The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-30
DR.. FORGE GUILTY,
DECLARES JURY
FIRST INSURANCE SCANDAL CON-
j.. VICTION IN AMERICA.
Former Vice President Of Life Insur-
ance Company May Be Sentenced to
from One to Ten Years in Prison Cell
. Long Delay Pending Appeal and
Decision. -. .%.-E

Dr. Jacob T. Force embezzled a 1915
check from the insurance company Of
which he was vice president and di-
rector. declares the jury. -,
This is the verdict of the twelve
men who listened to the evidence and
the law in the second of the cases
growing out of the recent Minneapolis
insurance investigation. 1t is the YER
dict arrived at after an eight-da trial
and more than five hours elaboration
in the Jury room.
The verdict carries a deep signif-
canoe not only to the defendant, his
relatives and friends, but to the other
former insurance officials who are un-
der Indictment for similar offenses and
are now awaiting trial.
First in America.
The conviction of DR.. Force is Of
especial ee4 importance and significance
any city in. the United States
as result of the Investigations
following the widespread insur-
ance scandals and Investigations Of
the past year and half. It also brings
into special prominence AL j. Smith,
Hennepin county attorney, the man who
instigated the legal investigation of the
insurance troubles in Minneapolis, and
who personally so thoroly prepared the
documentary evidence. John F. Dahl,
Mr.. Smith s assistant, also comes in for
his share Of commentator as the ac-
sented the evidence in such an able way
as to bring conviction to the minds Of
the jurors.
The Possible Sentence.
The conviction of DR.. Force carrie:
with it sentence Of from one to te,
years in the penitentiary. The exac
number of months in this term will b.
announced by Judge F. G. Brooks mex
Saturday morning, when he will pro
nounce sentence. Until then the de
PENDANT is at liberty under $500
bond. At the time Of sentence his at
torneys will undoubtedly give notic
of motion for a new trial, and thi
will in time be followed by an appea
to the supreme court. This appeal can
not be heard before next fall, and tn
final determination Of the case prob
ably will not be reached before winter
In the meantime, DR.. Force will be a.
lowed his liberty on an appeal bon
that will be fixed by the court mex
Saturday.
| 1ne NeAC II1d4S.
The conviction Of DR.. Force ha
caused increased comment concernin
the insurance investigation, and tn
cases growing out of it. There are man
surmises as to the next Of the accuse
former officials to face jury, and tn
date of the next trial is equally a mat
ter of conjecture. County Attorney A
J. Smith and his assistant, ohm F. Dab
-l1 lo,. boz abr of % "
not as yet settled upon their course Q
action. Mr.. Smith has announced, how
ever, that w. F. Bechtel, former pres
dent Of the company, would be trle
| again, and he has intimated that tn
case against former Insurance Commi
sioner Elmer Dearth might be move
; this term. =;
j Feared Disagreement.
Many Of those most interested in til
decision of the Force jury had give
up the hope Of verdict last nigl
when, at 8 O'Clock, the foreman sci
word to Judge Brooks that an agreemel
had been reached. The defendant ar
A. NJ. Keith, one Of his lawyers, an
County Attorney AL j. Smith, WEI
summoned, and all were seated in tt
courtroom when the jurors filed int
) the room. The doctor earnestly scanne
) GuC IdCOo VI IuC j u1O1o hS biAO.S PcAcHe
3 him and took their seats in the jurybo
, If he gained any inkling Of their seer
: he did not show it.
EGentlemen Of the jury, have ye
Q agreed upon verdictq' asked II
clerk.
J. 1--WE have,'' answered several juro
g simultaneously.
i The Hateful paper was handed by Il
foreman to the clerk, who in turn han
s ed it to Judge Brooks and waited viii
j. the latter read it. When it was I
i turned to the clerk he, opened it al
h read, eve, the jury, find the defenda
Y guilty as charged in the indictment. =
l. Painful Stiffness.
l. There was a painful stiffness in t.
g courtroom. All eyes were focused up
+ the defendant, who did not show
n move or look that he had heard an
IS thing but the most commonplace new
Re The jurors were polled at the rogue
q of the defendant s counsel. The jud
/ thanked the jurors and discharged the
h The defendant had nothing to say re-
l. tive to the verdict and maintained t
e same self-possession that has marked
# bearing during the long trial.
20 coreo+ioyoo1 EsE;ro co1o1 Drjcoc-En