The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-09-28
HYDE CONVICTED OF MURDER
Anderson Man Will Hang for Dou-
BILE killing.

Anderson Man Will Hang for Dou-
BILE Killing.
Hyde, confessed murderer of his
young wife and her father, was con-
victed by jury late to-day and sen
tence will be pronounced by Judge
Prince tomorrow morning.
The reading of the verdict had no
visible effect on the prisoner, who
said later that the finding was just
one, that he was guilty of murder
and expected to be convicted. Un-
der the laws of South Carolina, pleas
of guilty in murder cases are forbid
den.
Hyde's Crime.
The crime for which Hyde was
convicted was committed on the
night of July 18th, last. While
Mrs. Hyde and her sister, Willie
Beasley, aged Is, lay asleep in one
bed, and her parents, w. V. Beasley
and wife, were asleep in another bed
in the same room, Hyde entered and
fired three shots into his wifes
body, killing her instantly, and fired
twice at her sister, both shots TAX
ing effect, but not seriously wound
ing her. Releoading his revolver,
he shot and killed Beasley, who was
attempting to disarm him.
Mrs. Beasley Witness.
Mrs. Beasley was the principal wit
ness for the prosecution at the trial
to-day, describing in detail the events
on the night of the tragedy. Sheriff
King told of Hyde surrendering to
him, and saying he planned the mur-
der of his wife, and was well pleased
with the deed.
Insanity Plea.
The State rested it's case at 1
o'clock, and the defence introduced
several witnesses, who testified in
support of the claim of the prison.
er's counsel that he was a victim Of
hereditary insanity.
Following the argument by the at
torneys and the judges charge, the
jury retired, and IS minutes later
returned verdict of guilty.
Said Witnesses Lied.
The prisoner as he sat by his old
deaf father accepted the. verdict with
out any tremor and without any
change of expression. Before being
led from the court room to his cell
in the county Jail, he stated to this
correspondent that the verdict is a
| just one, that he is guilty of murder
and that he expected conviction.
Il didn't take the stand on my be-
half" Hyde said, because I didn't
want to- be classed along with these
witnesses for the State, who swore
lies on lue. They stated that I had
| deserted my wife and that they
hadn't taken her away from me.
That is not so. There is one thing
certain, they won't be able to sep
arate me from my wife any more,
and when the sheriff hangs me it will
be the happiest man that has ever
been hung. The court appointed Mr..
Rice to plead my case. He did
mighty well. He made a good fight
but useless one. I know I was
guilty of murder and I know that
deserved to be hung"
| Mother-in-Law Testifies.
Mrs.Emma Beaslely, mother of Mrs
| Hyde, and wife of W. w. Beasley,
testified that she and her husband
| were in one bed in the room and
that Mrs. Hyde and her 15-year-old
sister, Willie Beasley, were in an
| other bed in the same room at the
time of the shooting; that the shots
awoke her and that she slipped out
of bed and grabbed Hyde as he was
going out of the door. She was as
sisted by Mr.. Beasley, who caught
Hyde around the back. Hyde re-
loaded his pistol, she said, and held
up his left arm and fired on Mr..
Beasley, killing him instantly. Mrs.
Beasley stated that the married life
| of Hyde and his wife was very un-
pleasant; that they frequently quar-
relied and that they had been parted
twice. She said that Hyde deserted
Mrs. Hyde and for that reason her
| father had taken her back home.