Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 302, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1919 — TRIAL OF HARRY NEW OPENS IN LOS ANGELES. [ARTICLE]

TRIAL OF HARRY NEW OPENS IN LOS ANGELES.

Los Angeles, Dec. 16.—“ Harry S. New is the calmest man I ever saw under such circumstances,” said LeComte Davis, his attorney, as the young man waited in the county jail for the opening of his trial today on a charge of murder. Apparently without the slightest doubt that he would be saved from the gallows, New slept well last night and spent the early hours today smoking, reading and chatting with the jailers. The district attorney, it is said, may present some surprise evidence, but it is believed that the main point on which the state will ask that New be convicted -will be the alleged confession. “I lost my head and shot her, the alleged confession reads. The defense will attempt to prove .that New was insane and that he was not responsible either when he is alleged to have shot Freda Lesser, his sweetheart, or when he told his story to detectives. New is alleged to have shot and killed Miss Lesser on the night of July 4 in Tipango eanyon, a few miles from this city. He drove in his automobile to the police station with the body of the girl beside him and surrendered. According to a statement given out by the police at the time New is alleged to have said he killed the young woman in a fit of rage when she refused to marry him. An autopsy indicated- that Miss Lesser was in a delicate condition. The trial is being held before Superior Judge Craig. Several days may.be required to obtain a jury. One hundred prospective jurors were called into court for the opening session, including a number of women. The prospects were that half of the jury may be women. Both sides showed a willingness for women to sit in the case.—lndianapolis News.