Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-22
Three Hours Delibera-
ton Brings Verdict of
Guilty, as Charged
MAXIMUM SENTENCE TEN YEARS
Prisoner Listens Apparently Unmoved
to Verdict When It Was Read
Scene in Court Room Is Impressive
Ball Says News Will Kill His Mother
Threatens His Own Life.

After celebrating for about three
hours the jury in the case of the state
VS.. Owen Ball, accused of the burglary
of the Bee Hive store on the night of
September 10000, brought in a verdict
of guilty of burglary, as charged. While
Judge Caswell has not as yet set a time
for sentencing the prisoner 1t will prob
ably be done in a few days. The maxi
mum sentence Ball can be given is ten
years in the p~enitentiary.
The jury returned to the court room
at sis o'clock Wednesday afternoon,
while the John Desher cast was occu-
plying the attention of the court. The
prisoner was sent for, and the verdict,
signed by l.. L. Conner as foreman, was
read by Judge Caswell.
Takes Verdict Calmly.
When the result of the jury find
be read to the prisoner absolute quie-
tude prevailed in the our room. The
youthful criminal, with his eyes fixed
on the carpet in front of him, gave but
little signs of any emotion he may have
felt while the short document was being
read. Aside from restless movements
of the thoughts which occupied his
mind. The boys father, j. I'll. Ball. who
was seated near the rear OF the room,
was visibly affected, as he leaned for
ward over the back of the seat in front
of him and listened intently. AS soon as
his son arose to be led back to his cell,
he arose and followed the deputy and
prisoner FROM the room, but did not
join his son on the way to the jail.
Says II Will Kill His Mother.
While on his way back to Jail Ora
Ball, a younger brother of the prisoner,
met him on the stairs leading from the
court room. Ball shook hands with him
and bade him goodbye, saying Good
bye, l am done for now" After leaving
the building he said II am done for 10Y
there is no further use of my trying to
make anything of myself" Thinking of
his mother he said: This will kill M
mother, then / shall kill myself Thru
out the trial and reading of the verdict
Ball bore an air of partial bravado and
stolid Indifference. and impressed many
with the idea that to some extent he
was hardened by the crime for which
he was accused. AT no time has he
shown n penitence, but evidently
seemed rather to think he would fight
1t out regardless of results.
Case Created Much Interest.
While the case was of itself of no
great Importance to the public, never
theless considerable interest has been
shown during the trial. Attic the
court room was but partially filed
when the jury returned, this was due
largely to the fact that many thought
it would not return for some time, and
when it did that a disagreement would
be reported.
1t was necessary for the jury to take
was reached. The first ballot stood nine
to three for conviction. Another n
Joined the majority after several more
ballots had been cast, and the remain
ing two joined the others or the last
ballot. General sympathy is expressed
for the boys parents, who are respect
able, hard working people, and feel
deeply the shame of the crime for which
their son has been accused.
Judge Caswell has not yet set the
time for sentence, but 1t will very like
ly be this week. probably tomorrow.
1t is thought all the work of the cour.
can be finished this week, and the jury
was discharged for the term this morn
ing