 1930 (Page 2)
ACTRESS' PAST FACES ATTACK
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 6)
day afternoon at a conference with the police yesterday. At its conclusion Captain Charles Dullea of the detective bureau announced
"We will present convincing evidence to prove that Liu and nobody
else committed the crime."
PROMISES FAIR HEARING
Judge Lazarus told the police that if they had no better evidence than was presented to the Grand Jury he would entertain a motion to dismiss the case.
"Liu must have a fair hearing," the Judge said. The police must put in enough evidence to justify a holding."
Convinced of the aged houseboy's innocence, the Chinese Six Companies has set its powerful machine to work to free him, according to T. M. Gintjee, legal advisor of the organization.
Attorney John L. McNab will be asked to take an active part in Liu's defense, Gintjee said.
MANY BUSY ON CASE
Private investigators have been employed in large numbers and are
investigating the associations and life histories of everyone known to have been acquainted with Mrs. Baker.
Professor Chauncy McGovern, criminologist for the defense, said that several prominent society women were under questioning in the belief they could provide information leading to the murderer.
Gloria and the immigration authorities clashed in the morning at the City Prison when Inspector Thomas Donohue attempted to question Liu as to how he entered this country.
AROUSES GLORIA'S IRE
"What's the big idea? Angrily demanded Gloria when he found
Donohue, Young Kay, an interpreter, and C. J. Scanlon, a short-hand reporter, closeted with the Chinese.
Gloria refused to let the questioning proceed, and Donohue left to get further orders from John D. Nagle, immigration commissioner.
San Francisco Chronicle, Monday, December 22, 1930 (Page 1)
COURT BATTLE OPENS TODAY IN BAKER MURDER
Police Promise Evidence to Hold Chinese; Defense Traces New Clue
Evidence described as definitely linking the murder of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, wealthy and eccentric amateur actress, with the narcotics underworld sent private investigators into the East Bay on a new clue yesterday as counsel for the slain woman's aged houseboy, Liu Fook, whom police charge with the crime prepared an attempt to tear down the State's "perfect case" against him in Municipal Court today.
Robert Trevers, criminal investigator for the defense, announced he had uncovered information tending to prove that Mrs. Baker was under the influence of narcotics when she was beaten and strangled to death in her apartment, 814 California street, on the morning of December 8.
Attorney Claims Provider Of Narcotics Throttled Woman
"I hope to prove," he said, "that a person close to Mrs. Baker obtained narcotics for her and that this person attacked and throttled her while she lay under the influence of the drugs. I also hope to trace the movements of this person sufficiently to reconstruct the crime, and I believe it will be possible to prove that the blood-stained rings found in the basement were placed there to throw suspicion on Liu Fook."
Trevers did not divulge the source of his information.
Second Clue Investigator's Hope of Tracing Murderer
His colleague, Chauncey McGovern, criminologist, announced "pleasing developments" in another narcotics clue obtained from a San Francisco society matron, whose name he refused to make public.
"I hope to have something tangible within a few days," he said.
Meanwhile, John C. Rafferty, State narcotics agent, prepared to question Lincoln U. Grant, Mrs. Baker's man of affairs, regarding allegations of some of the slain woman's relatives that Grant new of her purported addiction to drugs.
State Agent Will Question Grant Regarding Suit Charges
The charges were contained in a will contest filed Saturday by two nieces of the
dead woman, Mrs. Lorraine Root, 176 Athol avenue, Oakland, and Mrs. Hazel Ardeen Cox, 350 Dewey boulevard, San Francisco.
"If the assertions in the will suit are true," said Rafferty yesterday, "Grant must know a whole lot more
(Continued on Page 3, Gel. 8)
San Francisco Chronicle, Monday, December 22, 1930 (Page 3)
UNDERWORLD CLUE TRACED IN BAKER CASE
Narcotics Purveyor Sought as Slayer of Actress After Struggle
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 3)
than he has told so far, I hope to get the facts tomorrow."
After a conference with Grant yesterday morning, his attorney, Joseph Webb, said his client had not been served with papers in the will contest. "When Grant is served, we will as soon as possible file an answer denying the charges, and let the matter go to trial," said Webb.
"It was a natural will. She gave her reasons for cutting off the nieces. Grant didn't draw the will, and didn't have anything to gain from it. He'd have been far better off if he had never been named Co-executor."
HEARING SET FOR TODAY
Both Captain of Detectives Charles W. Dullea and Attorney William
J. Gloria, counsel for the defense, yesterday promised "startling disclosures" for the Municipal Court hearing this afternoon. Answering the assertion of Judge Lazarus that he will "throw this case out of court" unless the police present something more than the "weak and flimsy evidence have revealed so far." Dullea announced that the prosecution will bring forth new and important facts in the chain of evidence against the Chinese.
"First," he said, "we will show a motive. Then we will prove beyond a doubt that Fook was in a terrific struggle with Mrs. Baker on the morning she was
murdered."
GLORIA PROMISES SURPRISE
"The police will have to show me," said Gloria. "I'll have a few
surprises myself. And if my plans work out, I may be able to point the finger of suspicion in another direction."
McGovern, armed with his kit of criminological equipment, will sit with Gloria in the courtroom, ready to examine any evidence submitted by the prosecution. The State will be represented by Assistant District Attorney Peter Mullins.
WITNESSES CALLED TO COURT
Witnesses scheduled to be questioned on the stand are: Grant,
Mrs. Walker Coleman Graves, friend of the slain woman, one of her companions at a theater party on the night before the murder; Walter P. Outler (known on the stage as Wallace Middleton), Green Street Theater actor and "protege" of Mrs. Baker; Arthur Beal, who with Outler, completed the theater party December 7, Mrs. Rae Dix,
apartment house manager, and Dr. A. N. Moody, city pathologist, who performed the autopsy over Mrs. Baker's body.
San Francisco Chronicle Tuesday, December 23, 1930 (Page 1)
"TRUTH EXPOSE" DEMANDED AT TRIAL OF LJU
Woman Reveals Death Hints of Chinese Houseboy Against Actress
While private detectives continued to search for the man they declare to be the real murderer of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, aged and wealthy patroness of playboys and amateur theatricals. Attorney William J. Gloria, defending Liu Fook, aged houseboy, accused by the police, declared in open court yesterday that "if the evidence points to Lincoln U. Grant or someone else," he would insist that "the whole truth be brought out."
Courtroom Thrilled by Demand For Wide-Open Hearing
Gloria's demand for a wide-open hearing electrified Judge Lazarus's courtroom, in which there was not a square inch of spare standing room.
Five policemen struggled with the throngs in corridors, before the hearing opened at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and when the last individual had been jammed into the courtroom they exerted their combined pressure to close the doors and lock them.
Motley Crowd Hears Opening Of Case Against Aged Celestial Numbers of Chinese- sedate men and women of the old regime and vivacious girls and boys of the new period- were in the audience. They were headed by Peter Wong, secretary of the Chinese Six companies, who watched the proceedings to report back to his organization.
When court adjourned until 2 o'clock this afternoon, defense attorneys considered they had scored with every prosecution witness- Mrs Ray Dix, manager of the apartment at the time of the murder, Dr. A.M. Moody, pathologist for Coroner Leland, and Dr. H. C. Rixford of the Central Emergency Hospital.
Doctor Describes Injuries That Resulted in Death of Woman
Mrs. Dix told of repeated predictions by Liu that his mistress would be strangled, but followed by saying she had dressed a scratch on his forehead , which the police said was inflicted in Mrs. Baker's death struggle.
For the first time Dr. Moody went into detail as to Mrs. Baker's death injuries, showing that she was literally crushed and pummeled to death. It is the contention of the defense that Liu was not powerful enough to have inflicted such frightful injuries. Dr. Rixford, who examined the aged Chinese shortly after his ar-
(Continued on Page 2, Col.2)
San Francisco Chronicle Tuesday , December 23, 1930 (Page 2)
Finger May Hold Murder Secret
(Photo here of Liu showing judge his finger)
Photo caption: The torn forefinger of Lui Fook, accused of slaying his employer, Mrs. Rosetta Baker, played an important part in yesterday's proceedings during the preliminary hearing of the celestial. Left to right shows Municipal Judge Lazarus examining Fook's finger while William J. Gloria, attorney for the defense, looks on. In the foreground is Patrick Hagen, court reporter.
Truth Expose Demanded for Liu
(Continued From Page 1, Col. 3)
rest, admitted the scratches on the old houseboy's face and the cut on his finger might not have been as fresh as he at first suspected.
The hearing had hardly got under way when it became evident it would be long drawn out, owing to the frequent clashes between Assistant District Attorney Mullins and Gloria.
Flanking Gloria were Chauncey McGovern, criminologist, who sat at a long table loaded with scientific instruments and books, and Attorneys W. C. G. McDonnell and Alfred Hennessy, associate counsel for the defense. Hennessy is a newcomer in Liu's battery of lawyers.
In McGovern's array of instruments were high-powered microscopes, slides for blood testing, tracers for following the whorls of fingerprints and delicate scales for weighing such minute exhibits as the piece of skin the police say they found beside Mrs. Baker's body-torn from Liu's finger in the death struggle, according to the theory of the homicide squad. Liu said he lost it from a cut on a broken pane while washing windows.
Mrs. Dix, now living at 838 Shrader street, the first witness, after telling of the finding of the body and the summoning of the police, tentatively identified a blue denim jacket and a pair of gray trousers found soaking in a bucket of water in the apartment house basement as belonging to the Chinese houseboy. She refused to say definitely they were Liu's.
Then, acting it out realistically, she related that at 10 o'clock on the night before the murder Liu made his prediction:
"Pretty soon they find her (Mrs. Baker) choked for her jewels."
Mrs. Dix showed how the aged houseboy had illustrated by twining his fingers around his own throat. She said he had made the strangling prediction six or eight times.
ATTORNEYS IN CLASH
Then, at the mention of Grant's name, followed one of the most heated clashes between lawyers during the hearing. Among the first of Gloria's questions was:
"Are you now in the employ of Grant?"
"No," snapped Mrs. Dix.
"Were you last week?"
"No, not that I know of," was the response, with evident anger, as Mullins shouted his objection.
"The issue," said the assistant District Attorney, "is whether Liu Fook committed the crime.
"Yes," interposed Gloria, but if the evidence points to Grant or someone else as the real murderer I expect you, as the assistant District Attorney wil1 want the whole truth brought out.
"Its is our purpose to show that Grant and perhaps others besides the Chinese had equal reason and opportunity to commit the crime."
Judge Lazarus stopped the vociferous argument by sustaining Mullins' objection to the line of questioning.
Mrs. Dix then told of washing the suspicious scratch on Liu's forehead and Gloria established that this had been done several days before the murder.
Dr. Moody, who conducted the autopsy for the Coroner, listed Mrs. Baker's injuries as follows:
Three broken teeth, indicating a terrific blow in the mouth, bruises on the right eye, forehead and under the left eye; crushed breastbone, eight fractured ribs, bruises on the throat and chest, and evidence in the throat of strangling.
STRUGGLE EVIDENCED
Under two finger nails of the right hand was coagulated blood and there was every evidence of a terrible struggle, the doctor said.
Mrs. Baker was surprisingly healthy and her bones were not brittle as in aged individuals, in spite of her 73 years, he testified in answer to questions by Gloria, whose evident purpose was to show that the frail Liu could not have crushed his mistress' body.
Dr. Rixford, Central Emergency Hospital interne, who examined Liu's cut finger and scratched face for the police and testified they were only about six or eight hours old, admitted that if the Chinese had his hand and face in water frequently they might be older.
HANDS UNBRUISED
Answering Gloria, he also said the old houseboy's hands bore no scratches or bruises such as might have been made by striking Mrs. Baker on the mouth.
The immigration authorities again tried to question Liu yesterday regarding his entrance to the United States and again Gloria balked them by ordering his client to say nothing.
According to E. L. Haff, deputy immigration commissioner, it is believed Liu came ashore while employed as a cabin boy on a transpacific liner and is therefore illegally in this country. The immigration men will try again after the preliminary hearing is over.
Mrs. Baker's murder caused the dismissal of a $25,000 damage suit against her by Superior Judge Mogan. Beatrice de Veer sued for injuries to a knee and her back caused, she said, when she slipped on the floor at the California street apartment house.
San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday, December 24, 1930 (Page 1)
NEW MRS. BAKER MURDER ROOM HUNTED
SIFTER SAYS WOMAN SLAIN OUTSIDE HOME
Defense Detective Says Killing Linked to Narcotics Underworld
That Mrs. Rosetta Baker, wealthy eccentric patroness of playboys and amateur theatricals, was killed outside her apartment at 814 California street and then stealthily taken there by the murderer in the dead of night was a theory on which investigators for the Chinese Six Companies were working last night.
This sensational development was disclosed by Peter Wong, secretary of the powerful Chinese organization at the end of the second day's preliminary hearing for Liu Fook, aged houseboy, accused by police of the murder.
Startling Declaration Made by Detective
It was followed by an equally startling declaration by Robert Travers, defense detective, that he had uncovered the "hottest trail yet found and it leads directly to the underworld of narcotics."
The belief that Mrs. Baker was murdered outside her apartment, Wong said, is based on the testimony of Mrs. Ray Dix, former manager of /at (?) the California street house, that she heard no sound of the apparently terrible struggle which preceded the slaying.
Mrs. Dix Could Hear Apartment Conversations
"Mrs. Dix occupied the next apartment," Wong said, "and she has said she could easily hear the sounds of conversation at Mrs. Baker's parties.
"If Liu killed his mistress, he must have beat her repeatedly with his fists and even have jumped up and down on the body, but Mrs. Dix heard nothing but a dull thud. Probably that thud was caused by the murderer dropping the body on the floor after it was taken to the apartment."
Ramifications Declared Extended to Los Angeles
Asserting his narcotics clue had been picked up in the will contest filed by Mrs. Baker's nieces, Travers said its ramifications extended to Los Angeles, where it was being followed by two operatives, while three more were working in San Francisco and Oakland.
"We are trailing people close to Mrs. Baker and to a certain narcotics ring, Trevers declared, adding he expected to name them in a few days.
Liu's second day in Municipal Judge Lazarus' court witnessed another mad scramble by a jostling, shoving crowd to gain admittance.
Policeman's Testimony Links Chinese to Crime
The police placed great reliance in the testimony of Patrolman Jerome Fitzgerald that Liu had threatened his mistress and of Dr. A.O'Neill, City Physician, regarding an injury to the houseboy's right forefinger.
Fitzgerald, classed as a "surprise witness," said that late in last September he was called to Mrs. Baker's apartment by a telephone appeal to the Central police station.
Mrs. Baker said Liu had threatened to get even with her" after she had discharged him for insolence.
Fitzgerald added that he ordered Liu to get his clothes and leave. The aged Chinese insisted he be allowed to take the patent lock off his room in the basement, saying he had bought it, but this the policeman said he refused to permit.
When Fitzgerald Came Back Liu Was There
When Fitzgerald returned to the apartment house on October 18 to
serve a summons on a tenant, he found Liu there and assumed he had been re-employed by Mrs. Baker William J. Gloria, attorney for the defense with Alfred J. Hennessy and W. C. C. O'Donnell, objected loudly to the policeman's "assumption," but was overruled by Judge Lazarus.
Dr. O'Neill, who dressed Liu's Finger after the arrest, said the nail was slightly raised and blood had begun to coagulate under it, apparently from a bruise that might have been caused by striking something. The doctor said the cut and the injury to the nail seemed to have been suffered at different times.
At this point Judge Lazarus was shown the photograph of the finger taken by the police and, passing it over to Dr. O'Neill, asked if it had the appearance of the skin having been torn off after theut. The doctor said it had.
This has been the story Liu has constantly held to.
After Patrolman Harry J. Layton, the first policeman on the murder scene had described the position of Mrs. Baker and the condition of the apartment he declared:
"The body was as warm as that of a living person."
Layton said he found a bloodstained sheet twisted around the
neck, with the body, partially nude,
(Continued on Page 5, Col. 2)
San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday, December 24, 1930 (Page 5)
Murder Suspect in Court (Headline for photograph)
(Photo caption:) Liu Fook, Chinese held by police for the murder of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, stolidly watches proceedings before Municipal Judge Lazarus, conducting the preliminary hearing. At right- Chauncey McGovern, criminologist with the microscope used in examining the evidence and William J. Gloria, chief counsel for Liu Look.
Baker Death Room Hunted
(Continued From Page 1, Col. l)
lying on the floor beside the bed, the bedclothes rumpled up at the foot and an unopened morning newspaper on the bed.
CLASH WITH GLORIA
Efforts by Detective Frank La Tulipe, police criminologist, to testify regarding hairs found on the trousers discovered in the basement, as to apurported bloodstain on the knee of the garment and bloodstains on the apartment door, brought on a clash with Gloria over the detectives qualifications as an expert.
The defense attorney insisted on knowing what authorities La Tulipe had read on human hair.
EXCHANGES HOT
The detective and the lawyer also had hot exchanges over La Tullipe's testimony that the spot on the trousers was blood, whether human or animal, he was not sure. La Tullipe said he had given the spot the "Benzadine test," but not until last Monday noon. Gloria, immediately objecting, asserted that such a test would not give results after two weeks and after the garment had been found soaking in a bucket of water, as the police declared.
The hairs found on the knee of these soaked trousers La Tulipe was quite sure were human hairs, but he would not say positively that they were from Mrs. Baker's head.
"They resembled her hair in texture and color," he added.
La Tulipe said the bit of skin the police said they found on the floor beside the body appeared to fit the wound on the end of Liu's finger.
The police criminologist declared his tests convinced him that smears on the apartment's door and around the bolt knob were blood. He declared no fingerprints were found in the apartment or around the lock.
Throughout La Tulipe's testimony Gloria kept up a fire of objections until Judge Lazarus called a halt, saying:
"Stop bickering. It is not making any impression on my mind and
is just wasting time.
"No one item of evidence has been introduced here to show quilt,
but the culmination of all the links might be of value."
EVIDENCE ADMITTED
On this basis, the Judge admitted in evidence the bit of finger skin, the gray flannel trousers and blue shirt found in a bucket of water in the basement, the part of a heel from Liu's shoe and a shirt button, said by the police to have been found in the apartment after the murder.
Then came another wrangle over how and when Chauncey McGovern, defense criminologist, should be allowed to examine the exhibits. McGovern wanted to do it right there in court, having brought his high power microscopes, blood slides, delicately balanced scales and ponderous scientific books into court where he sat beside defense attorneys.
WILL TEST EXHIBITS
But it was finally agreed he should test the exhibits this morning with
Detective La Tulipe in the police laboratory on top of the Hall of Justice. In the midst of the argument over admitting as exhibits the purported garments of Liu, Associate Attorney Hennessy shouted:
"How many pairs of gray flannel trousers and how many blue shirts are there in the world?"
Judge Lazarus agreed there were many.
Detective George Engler, one of the chief police investigators,
testified that Liu had admitted ownership of the bucket in which the clothes were found. He said the apartment house had two basement doors, which were always unlocked.
His testimony brought out another clash, when Gloria asked the detective if he had not authorized Lincoln U. Grant, Mrs. Baker's man of affairs, and Mrs. Dix to search for murder clues in the apartment house basement, where, besides the houseboy's garments, the missing jewels of the aged woman were found. Vociferous objections by Peter A Mullins, Assistant District Attorney, were sustained.
QUESTION RULED OUT
Engler said the aged Chinese had told him the piece of skin had been thrown in a slopbucket and then into the garbage can. The detective's attempt to tell how Liu hid his hand in his overcoat pocket when being questioned at the Hall of Justice was ruled out. Attempts to trace the gray trousers and the blue shirt to John Novo, 1813 Mason street, former tenant of apartment 14-where Liu said he cut his finger- failed, for Novo said he could not positively identify the garments as his. The police have said that Novo either gave them to the Chinese or Liu picked them up after Novo moved away about November 15.
LEFT NO CLOTHES
Novo said he left no clothes behind him. He also testified he broke the window in the apartment, leaving a crack extending from top to bottom of the sash
The hearing, which attracted an even greater and more cosmopolitan crowd than on the opening day, was continued by Judge Lazarus until 2 o'clock next Monday.
In the throng, which stood for two hours outside the court and stretched in lines three deep the entire length of the corridor, fashionably dressed women were shoved about by shabbily dressed members of the jobless army, seeking warmth and a place to rest.
CLERGYMEN ATTEND
Vivacious Chinese "flappers" chattered beside their more stolid mothers, while a number of clergymen came early to get front seats.
The spectators over flowed every inch of space and even crowded into the prisoners' dock. When the court room was squeezed full, the police locked the doors.
In the crowd were John C. Rafferty, State narcotic agent, who said he hoped to gain some clue to the narcotism to which Mrs. Baker is accused of being addicted in the will contest.
San Francisco Chronicle Thursday, December 25, 1930 (Page 1)
Liu Fook Release Hinted
EVIDENCE GIVEN BY STATE HELD OVERRATED
Judge Likely to Demand Defense Testimony Before Decision
With evidence "practically all presented" against Liu Fook, accused of murdering his employer, Mrs. Rosetta Baker, Municipal Judge Lazarus last night indicated he will order the old servant's release unless new and more conclusive facts linking Liu with the murder are submitted.
Captain of Detectives Charles Dullea said the police case is practically all in." The prosecution has been presenting evidence to Judge Lazarus for two days.
Says Police Have Failed To Prove Case So Far
"So far they (the police) have failed to prove their case against the Chinese," Judge Lazarus said. "Evidence submitted to date has been purely circumstantial and rather remote. There is not one single item, when considered alone that points to Liu as the murderer.
"Perhaps police have other evidence to reveal. I am retaining an open mind on the case until all evidence is in. Even if police should close their case tomorrow, it is probable I would demand that the defense present its case also before making a decision.
Dullea Expects to Call But Two More Witnesses
Captain Dullea said he has several more witnesses, but expects to call only two of them. Their testimony is largely along the same line as already submitted, he said.
Captain Dullea and the homicide squad have "apparently overrated" the evidence given, Judge Lazarus commented.
"They apparently put great faith in the testimony of Patrolman Jerome Fitzgerald," the magistrate said. Fitzgerald testified Mrs. Baker told him Liu had threatened to get even with her after she discharged him.
Asserts Evidence by Fitzgerald Offset
"Police evidently hoped to establish a motive for the murder by this testimony. But in my opinion Fitzgerald's evidence is offset by the fact that Mrs. Baker re-employed Liu shortly after the alleged threat was made. By the fact of re-employment she gave evidence that she did not fear him."
Patrolman Fitzgerald was the much talked of "surprise" witness of the police.
Judge Lazarus' comment on the case came as Joseph J. Webb, attorney for Lincoln U. Grant, Mrs. Baker's man of affairs, came to the defense of the wealthy and eccentric widow and patron of playboys and actors. Webb denied vehemently that Mrs. Baker was a narcotic addict.
"A pure figment of imagination," Webb declared, and added that such
(Continued on Page 2, Col.4)
San Francisco Chronicle Thursday, December 25, 1930 (Page 2)
Liu Fook Release Hinted
Grant Defends Mrs. Baker
Continued From Page 1, Col.3
a flat denial would be his answer to the will contest filed by her nieces, Mrs. Hazel Cox, San Francisco, and Mrs. Lorraine Root, Oakland.
"Personally, I do not believe there is a word of truth in the allegations of the will contest regarding narcotics, or the domination of Mrs. Baker by Grant," continued Webb, who has been retained as attorney for the estate.
Another "pure figment of the imagination," was the report that Grant had a "hidden retreat" which he occupied on the night Mrs. Baker was crushed to death in her apartment at 814 California street, Webb declared.
"I understand," the lawyer said, "Professor Chauncey McGovern,
criminologist, wants to examine this secret room. Well, it's a storeroom in the basement of Mrs. Grant's home, 1079 Ashbury street, and the professor can have the keys any time he calls for them. But we want to be represented at the opening."
"Grant has nothing to hide, and any insinuations against him regarding his relations with Mrs. Baker are utterly untrue."
WILL CONSULT LAWYER
Professor McGovern, retained by the defense of Liu Fook, aged Chinese houseboy, accused of the murder by the police, immediately countered with the assertion that private detectives were seeking three "secret rooms." One of these, he said, was in a downtown lodging house and another was believed to be in Oakland.
The criminologist said he would consult with William J. Gloria, chief defense counsel, regarding Webb's offer to turn over the keys to the Grant storeroom.
Insinuations that the police had broken faith with him also were uttered by Professor McGovern, who said he was suddenly balked when he went to the Hall of Justice yesterday to give the prosecution exhibits a scientific going over.
"All of my scientific apparatus had been packed, my assistants were ready and waiting and I had passed many hours consulting the authorities," the professor said, "when word came that the inspection must be postponed until 9 o'clock Friday morning."
Captain Charles Dullea of the detective bureau, according to the criminologist said that Detective Frank La Tulipe, the police expert, had been ordered away from the Hall of Justice on another detail. La Tulipe's "benzadine test" of the spot on Liu's trousers was challenged by the professor, as were the detective's assertions that a person's hair could not be identified by other hairs from the same head
According to McGovern, blood, rust or plaster of paris would give the green-blue reaction La Tulipe described as obtained from the purported blood spot on the gray flannel trousers.
Dr. Pierre Braeckel, bacteriologist, will be among McGovern' s consultants at the tests of the police exhibits tomorrow morning.
HEARING CONTINUED
With Liu's preliminary hearing continued until 2 o'clock next Monday afternoon by Municipal Judge Lazarus the aged Chinese resigned himself to celebrating Christmas in a city prison cell. But it will be such a Christmas as few of the other prisoners will enjoy.
The Chinese Six Companies, which has declared it's conviction he is innocent, will play Santa Claus, sending him a large pack of gifts. Gloria and his associate counsel, Alfred J. Hennessy, will carry to Liu a piping hot Christmas dinner, of which the piece de resistance will be a fat goose.
That the trail of a motorist who gave an eccentric, odd-acting man a lift across the bay about the time of the murder had been found was the assertion of Robert J. Trevers, defense detective.
Trevers said he expected to interview this motorist within twenty-four hours and to gain valuable information leading to the individual suspected of being the real murderer.
CASE CALLED WEAK
Through W. C. G. McDonnell, the defense attorneys announced:
"If the police don't produce more evidence than they have so far, we will probably put no witnesses on the stand, for we regard the prosecution's case as so weak as to require no contest."
To this Detective Allen McGinn, head of the homicide squad replied: "We have enough evidence to send Liu to the gallows."
San Francisco Chronicle Friday, December 26, l930 (Page 1)
Mystery Woman Helps Liu
Servant Risked Death to Rescue Widow, Says Friend
Gloria Confident Prosecution's Case Will Fall Under New Testimony; John L. McNab Declared Ready to Aid Defense
A new, mysterious and "highly important" defense witness appeared unexpectedly in the case of Liu Fook yesterday- an intimate woman friend of Mrs. Rosetta Baker, whose testimony, according to defense counsel, William J. Gloria, will knock the prosecution's evidence into a "cocked-hat."
The mystery woman, Gloria asserted, will testify that the aged Chinese servitor was not only devoted to his eccentric and wealthy "boss Missy," but that he once saved her life with grave peril to himself. Identity of the surprise witness is being closely guarded by Gloria.
A second important development of the day in favor of the accused oriental as the announcement that in the event Liu is held to answer by Municipal Judge Lazarus, Attorney John L. McNab will be actively associated with the defense. McNab is now in Honolulu, but he is due back in San Francisco January 7.
In the meantime, NcNab's associate, S. C. Wright is keeping a close eye on the case at the request of the Chinese Six Companies. Peter Wong, secretary of the organization, said NcNab would be asked to assist Liu's present battery of attorneys in the defense should the case reach Superior Court.
Declines to Disclose New Witness' Testimony
While declining to disclose details of the new witness' testimony, Gloria said it will prove conclusively that Liu did not strangle and beat Mrs. Baker to death the night of December 8 as police charge. Unless Municipal Judge Lazarus, before whom the Chinese's preliminary hearing on a murder charge is being held, directs the defense to present its entire case, the mystery woman be the only witness he will call, Gloria asserted.
Judge Lazarus said he will advise Gloria to present all his evidence the same as he has demanded of the police.
Prosecution's Case Held 'Extremely Weak So Far'
"While the prosecution's case so far is extremely weak," the magistrate said, "I Desire to have all the facts before making a decision. There is one highly important point that I especially desire to have cleared up. If neither the police nor the defense brings that point up, I will raise it myself."
Judge Lazarus declined to reveal the point he has in mind. He said however, that unless it can be satisfactorily explained by the prosecution, it will be of direct benefit to the Chinese defendant. The Judge has indicated that on the basis of evidence submitted to date, he will refuse to hold Liu Fook for trial in Superior Court.
Police Stick Doggedly To Guilty Theory
In the face of the magistrate's statement, police were sticking doggedly to their guns yesterday.
"We have a few witnesses still to call," said Sergeant Allen McGinn, head of the homicide squad. "We hope to connect up all the small bits of evidence into such a solid web that Judge Lazarus will bind the Chinese over for trial. We are convinced he murdered Mrs.Baker."
Captain of Detectives Charles Dullea refused to discuss the case further.
While these sensational developments in the case were going forward, Liu Fook enjoyed his Best Christmas dinner in years. In his cell in the City Prison he sat down to a sumptuous repast apparently untroubled by the furor buzzing about his celestial head.
"I did not kill boss missy," is his repeated answer to the charge against him.
Liu Enjoy Christmas Feast in Jail Cell
He certainly had an innocent man's appetite yesterday. After eating the regular noon meal with the other prisoners- he wasn't taking any chance on the nonappearance of the promised banquet- he stowed away enough turkey, mashed potatoes and other solids to feed a small Chinese army, not to mention a man-sized wedge of mince pie and several cups of tea.
The feast was provided by Attorney Gloria and served on a white table cloth, with all the trimmings.
Legal Aspects Stand Still As Attorneys Holiday
Other factors in the complex case were at a standstill yesterday. Attorney Joseph J. Webb, counsel for Lincoln U. Grant, Mrs. Baker's man of affairs, and for the beneficiaries of the wealthy and eccentric widow, was taking the holiday. Today he will begin preparation of the answer to the contest of Mrs. Baker's will, which was filed last week by relatives she had ignored.
Webb repeated his offer to let Professor Chauncey McGovern, defense criminologist, examine Grant's
(Continued on Page 2, Col. 4)
(Friday, Dec. 26 Page 2 is missing.)
San Francisco Chronicle, Saturday, December 27, 1930 (Page 1)
LIU TO TELL OWN STORY FROM STAND
Defense Hopes for Dismissal of Charge After Testimony
Under oath from the witness stand Liu Fook will tell the world next Monday afternoon that he did not strangle and crush the life out of his "boss-missy," Mrs. Rosetta Baker, patroness of playboys and amateur theatricals.
By the bold move of putting the defendant on the stand, decided on last night at a conference of his attorneys, William J. Gloria, chief counsel, believes the innocence of the 63-year-old houseboy will be so apparent that Municipal Judge Lazarus will order the release of the Chinese.
In addition Gloria promised two surprise witnesses, a man and his wife, who would clinch Liu's story of cutting his finger on a broken pane while washing windows several days before the murder.
"Liu's story on the stand," Gloria said, "his straightforwardness, his sincere and honest appearance and his undoubted affection for Mrs. Baker would convince anyone of his innocence, and we feel sure they will have great weight with Judge Lazarus.
Defense Holds No Fear, Says Counsel for Accused Chinese
"Ordinarily there is danger in placing a defendant on the stand at a preliminary hearing, but we have decided that Liu has nothing to fear.
The surprise witnesses, Gloria disclosed, will tell of meeting Mrs. Ray Dix, manager of Mrs. Baker's apartment at 814 California street at the time of the murder, and of hearing her relate how the Chinese houseboy came by his hurt.
The conversation Took place in a grocery on the Saturday before the murder, Gloria says, and Mrs Dix gave exactly the same account as did Liu.
Court Considers Finger Wound Vital Point in Deciding Case
Judge Lazarus regarded this evidence as vital in the case. He said: If the defense establishes that Mrs. Dix saw the wound on Saturday, it will go a long way towards freeing Liu. That cut is one of the most important bits of evidence the police have produced."
The name of a mysterious woman witness who would testify that Liu "saved Mrs. Baker's life," was disclosed by Gloria as Nell Nichols. Her story is that, after Dr. F. J. Bethel, Mrs. Baker's brother, died in 1928, she suffered a nervous breakdown.
Faithful Nursing by Liu Saved Her Life, Mrs. Baker's Claim
Liu, Miss Nichols said, nursed his mistress night and day, going without sleep, and when she recovered she told Miss Nichols, "Liu saved my life by his constant care."
Miss Nichols also will testify that Mrs. Baker was exceedingly fond of her houseboy.
That the police have messed up their own case was the assertion of Dr. Ernst A. Victors, bio-chemist and pathologist, who was called in yesterday to make the scientific tests of the prosecution exhibits- the bit of Liu's finger skin, the gray flannel trousers, the shirt button, the piece of a heel, the blue shirt, the denim jumper, the gray hairs and the supposed bloodstains on the trousers.
"To be frank," Dr. Victors said, "the police have bungled the case terribly. Their tests were not complete and were not made soon enough."
Dr. Victors was another surprise of the day. He appeared in the case when Professor Chauncey McGovern, defense criminologist, went to the Hall of Justice with his assistant, Dr. Pierre Braeckel, and his array of instruments and test tubes
(Continued on Page 2, Col. 2)
San Francisco Chronicle Saturday, December 27, 1930 Page 2)
(Picture) What Do They See?
(Caption) Dr. Ernst A. Victors and Detective Frank La Tulipe
scientifically testing the exhibits in the Rosetta Baker murder
(Continued from Page 1, Col. 3)
to examine the exhibits for Liu's attorneys.
But McGovern, was balked again, as he was last Wednesday. He was told by Captain Charles Dullea of the detective bureau that Dr. Victors' had been retained as a prosecution expert and that Detective Frank La Tullipe had been ordered to turn all exhibits over to him.
NEW DELAY ENCOUNTERED
Then the professor went to Dr. Victors' office, 49P~ Post street, where there was such a delay, McGovern Laid, that he felt that he was "intruding." So McGovern went back to his own laboratory in the DeYoung building, with the promise that all the tests and the exhibits would be submitted to him before the case is resumed.
"It begins to look as if the police are afraid to let us see the exhibits," McGovern said.
Dr. Victors said he did not expect to complete his tests until tomorrow noon. His first task was an examination to establish if the spots on the gray trousers were blood stains and whether they were animal or human.
This consisted of injecting specimens of the stain into a rabbit's ear. Then the blood will be drawn from the rabbit and submitted to microscopic and chemical experiments.
When the preliminary hearing is resumed before Judge Lazarus, the police case will be submitted to vigorous hammering, according to the plans of the defense. This swill probably take two lines- a demand that the pieces of teeth broken off in Mrs. Baker's death struggle with the strangler and an attack on the testimony of Policeman Jerome Fitzgerald that Liu was discharged by his mistress after a row.
Dr. A. H. Moody, city pathologist, who conducted the autopsy, said the pieces broken from Mrs. Baker's teeth were so small they might easily have been overlooked in the police search of the apartment.
DEFENSE NEAR CLOSE
Only one more witness will be called by the prosecution, Peter Mullins,
assistant District Attorney, announced, and that will be Detective Allen McGinn, head of the homicide squad.
"We have a great case," Mullins said, "and we are convinced Judge Lazarus will have to hold Liu to the Superior Court."
San Francisco Chronicle Sunday, Decomber 2&, 1930
Mrs. Baker Slain Outside Apartment, Asserts Manager
Woman Certain Victim Was Struck Down in Lane, Carried Dead Into Building; Liu Story of Wound Backed by Grocer
Mrs. Rosetta Baker, patroness of young playboys and amateur theatricals, was not killed in her apartment at 814 California Street.
She was strangled and fatally crushed in Ellick Lane, the alley
alongside her apartment house.
Then her body was carried to her apartment by someone who had
easy access.
Her body was laid beside her bed and the bed covers disarranged, but the arms and legs were in such a straight position as to indicate there was no struggle with the murderer.
Over her nightdress she had a dressing gown, indicating she had
left her apartment on some mysterious summons.
Usual Sounds Indicating Return of Owner Lacking
These are the highlights of a startling story told last night by Mrs. Ray Dix, manager of Mrs. Baker's apartment house.
"So far as I know," Mrs. Dix said, Mrs. Baker did rot come home the night before she was killed. Usually I always heard her come in but that night there was no sound.
Mrs. Dix was quite confident there were no evidences of a death struggle in Mrs. Baker's apartment.
"Knicknacks" Table Standing Beside Bed Not Disturbed
She said she found a "knicknacks" table beside Mrs. Baker's bed had not been upset. There was one overturned chair and that Mrs. Baker usually placed in front of her apartment door.
Mrs. Baker, according to Mrs. Dix was in the habit of roaming through the apartment house at early hours of the morning- why, Mrs. Dix said she did not know.
Manager Believes Murderers Waylaid Victim on Sidewalk
Mrs. Baker would go stealthily downstairs at 2 a.m., apparently rummaging the basement or the garage in which her car was kept, Mrs. Dix said.
That Mrs. Baker was met outside her apartment house and beaten and strangled was the theory put forward by Mrs. Dix.
"I believe they were Chinese," She said.
At the same time, while declaring she could not back up Liu's "finger alabi," she said:
"There is nothing I can say will hurt him.
Woman Denies She Was Given Explanation of Injury to Liu
Then Mrs. Dix contradicted reports that she had said that she was told by Liu he cut his finger on a broken pane while washing windows and that she bound up the hurt.
"Nothing to it," she said. "He never told me he cut his finger and I never dressed it."
Mrs. Dix also declared she had never been shown the metal mesh bag the police say they found in Liu's Stockton-street room. Mrs. Baker, she said, carried such a mesh bag and she had frequently seen rolls of bills in it.