Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-10-30
CONVICTED OF CAPITAL CRIME.
Verdict First Degree Murder Against
New York Police Lieutenant.

Nc" ! N, W.. u ~ lAltul.
Charles Becker was found guilty to-
night OF murder in the first degree
by the jury which has been trying
him for instigating the death OF Her
man RoScnthal, the gambler.
The verdict read: "Murdcr in the
first degree" ana was pronounced
exactly at midnight. Becker was re-
manded for sentence to the Ton,bs
by Justice Goff until October 30th.
Mrs. Becker, sitting outside the
door OF the court house. fell in a
swoon when the verdict was an
nOuEccd.
John +. Mcintyre. Becker's chief
counsel. announced that he would
take an immediate appeal, but added
that beyond this he had nothing to
say.
Becker did not ninch when he
heard the verdict pronounced by
Harold b. Skinner. foreman Of the
jury.
The twelve jurors with solemn
faces and measured steps filed into
the court room at 11.55 o'clock. A
moment later the defendant was
brought in from the Tombs. Justice
Cor had not yet entered the room,
ahl for a moment Becker took a side
seat.
AS he waited he scanned with anx-
ious eyes the faces Of the jury, but
none of them returned his gaze. A
tense silence prevailed
At l1.57 Justice Colt entered the
court room, and, bowling low to coun-
sci, tool his seat. The jury roll was
called. The clerk then asked the
jurors if they had reached a verdict.
I'VE have" answered Foreman
Skinner. The jurors rose to their
feet.
1--WE find the defendant guilty as
charged in the indictment,' Mr..
Skinner said, slowly and evenly,
looking %squarely at Justice Goff.
The court then directed that the
roll OF the jurors be called for their
individual verdict. AS he repeated
the question, do you find the de-
PENDANT guilty Of murder in the first
degree as c%harged?" each juror an
swered, 81 do"
Becker stood at the bar with
squared shoulders. head erect. Not
a muscle moved in his face, but he
swallowed hard. That was all.
When the last juror had answered
Justice Cor instructed the clerk to
take the defendants pedigree.
Becker answered the questions in a
low, firm voice. \ court officer
blouSIll nc quest lollS 10 MIN, VIII
ten on a slip Of paper. and as the
prisoner read them 10 himself, he re-
piled:
"FOrty-two years old; American
citizen, born in Germany; address
$3.50 Audubon II lieutenant
OF police; married; Protestant; mo-
Their living: habits temperate; never
convicted before"
When Rockers voice died away
Mr.. Mcintyre. who had covered his
fac" with his hands as the verdict
was given. rose and asked that "all
further proceedings be deferred for
on" week. unUil / a prepare the
proper motions for appeal"
II will defer Scntcmcc.' announced
Justice GOff. until October 80. and
remand the prisoner until that date"
Justice Cor spoke in the same low
tone OF voice, almost a whisper, that
had characterized his uttcranccs du..
Ing the trial.
Over "Brid9c OF Signs"
Becker gave a nrcting glance at the
Judge and rested his eyes for a mo-
"nt ON the jury. Then he turned,
and, followed by a Jail warden. walk
ed with unfaltcrinG, rapid steps up
the aisle OF the court room and dis
appeared through the door leading
over the "Bridgc Of Signs" to the
Tombs.
The Jury had ]dclihorotcd nearly
eight our before reaching the YER
diet although the cosr had hncn in
their hands since 30 O'Clock mis-
afternoon.
Two hundred persons or more
where with hnr car ,I,,nSt , -
k,,h,i, 80, ID, .,,