LINK AUTO SALE WITH BECKER MURDER FEE

The New York Times
December 5, 1922

Officials Learn Accused Slayer of Wife Disposed of Car a Week After the Crime.

TO BE ARRAIGNED THURSDAY

Court to Appoint Counsel for Husband Charged With Bronx Ash Pit Killing.

NORKIN CASE TO GRAND JURY

District Attorney Will Seek Indictment of Man Who Admits Witnessing Murder.

The week after Abraham Becker is alleged to have struck his wife on the head with an iron bar and buried her alive, he sold his automobile, and the details of the transaction indicates that he sold it to raise $100 in ready money to pay Reuben Norkin, his confessed accomplice, according to Assistant District Attorney Albert Cohn of the Bronx.

Mrs. Becker was murdered on April 7 of this year, and on April 15 Becker sold his Dodge car to A. Nieremberg, a wall paper dealer of 986 Intervale Avenue, it was learned.  The price was fixed at $300.  Becker was allowed credit of $200 toward the purchase of a Studebaker car, and there is reason to believe, according to Mr. Cohn, that the other $100 went to Norkin, who has insisted constantly that he took part in the crime only because he liked Becker.

Becker was arraigned in the Bronx County Court yesterday on the charge of murder in the first degree, but Judge Gibbs declined to accept a plea from him because Becker was not represented by counsel.

"Have you any money to employ a lawyer?" Judge Gibbs asked him.

"No," said Becker, shaking his head. Judge Gibbs announced that he would appoint counsel for Becker and hear his plea on Thursday.  The evidence against Norkin will be presented to the Grand Jury today.