Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-25
Lays Verdict of Guilty to His
Not Testifying in Own Be-
haIf-To Appeal Case.
JURORS NEVER IN DOUBT
ABOUT OFFICERS GUILT
Only Degree Considered, Eight
Being for Death Penalty
on First Ballot.

NEW YORK, Oct. 25.-Lieutenant
Charles Becker will be sentenced to
d.a.h next Wednesday for the murder
VI Herman Rosenthal
This is the only sentence possible
under the verdict of murder in the first
degree found at 1857 o'clock last night
by the Jury in the trial of the police Of
d,ial Whether Becker will be exc
uted is another question. Every re-
source possible win be exerted to save
him. and Becker today professed conf
dence that the verdict will be reversed.
On the grounds that his trial was I'M
fair.
The verdict was a terrific shock to
Becker He had become confident Of
acquittal through the length of the
ury's deliberations. He restrained his
emotions only by the utmost effort when
the verdict was returned, but today he
was stoically calm in his Tombs cell,
mis- only worry apparently being for his
wife. whose health Is delicate. Becker
feared that the ordeal through which
she had passed might be fatal to herself
and the child soon to be born.
Becker made the following statement
this morning:
Il am innocent; the truth will pre-
vail in the end. 1 was disappointed, as
did not believe that any twelve men
would accept the story told by my &C
cusers. While hoped to be acquit
ted, did not believe that the final re-
suit would be worse than disagreement.
Il had absolutely nothing to do with
the killing of Herman Rosenthal, l
never suggested 1t in anv wav,
Could Have Cleared
Himself on Stand.
Il wanted to be a witness in my own
behalf. I believe l could have explain
ed away all the suspicious circum-
stances which tended to implicate me,
but I was forced to abide by the deci-
sion Of my counsel and remain mute.
Though the murder Of Rosenthal was
terrible thing, I believe II the YER
dict Of this jury is carried into Its
legal effect that the judicial murder of
Charles Becker will be an everlasting
blot upon the judicial system of the
Empire state.
I do not believe I had the fair and
Impartial trial which is guaranteed to-
all men under our laws. When this
case is reviewed, the injustice of the
court proceeding which resulted in my
conviction will be apparent. l am con-
noent that I will be granted new
n
tiine when public clamor does not de-
mand victim, l believe that 1 will be
acquitted.
l DO not personally care much for
'his verdict. but l feel the blow that 1t
Will inf1ict upon the woman who bears
my name and who has borne more than
her share of the burden since my ar
rest on this charge
My case will be appealed without
ueiay' and, in my opinion, there can be
no other result than a reversal of this
unjust verdict"
Inc Jurors actually deliberated seven
hours and fortyflve minutes. AS re-
ouII or advice from Justice Golf that
uIey should refrain from discussing
''elr action, the majority refused today
10 tell the secrets Of the jury room, but
II was learned that at no time in their
GENERATIONS had there been a question
as 10 Beckers guilt. The matter that
'dAed their hearts and intelligence was
me degree-whether' they should find a
verdict that would mean death or YER
U'y' mat would mean life Imprisonment.
me jury took three decisive ballots
d" all during their deliberations The
ut.S1 showed that eight were for convic-
Wv" Tor murder in the first degree, and
"'e other four were for murder in the
V''hd degree. The jurors stood ranged
either side in the respective num-
s during the course of several polls.
'' no time did they consider acquittal
eNen manslaughter.
me majority at all times held out
NohViction in the first degree, with
opposition for second degree al
a,ys but weakening rapidly.
f"foal poll after poll had been taken.
Continued on Page Two.