Faurot Testifies Against Muret; Prosecution Rests
Detective Chief Reads Dentist’s Stenographic Statement.
Elaborate counterfeiting paraphernalia was in evidence today in the United States District Court, presided over by Judge Hunt, when the trial of “Dr.” Ernest A. Muret, associate of Father Hans Schmidt, confessed murderer of Anna Aumueller was resumed. Muret is charged with having in his possession a copper plate of one side of a twenty dollar bill.
Chief Inspector Faurot of the Detective Bureau continued his testimony from where he left off on Friday, identifying the various articles found by him in “Dr.” Muret’s St. Nicholas avenue flat. On table were a very large camera, copper sheets, a small hand printing press, boxes and bottles of chemicals, a box with glass slides, through which could be seen paper that looked like real money.
Inspector Faruot read his interview with Muret, immediately after his arrest of the latter, the interview having been taken down by Sergt.-Detective John J. O’Connell in shorthand. In this interview the prisoner declared that Father Schmidt was the man who provided most of the counterfeit plant and who suggested everything.
Muret told the inspector, according to the interview, that he was with Schmidt when the latter bought the camera. They first printed postal cards, and then Father Schmidt said that it would be nice to make money on the press. During the summer – some time in June – Father Schmidt told Muret that he had a girl. Muret said he did not believe him, and Schmidt replied that he should see the girl. But he never did see her, he said.
On cross-examination Attorney Derby went into the Schmidt homicide case, evidently with the desire to shield his client from any connection with the murder of Anna Aumueller. Faurot admitted that Muret had told him that he had never seen Anna Aumueller.
“Do you know of any other charge against Dr. Muret?” Derby asked.
“Not yet,” replied the inspector.
Attorney Derby made strenuous objection, and was sustained by the Court. Inspector Faurot then said that he knew of no other charges against the prisoner.
Several tradesmen testified to delivering packages to the flat at No. 301 St. Nicholas avenue and to No. 516 West One Hundred and Thirty-fourth street, where the counterfeiting tools were found.
Detective Frank Cassassa, who arrested Muret, identified several articles offered in evidence. Among them were two pieces of wood about an inch long and apparently the size of a Government bill. Cassassa said that no violence was used, but no promises of reward were made to induce Muret to confess.
The prosecution rested and Attorney Derby asked for a dismissal of the indictment brought against his client on the ground that the Government had not established a case against him. The motion was denied and adjournment taken until 2 o’clock.
Faurot Testifies Against Muret; Prosecution Rests, The Evening World, 27 October 1913, page 3, column 4.