The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-09-09
BEATT|E IS GUILTY
OF KILLING HIS
WIFE
Jury in Virginia Murder Trial
Out Less Than an Hour
TO BE EXECUTED NOV. "a
Prisoners Aged Father Overcome But
Young Man Did Not Lose
His Nerve.

Chesterfield Courthouse, Va. Sept. 9.
Twelve Virginia farmers knelt at
dusk last night in the obscurlty of
the small jury room praying ferently
that they might pass judgment Alright
on Henry Clay Beattie, Jr., indicted
for the murder of his wife. Grimly
determined they arose moment later
and silently one by one recorded
unanimous verdict o. Guilty" Paus-
ing in contemplation for So minutes,
weighing the meaning of their decis-
ion and once more on Bonded knees
beseechng divine assistance that
they might not err, they filed into the
crowded courtroom and with start
ling suddenness II voices, instead OF
the usual one of the foreman, spoke
the word Guilty" 1t was almost
shout. The judge set the date for his
electrocution on Friday, November
"a. The court OF appeals, to be sure.
will be asked to grant writ OF error,
and a new trial Young Beattie, cog
infant OF the legal weapons yet at his
disposal, did not surrender Instead
he consoled his broken-down father
white haired and wrinkled, and com
forted him as he whispered 81 have
MT lost yet. father"
The jury had for II days heard evil
dence, for two days speeches, but the
words OF Wendenburg rang in their
ears as they left the court room to
find their verdict. Let that man go
free!" he cried What, let that man
20 free? Why, the motherhood of
Virginia, the womanhood OF this ma
ton, will shudder in terror as the
security of its life is threatened. Let
this man go free? The man who
basked in the degraded sunshine OF
another woman, while at his home
young wife nursed his child? Gentle
men, / merely ask you In the name
OF justice to do your duty
Mr.. Wendenburg concluded his ad.
dress few minutes after 8 p. m A
brief respite was given the jury and
at 5:2S p. m, 1t began consideration
of the case. For So minutes they
were together in deep consultation,
Jury of simple farmers who each
morning sang hymns and strove TO
forget the story of dissipation as re-
lated day after day on the witness
stand. What had been generally pre-
dicted was true-their minds were
well made up before they left the
courtroom. w. l.. Burgess. square
jawed man with an earnest face, was
elected foreman. They balloted and
II was no surprise, they afterward de-
clared. that all voted alike. And in
the court room sat Henry Clay Beat
tie Jr., the sporting page OF a news
paper spread before him. But he did
not read long. He folded the paper
and concealed his face In II. Those
who sat near the boy of iron nerve
observed a twitching OF his lips, as
though moving in prayer, as he sat
with closed eyes as he awaited the
return of the jury. He raised his
head for a moment, dropped the pa
per again and began reading. Then
he whispered a few words to his faith
err and brother. 1t was for them he
felt and to them he counseled cheer
fitness
II was nearly dark In the courtroom
when the jury returned. The court
asked the prisoner to rise. He drew
himself up calmly and waited. Have
YOU gentlemen agreed on a verdictg'
asked Judge Watson. I'VE have, >
said Foreman Burgess. The prisoner
had confidently expected hung
Jury. not acquttal or disapproval,
whatever the verdict. And what is
your verdict?' asked Judge Watson,
turning again to Foreman Burgess.
Guilty" answered Burgess. but TO his
voice was added the voices OF ii
others.
IMMERSED in law and the forms Of
n murder trial the iurymen had not
specified what degree Of murder
| Asked what degree. MIR. Burgess ans.
wered simply guilty as Indicted.
I Under Virginia practice murder Is
presumed to be In the second degree
unless otherwise specified. II was
incumbent upon the jury to fix the de
gree so Judge Watson advised the
iurymen to confer again on the point
and seven minutes later they con
formed, this time with the verdict Of
murder in the first degree
The prisoner stood motlonless. His
face. in color q yellowish.greer
throughout the day, was immobile H'
fastened his eyes on the faces OF th'
~ men who had pronounced his pun
ishment as II to penetrate their nina
and determine the reason why. l
was not resentful expression, how
ever. and when the court asked II h
had anything to say he answered
have nothing to say and sat doWi
phe perfunctory motions for ne'
trial we're made by counsel Tor IN
1 defense The usual permission eve
TO argue the point was denied. jude
Watson In a stern voice declared th'
all rulings of the court were on con
paratlvely unimportant detail ana J
no way could have Influenced the We
diet A stay of execution was gran
ed however TO give counsel an oppo
4 tunity to apply for writ OF error whe
} the court Of appeals meets In Mover
Der.
Lieut.. John B. Barnes, U. s. In
who has been assigned by the w
department as instructor OF the Ma
ional Guard, state Of Vermont. has
40 been appointed a member Of q
X governors stan. Lieutenant and NJ
Harness have taken apartments
Burlington.