Second Trial in Keil Murder

KEIL, MURPHY, ECKERLEBE, WATERMAN, WYNKOOP, GIBBS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/5/2009 at 21:15:21

Waterloo Courier, April 21, 1897

SECOND ECKERLEBE TRIAL

The second trial of Chris Eckerlebe on a charge of murdering Mina Keil, is in progress before Judge Waterman at Clinton. The jury was secured Tuesday afternoon, after which the usual statements of the case by both sides were made to the jury. Attorney D. A. Wynkoop, for the state related the story of the terrible crime to the minutest details. He told of the finding of the club, revolver and other evidence of the crime, discovered through the information of the tramp, John P. Murphy, who was at the time of the murder confined in the jail at Andrew, and with whom Eckerlebe was locked up in a steel cage, where no one had access except the jailor and sheriff.

Mr. Wynkoop was followed by Mr. Gibbs, of Dubuque, who appears for Eckerlebe. His remarks were in effect that the defense would prove an alibi. Mr. Gibbs caused somewhat of a sensation when he concluded the following:
“As to the testimony of the tramp, Murphy, the defense wishes to call attention to the fact that these weapons and alleged evidences of guilt were not found for a week or ten days after the crime, after the premises had been well searched, and that the information came from the tramp, but if the state attempts to use such testimony the defense will show when, where and how Murphy got such information. Until the state offers such testimony, the defense will remain silent on the subject. Evidence will show Eckerlebe is a weak-minded boy, and that this is more of a persecution than a prosecution.”

The jury will be kept under lock and key during the trial, which it is expected will last a week or ten days.

The state began the introduction of its evidence yesterday morning. Mrs. Sophia Keil, mother of the murdered girl, and Fred Keil, a brother, occupied the stand all of yesterday. Nothing new was developed from their testimony different than at the first trial.