The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-06-09
IT IS EASY FOR GRAVES
Des Moines Wife Murderer Permit
ted to Plead Guilty to Charge
of Mdnsldughter.

There has been considerable interest
taken in the Graves murder case at Des
Moines by 1 con people, for the reason
that at one time Mrs. Graves was resi-
dent of this city, and there was great
surprise when it was learned that last
Saturday Graves had been permitted to
plead guilty Of manslaughter and con-
fessed that he choked his wife to death.
The Register and Leader of Sunday
says:
Charles w. Graves, found guilty by
jury of murder in the first degree for
the murder of his wife and the attempt
to burn her body, and given new trial
for the offense, pleaded guilty to the
charge of manslaughter yesterday MORN
ing and will receive his sentence for the
lesser crime next Saturday. Graves is
satisfied with the result of his plea for a
new trial.
The sudden change from verdict Of
murder in the first degree at the hands
of jury after long trial in which the
issues were fought over with persist
ence, to a conviction by his own ac-
acknowledgement Of a crime much smaller
in degree, was surprise to the hum
dreds of Des Moines people who have
watched the case with interest.
His sentence has been set for Satur-
day next that he may be given an OPP
portunity to settle up his affairs with
his sons. His property on the east side,
where the tragedy occurred, has been
transferred, presumably to cover the
expenses Of the long trial. He may re-
ceive a sentence of about eight years,
which is the maximum penalty for man
slaughter.
The offer that Graves should be allow
ed to plead guilty to the charge of man.
slaughter, came from his attorney,
Walter McHenry. and had been consid-
cred by County Attorney Miller for
some days before it was accepted.
Judge McHenry in hearing the motion
for new trial stated positively that he
would not countenancc verdict of
guilty in the first degree on the evil
dence submitted. This being the case,
Mr.. Miller after deliberation accepted
the plea of manslaughter inasmuch as
Graves could not be found guilty of any
thing graver, even should he be tried
again.
Graves, who with hot scalding tears
in his eyes, protested that he was being
prosecuted for a foul murder of the wo-
man he loved best and bemoaned the
fate that led him to be arrested for the
crime, told yesterday how he committed
the slaughter of his wife. He no longer
cried aloud that he was immaculate and
that his voice was pure in protesting
innocence, but the cringing hypocrisy
was cast aside and Graves was himself
again.
eve quarreled. l choked her to
death" he said.
This was manslaughter.
Graves was arrested and tried for the
murder Of his wife. The crime took
place on day early last December. He
hailed a milk dealer passing the house,
and after asking whether any milk had
been left at his home that day, to which
he received a negative answer, he asked
the man to accompany him to the rear
door. The milkman did so, and as the
door was opened smoke was seen to
issue from the Kitchen. Both entered
and found Mrs. Graves on the floor with
her clothing on fire and apparently
dead.
The fire department was called, the
fire eStinguished, and coroner's jury
took the matter in hand. For many
days Graves was allowed to go at large
with the suspicion for the responsibility
of the crime of having murdered his
wife resting on his shoulders. He was
arrested at last at the instigation of his
step-daughter, who swore out the war
rant and caused his incarceration in
the county Jail. The grand jury return
ed an Indictment against him for the
taking away of the woman, and at the
first trial he was found guilty of murder
in tho first degree after hard battle
between the attorneys in the case.
A new trial was asked for by Walter
McHenry for the defense, which was
granted by Judge McHenry, who be-
lieved that the evidence did not sus-
tain such a verdict. Graves was elated
over his partial victory and believed
that he would be indicated in new
trial. Yesterday, however, he decided
that his best movement would be to
plead guilty to the lesser charge, and
this he did.
Startling Evidence.
Fresh testimony in great quantity is