Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 28, 1981, Winnipeg, Manitoba 14 Winnipeg free press tuesday april 28, 1981 stagehand confessed court told trial in death of Canadian violinist opens in new York Craig Crimmins left with his attorney Lawrence Hochheiser. New York a _ a prosecutor said yesterday that a stagehand con fessed voluntarily to killing a violinist at the metropolitan opera House after trying to rape her for about five i but the defence claimed in opening statements that police forced the confession. Craig Crimmins 22, is accused of killing 31-year-old Helen Hagnes min tips a native of Aldergrove b.c., last july 23. Her body was found on a ledge in an air Shaft the next Day. Assistant District attorney Roger Hayes told the jurors that before Crim mins was arrested aug. 30 he voluntarily admitted having spoken to Mintiks in an elevator and that whatever he said she slapped him in the face and said something loud and then Hayes continued Crimmins told authorities he took her to a Stair Case where he attempted to rape her for about five and then took her to the roof of the Lincoln Centre concert Hall. Hayes said Crimmins told police he tied her up retired her when she freed her feet and tried to run and gagged world her with a Napkin. At that Point. Hayes said he Laid her on her stomach and he Cut off her clothes. He started to walk then Mintiks made a noise and that s when it happened. He went and he kicked her Over the Venti lation Hayes said. The musician died when her body fell three storeys and crushed onto the he charged. Defence lawyer Lawrence Hoch Heiser in his opening statement con tended Craig Crimmins never did any thing. He never killed anybody and never attempted to rape anybody. This Young Man is entirely there is no statement by Craig Hochheiser said adding that the videotaped confession showed Crimmins very distraught holding tears. He does not Tell anybody any Story of doing something like attempting to rape Hochheiser charged that detectives pressured Crimmins into giving yes and no answers to their questions by threatening him and then telling him he would see a doctor instead of going to jail if he told police what they wanted to hear. Hochheiser also argued that Crim mins would not have waived his right to Legal counsel during questioning if police had not kept him isolated from his the lawyers discussed other evidence besides the recorded confession which will be played later in the trial. Hayes said a Palm print found on the roof of the opera House matched that of Crimmins. Hochheiser referred to a police sketch of a suspect that was based on a description Given by a Ballerina who said she saw a Man Board an elevator with Mintiks. He said it shows a Man who looks older than and does not resemble his client. Crimmins who is free on Cash bail faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted on charge of second degree murder and attempted rape. Victim the i Happy 311th birthday Bay Mart birthday specials downtown Only personal shopping Only men s dress shirts permanent press in assorted Plain colors or fancy stripes. Regular Cut one front pocket. Wash Able. Sizes to collectively. A. 9.97 Junior belted pants Rayon pants. Front zip Side pockets front pleating Reese pocket Flap. Narrow pinstripes in three colors. Sizes 8 to 16 collectively. Or. 13.97 dept. 853, Bay Mart men s furnishings. Downtown Only Deal. 813. Bay Mart Young apparel. Downtown Only ladies rain Wear full length Coats in single and double breasted styles. Assorted colors and fabrics in sizes 8 to 16 Coli actively. 24.97 kept. 801, Bayait Coats downtown Only fabric handbags assorted fabrics colors and styles including clutches and shoulder straps. A. 6.97 dept. 829. Bay Mart accessories. Downtown Only men s famous maker sub knit shirts in assorted Plain shades or fancy stripes. Crew or Pla guard style Collar. Sizes collectively. A. Web chairs Metal Frame with 5x6" plastic web Bing. Save our Reg. 10.99. Now ea., 5.97 Deal. 853. Bay Mart men s furnishings. Downtown Only 8.97 Nob Hill Glass sets eighteen piece set includes six 6-oz. Juice six 9-oz. Old fashioned and six 13-oz. Beverage glasses. Set 14.97 assorted Kitchen gadgets bargain prices on popular items including set of three bottle Caps stacking mugs Jelly holds tongs paper Towel holders pizza cutters and morelea., 87 dept. 893, Bay Mart Home decorating and operating downtown Only who Are affordable budget store _ downtown shop won., thurs. And Fri. Tues., wed. And sat. 6. Dial 783-2112. Uni City St. Vital Kildonan place shop monday to Friday saturday 6. Dial 783-2112 ;