First Murder Trial Catapulted Young Jewish Lawyer to Fame

Handling the prosecution of Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the State of New Jersey was Attorney General David T. Wilentz. Unknown to headlines, except within his own state, this forty-year-old Jewish attorney is now a national figure by reason of the skill displayed in his successful prosecution of the Lindbergh baby murderer.

Strangely enough, it was the first time he served as the prosecutor in a murder case and, you have Wilentz’s own word for it, he will never again prosecute a murderer. The man who called Hauptmann, “World Public Enemy No. One,” and who told the twelve men and women of the jury that New Jersey would only be satisfied with one verdict: murder in the first degree with no recommendation of clemency, doesn’t like this business of snuffing out another’s life.

WILENTZ NERVOUS

As the jury filed into the Flemington courtroom last Wednesday evening, Wilentz was visibly nervous. He showed plainly why he had vowed never again to prosecute a murder case.

His defense opponent, Edward J. Reilly, veteran of many previous murder trials, was icily calm. Both men met in the center of the cleared space before the bench. Both knew the verdict of the jury; it was apparent on their faces as soon as they filed into the courtroom.

Wilentz turned to chat with his elder and vanquished rival, one of the most successful criminal attorneys in the country. His forced nonchalance was apparent. He tried to chat with Reilly. But got no further than, “Well, Ed….”. He finally turned embarrassed, and Reilly turned also.

FLORIDA BOUND

Wilentz had done a difficult job, and done it well. Now that it is over, he wants to forget it. Florida beckons. And after that, he said, his private practice— neglected since the beginning of the Hauptmann trial—needed his attention. He was through with the case; that much he announced before the jury brought in its verdict. Guilty, acquittal, or disagreement—no matter what—Wilentz was tired and sought relief from the great strain impose upon him.

But he didn’t regret his part i# the prosecution. In an after-trial statement he said that it had been his unwelcome duty to prosecute the case but that he hoped society would be served by his efforts an those of his associates.

LAUDS JURY

To the jury, he paid tribute:

“The nation is indebted to these courageous men and women.”

Like the man he prosecuted, Wilentz is not a native born American. Forty years old, he came here from Russia as an infant in his mother’s arms. They settled in Perth Amboy, New Jersey where he has lived ever since.

The story of his success is that well-worn one, the Jewish youngster of foreign born parents who worked his way through college and earned success by reason of his own talents.

WROTE SPORTS ONCE

He commuted to New York to study law and the while earned his living by writing sports for local Perth Amboy papers. He thus qualifies as one of that well known fraternity: “I used to be a newspaperman, once, myself.”

The World War halted Wilentz’s legal beginnings for some few months. But immediately after his return to Perth Amboy, he launched the career that was to make him one of the outstanding attorneys of Middlesex County. At the same time, he entered politics.

From 1922 to 1926 he served as City Attorney. Meanwhile, he developed his private practice and earned a reputation as a result of his ability to convert seemingly hopeless cases into successes. In the political field he built up a youthful organization of Democrats in a Republican county. In the Democratic landslide of last year, his county turned in a 25,000 plurality for his party. He became Attorney General last February.

LIKENED TO WALKER

Dapper, affable and democratic, Wilentz has come to be known as the “Jimmie Walker” of New Jersey. His snappy clothes were a source of much copy for the harassed reporters during their long period of servitude in Flemington. Even “Women’s Wear,” organ of the cloak and suit industry, this week carried an article on Wilentz’s very decided views on clothing style.

An orator of great virtuosity, as was proven by his final summation to the jury, Wilentz is nevertheless soft spoken. His personable voice lends itself to the histrionics he employs.