The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-12-21
WALKER FREE,
BEERS SLAYER
IS ACQUITTED
Killing of "BOy Phenomenal"
and Home Wrecker Declared
to Be JuStifiabIe Homicide.
VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL
AFTER TWO BALLOTS
EDWARD LAWRENCE, CODE
PENDANT, WILL BE DIS
CHARGED FROM CUSTODY.
Especial to The HeraldJ

Ogden. Dec 20-The jury in the Beers
murder case, after three hours delibera-
ton this evening, returned a verdict Of
not guilty, and for the first time in eigh-
teen days, during which the trial lasted
the face of Fred c. Walker. the defend
ant, lighted uD with a smile. 1t was a
smile that meant more than words could
express. His eyes filled with tears, and
as soon as the reading of the verdict was
finished he arose and embraced his aged
mother Walker then shook hands with
lawrence, his co-defendant, r. w. Nicol.
MS attorneys, and all those who stood
by him during the trial. LaWrence's face
was also iilumined with a smile as the
verdict meant almost as much for him as
1t ito 9ld ,. Tor walker The case against him
VIII likely be dismissed this morning
The verdict of acquittal met with gem
eral approval in Ogden
Il am going to stay with Lawrence UNI
III ne secures his freedom" said Walker
after he was discharged from custody
do not know how 1 am going TO be
able to express my gratitude to all who
have been kind to me during nv trial
The press and every one has been fair
with US, and heartily appreciate it. 1t
will be Merry Christmas after ALL"
Two Ballots Taken.
The jurors took just two ballots in ar
irving at the verdict. The first vote was
taken at $40, and resulted in eleven for
acquittal and one for conviction the
juror voting for conviction being Charles
Crissman, the only unmarried man on
the jury. The arguments OF the jurymen
lasted for one hour, and at $50 o'clock the
second ballot was taken This showed a
unanimous vote for acquittal. The mat
ter of guilt or innocence hinged on the
question Of heat Of passion.
Before discharging the jury Judge
Howell thanked the twelve men for the
way in which they had conducted them
selves and extended TO them the cOmpli-
ments of the season Judge Howell was
also the recipient of many congratula-
lions for the able manner in. which he
conducted the trial. this being the first
murder trial since he was elevated to the
district bench.
District Attorney Halverson said last
night that the state had a fair trial and
that in all probability the case against
Lawrence would be dismissed today. He
said 1t was little early to say Just what
he would do, but as he saw IL then, there
was nothing else left for him to do
The jury retired to deliberate shortly
before O'Clock. Those first accepted as
jurors have been I'm the box for eighteen
days, the time occupied in the trial Of
the case.
It was exactly $50 o'clock this evening
When Judge Howell finished reading his
charge To the jury. short time was
then occupied in counsel for both sides
excepting to portions Of the court 5
charge. Before the jury retired to the
jury room, Judge Howell instructed the
soon as they had organized and that uporl
their return they were to commence Their
deliberations.
On the whole Judge HoweITs charge to
the jury was considered fair and impair
tiaL Reading rapidly it took him thirty
minutes to repeat it to the jury. Dur
ing its reading Walker sat with his eyes
riveted upon ths jurors as if trying TO
read in their faces the effect il might
have upon them. His face remained the
same. He was, if anything, little more
pale than before. but he never moved A
muscle. Neither did he look to the right
or the left
Strong Appeal for Walker.
Attorney W. r Hutchinson of Salt
Lake, chief counsel for Walker, began
his address to the jury at $3.50 o'clock IN
the morning, and after talking for more
than three hours gave way to District At
tOrney George HalveTson. who spoke for
two hours and thirty minutes. Both at
tOrneys were at their best and they held
the auditors in closest attention through
out.
Mr.. Hutchinson confined himself large
ly to debate OF the evidences making a
careful analysis and drawing deductions
as he proceeded. He commented freely
on Beers defiance and brazenness. claim
ing that he was a deceiver and a Wrecker
of homes. God has no use for such a
man." he said. He defended Mrs. Dona-
hue and assailed the sHulls, saying that
their stories were manufactured and that
lllel gave tNlt4tlitt lbE piOlll ne llSlSL-
ed that Walker was justified in the killing
of Beers under the laws OF the state He
held that Beers had violated the laws at
all times; that the man who stands at
the door OF his castle has the right to
protect his wife or daughter.
In referring to the interview at the
Lennox hotel between Mrs. Walker and
Beers. while Walker was watching, Mr..
Hutchinson said This venomous man
couldn't keep his hands off this mans
wife"
Merely Asks for Justice.
District Attorney HalversOn began his
address by pointing out the difference be
tween the various verdicts which the jury
might arrive at He said the fact that
Beers and Mrs. Walker had committed a
great wrong did not justify the killing OF
Beers. He called attention to the COM
mandment Thou shalt not kill" He
Continued on Page 2.