Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-17
FLOYD ALLEN IS
DECLARED GUILTY.
Patriarch of Gang Must Die For His
Part in HillsvilIe
Murders.
TAKES VERDICT CALMLY.
Prisoner Sat With Bowed Head While
Members Of Jury Responded 10
Judges Questions.

Wytheville, Va, May l7.-Floyd AL
len, patriarch of the outlaw gang that
on March IA assassinated five persons
in Judge Massie's courtroom at Hills
vile, must pay the penalty OF death
for his part in the murders.
This was the verdict Of the jury,
brought in today when court opened
at 1890. That the twelve good men
and true" did not arrive ut their de-
cision without bitter fight was indi-
Gated by the long time during which
they deliberated. The case was Civ
en- to the jury at 1851 yesterday, and
they were locked up in the jury room
at 2:30.
The other members Of the Allen fam
lily heard the words with grim set
faces, their eyes fearless with anguish
Mrs Allen, the faithful wife of the
prisoner semed dazed for moment
and then sobbed brokenly in her black
bOrdered handkerchief. leaning on her
husbands shoulder.
A crowd that packed the courtroom
made no demonstration Of the YER
dict. Detectives had previously watch
ed every spectator to prevent any pos
sibility of 4 repetition of the Hills
vile tragedy, and the plain clothes
men were scattered throughout the
crowd.
The jury reported an improper YER
diet at first, the foreman stating "we
hold the prisoner guilty" without spec
flying the degree. Judge Staples or
dered them to return to the jury room
for q complete statement. The twelve
men trooped back to the courtroom q
moment later with o nrst degree specl-
lication.
Floyd Allen took the verdict calm
ly, sitting with bowed head as the
jury responded firmly to Judge Stap-
les questioning. with the fatefuI
words that pronounced his doom to
the electric chair.
When told to stand to hear his yer,
dict, the aged prisoner hobbled slowly
to his place, his face grim and stern
drawn in painful lines, as much IRON
the hurt of his wounds as from the
fear of death. In the words of noun
taineers in the courtroom. old Floyo
took his medicine like man, and lIv'
ed up to the Allen tradition that none
Of the family ever faced death quail
ingly.
Floyd Allen was charged specifically
with the murder Of Commonwealth Al
toruey Thomas B. Foster. lmmedl'
ately after the verdict was returned
defense council noted exceptions ant
although they did not at once give
notice of an appeal, it was said tina
Judge Staples would grant them thi'
opportunity.
The jury did not render its verde
Immediately upon convening OF cour
Judge Staples sent for the twelve mel
:;nd without inquiring whether the!
had reached a decision gave them
brief additional charge, urging tina
they remember that personal opinions
should be merged in the issue of tn
case, and asking that the member:
grant every consideration to all views
The jury filed out and was oaei
within ten minutes, with their final DE
cision.
Judge Staples postponed sentenc
ing Allen until the trial of the othe
members of the gang had been con
cluded.
Sentencing of Floyd Allen was de
ferred in order that he might he call
ed as q witness in the trials OF I'M
other members OF the gang.
On the first ballot, juryman ex
plained today, the twelve men stoo'
ten for first degree murder and tw'
for second degree, the TWO being lnr
ors Williams and James. william
held out until today, and only con
sented to the majority following
Judge Staples charge.
On hearing his doom, FLOYD A'ie'
begged his lawyers to permit him i
make a statement to the jury. n
said he wanted to tell them they ns'