Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-02-10
LUETGERT FOUND GUILTY.
The Big Sausage Maker Goes to the
Penitentiary for Life.
But 1t Pleased Him Immensely, and
HeLauehed When He Discovered
That He Was to Escape a Worse
Fate-The Usual Motion for a New
Trial

CHICAGO. February 9.-Adolph L. Luet-
CERT was tonight convicted of the murder
of his wife and sentenced to imprisonment
in the penitentiary for the term of his
natural life.
Luetgert received the verdict with
laugh 1t was 1880 when word was sent
to the court room by the jury that they
had agreed upon a verdict and were walt
ing to bring il into court.
Judge Gary, whose home is within rev
blocks of the criminal court building, III
formed the jury as II passed out mat t.,l he
would wait their pleasure and at any time
during the night that they agreed upon
a verdict he would return to the court
room to receive it, in order that the long
imprisonment which the members OF inc
jury have undergone might be terminated
at as early a moment as possible.
Quickly as possible after the jury had
sent word of an agreement, Judge Gary
fastened to the court room. The news OF
a verdict had spread like lightning TO
the street, and in Il few minutes the court
room was damned with newspaper men.
policemen. witnesses who had given evil
denCe in the trial, and curious spectators.
The rumor had been current since early
in the morning that the jury was unani-
nous for conviction and that the delay in
announcing a verdict was because OF
inability to agree upon the punishment
that should be melted out 10 Luetgert.
The general opinion among the crowd
as it waited for the coming Of the judge.
jury ard prisoner was that the verdict
would be against the defendant.
AT ii 10 Judge Gary entered the room.
and at the same instant Luetgert and his
guards entered through the door leading
from tho Jail in the rear Of the court
house.
The big prisoner was calm to all appear
ances and did rot seem nervous in any
degree. He glanced quickly around TO see
If the jury was waiting for him, and find
ing il was not sank easily into chair
to await its coming.
He smiled at one or two friends, but
after the first glance. around the court
room contented himself with watching the
door through which the jury must enter.
In a minute in they filed ana passed to
the seats which they have occupied dur
ing the - days of the trial.
The spectators watched them eagerly
hoping to catch from their faces some
idea of what the verdict was TO be.
Not one of the jurors glanced toward
the prisoner. who tried vainly to catch
an eye Of some one of the men who had
determined his fate. The quiet air borne
by the iurymen went far to strengthen
the opinion prevalent in the court room
that the verdict was adverse to LuetgeTt.
Judge Gary wheeled sharply in his chair
as the jury entered. and watched them 81
lently as they filed into their seats. Then
he spoke i'll his usual calm, even tone:
"Gentlemen have you agreed upon a
verdict"
I'VE have" was the reply.
Mr.. Clerk, read the verdict" said
Judge Gary, in the same tone.
Clerk Knopf, stepped, forward, took the
verdict and then read with a tremor Of
excitement in his voice:
I'VE. the jury. find the defendant gull
ty as charged in the indictment. and fix
his punishment at imprisonment for life ;"
There was hush and all eyes turned on
Luetgert TO see how he would take it.
He laughed, and laughed in a manner
that showed plainly that he did not think
the verdict a, serious matter, comparative
ly speaking. States Attorney Deneen
smiled grimly as the verdict fell from the
lips of Clerk Knopf and Police Inspector
Setback and Palice Captain Scheutler
who have worked desperately in the case
gave. signs Of satisfaction Of the most
unmiXed variety.
The sound Of Clerk Knopfs voice had
not died away when Attorney Harmon
was on his feet with a request that the
jury be polled. This was done. sacn juror
affirming the verdict Then Mr.. Harmon
entered q motion for a new trial which
was entered and will be argued within a
few days.
Luetgert was led back to iail in appar-
ently good spirits, glad for one thing.
that his long suspense was ended a last
and comforted by the assurance Of his
lawyers that he viii get Il new trial and
that the State will not be able to convict
him second time