14 - The Murder of Norman Bechtel

A church worker is slain in 1932 Philadelphia.  A lengthy investigation ensues, and a notorious inmate is questioned and a dramatic jailbreak he took part in is described. 

“$60,000 life insurance carried by Norman Bechtel, murdered man,” Lebanon Daily News, January 22, 1932.
“4-year-old murder case claimed near solution,” Sayre Evening Times, July 27, 1936.
Bechtel, Norman R. (d. 1932), https://mla.bethelks.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Bechtel,_Norman_R._(d._1932)
“Bechtel slain in shake-down, police believe,” Reading Times, April 16, 1937.
“Bechtel slayer given ten years,” Pottstown Mercury, August 27, 1937.
Boyd's Blue Book of Philadelphia.  Philadelphia: C.E. Howe, 1906.
“Convict freed as 'reformed' held as bandit,” Philadelphia Inquirer, February 19, 1933.
“Cult sacrifice clues sought in Bechtel murder,” Reading Times, January 22, 1932.
“Detective victim of suspected slayer,” Tyrone Daily Herald, December 8, 1932.
“Four of convicts believed at sea,” Altoona Tribune, July 17, 1923.
“Gang sails,” Reading Times, July 17, 1923.
“Hold negro as suspect in detective's murder,” Franklin News-Herald, December 10, 1932.
“Judge gives bail for anti-Fascist,” Scranton Republican, December 19, 1931.
“Judge posts youth's bail,” Mount Carmel Item, December 18, 1931.
“Kidnapped autoist tells story of bandits' escape,” Reading Times, July 16, 1923.
“No hexers involved in Bechtel case,” Shamokin Dispatch, January 22, 1932.
“Man found stabbed to death in Philadelphia,” Cumberland (MD) Evening Times, January 20, 1932.
“Murdered man loved to play game of poker,” Bradford Daily Record, January 23, 1932.
“Phila. sleuth's slayer caught,” Reading Times, December 12, 1932.
“Philadelphia mayor fires safety chief,” Scranton Republican, February 25, 1933.
“Police quiz suspect in Bechtel slaying,” Reading Eagle, July 28, 1936.
“Police seek 3X link in murder of churchman,” Marshall (TX) News-Messenger, February 5, 1932.
“Police still far from solving hex murder,” Franklin News-Herald, January 22, 1932.
“Police think old homicide case solved,” Utica (NY) Observer, April 16, 1937.
“Quiz convict in slaying of church worker,” Pottstown Mercury, July 27, 1936.
“Quiz Lew Edwards, ex-Berks convict, in Bechtel murder,” Reading Times, July 30, 1936.
“Rev. D.J. Unruh accepts pastorate at Lansdale, Pa.,” Mennonite Weekly Review (Newton, KS), December 11, 1929.
“Seek foreigner in the baffling Bechtel crime,” Bristol Daily Courier, January 22, 1932.
“Seek suspect in Croskey case,” Altoona Tribune, December 9, 1932.
“Slaying of N. Bechtel believed hex murder,” Lebanon Daily News, January 22, 1932.
“Stabbing of Mennonite believed another of state's hex murders,” Franklin News-Herald, January 21, 1932.
“This way breeds Communism,” Reading Times, November 28, 1931.
“Woman killed Bechtel, Phila. police believe,” Reading Times, January 26, 1932.

Opening music by Fesilyan Studios, https://www.fesliyanstudios.com
Closing music by Soma.
Statement of Eleanor Temple read by Mindi Gable.