Title

0491: The People of the State of New York v. Max Krakauer

Abstract

Max Krakauer is indicted for seduction.
Lillian Schlosser, 19, a recent immigrant from Hungary, testifies that in August 1903, on account of severe toothache, she visited the office of Max Krakauer, a dentist. Later that week, Krakauer, after visiting Schlosser at her lodgings in Stanton Street, told her that he wanted to marry her. She was initially hesitant – she told him that she was only a poor girl with no expectation of marrying a doctor – but on Thanksgiving Day in November 1903, Krakauer held an engagement party when he announced to various friends and acquaintances that they were to be married.
The following month, in December 1903, at Christmastime, Krakauer persuaded her to have sex. Schlosser testifies that she subsequently became ill in March 1904. Krakauer took her to a doctor who performed an abortion. They had intercourse again that summer and in August 1904 the same doctor performed a second abortion. Krakauer stopped visiting her that month and she no longer had contact with him.
Several acquaintances and relatives testify that they witnessed Krakauer give Schlosser an engagement ring at the Thanksgiving party in 1903 and that he had announced his intention to marry her.
The defense presented two witnesses who claimed that they had had sex with Schlosser either before or during her engagement. William Lubliner, a photographer, testified that he had sex with her four times in July 1903 and three times later that year, in November 1903; Joseph Silverman said he had sex with Schlosser four times in October 1903. Arthur Camnitzer, a physician, testified that he had examined Schlosser in March and August 1904. He denied ever having performed an abortion and claimed that Schlosser had twice experienced a natural abortion.
The transcript is incomplete and there is no record of a verdict.
[Note: The jury found Krakauer guilty and the judge, Warren Foster, sentenced him to a term of imprisonment not less than 42 months and not more than 54 months.]

Type of Crime

Seduction See all items with this value

Date of Hearing

1905-02-15

Verdict

Guilty See all items with this value

Sentence

Imprisonment: minimum of 42 months and not more than 54 months. See all items with this value

Victim(s) Name(s)

Lillian Schlosser

Defendant(s) Name(s)

Max Krakauer

Prosecuting Attorney

Arthur C. Train

Defense Attorney

Isaac Marks

Judge

Warren W. Foster See all items with this value

Source

See also: “Camera in Perjury Charge,” New York Times, February 18, 1905; “Witness Put Under Arrest,” New York Sun, February 18, 1905; “Gave Procurer All the Law Allows,” New York Sun, March 2, 1905.

Case ID

491

Location of Crime

Manhattan, New York

Item sets

Seduction

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