The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-30
BECKER FOUND GUILTY.
MURDER IN FIRST DEGREE YER.
DICT AGAINST NEW YORK
POLICE LIEUTENANT.
Defense Will Take Immediate Appeal
from Decision Which Holds Pris-
oner Guilty of Instigsting Killing of
Rosenthal.

New York, Oct. 25.-Police Lieut.
Chas. 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 Rosenthal. the gambler.
The verdict read: Murder in the
hrst degree" and was pronounced
exactly at midnight. Becker was re-
manded for sentence to the Tombs by
Justice Com until October 80.
Mrs. Becker. sitting outside the
door OF the court room. fell In
swoon when the verdict was an
nounced.
John +. Mcintyre. Becker's chief
counsel. announced that he would
take an immediate appeal but added
beyond this he had nothing to say.
Becker did not finch when he
heard the verdict pronounced by
Harold b. Skinner. foreman Of the
jury.
The IL Jurors with solemn faces
and measured steps filed into the
court room at HISS o'clock. A mo-
ment later the defendant was brought
in from the Tombs. Justice Gosr had
not yet entered the room and 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 11.57 Justice Goff entered the
court room and bowling low to coun-
sci. took his seat. The jury roll was
called. The clerk then asked the
Jurors II they had reached a verdict.
We have" answered Foreman
Skinner. The jurors rose to their
feet.
I'VE find the defendant guilty as
charged In the Indictment" Mr..
Skinner said. slowly and evenly. look
Ing squarely at Justice Com.
DO you and the defendant guilty
OF murder In the first degree as
charged In the Indictment" asked
the clerk.
I'VE do" the foreman replied.
The court then directed that the
roll OF the Jurors be called for their
Individual verdict. As he repeated
tho question DO you find the defend
ant guilty Of murder In the first
degree as charged?" each juror an
swered. "I do"
Becker stood at the bar with
squared shoulders. head erect. Not
a muscle moved In his face but ne
swallowed hard. That was all.
When the last Juror had answered
Justice Con instructed the clerk to
take the defendants pedigree. Becker
answered the question In a low, firm
voice. A court officer brought the
questions to him written on a slip
OF paper and as the prisoner read
them to himself. he replied:
"Forty-two years old. American Cit
izen. born In Germany. address 323s
Audubon avenue: lieutenant of po-
lice: married. Protestant. mother 1iv-
ing. habits temperate: never convict
ed before"
When Becker's voice died away
Mr.. Mcintyre. who had covered his
face with his hands as the verdict
was given. rose and asked that all
further proceedings be deferred for
one week. until 1 can prepare the
proper motions for appeal.
II will defer sentence" announced
Justice Con. until october 80. and
remand the prisoner until that date"
Justice Con spoke In the same low
tone OF voice. almost a whisper. that
had characterized his utterances dur
ing the trial.
Becker gave fieeting glance at
the Judge and rested his eyes for a
moment on the jury. Then he turn
ed. and followed by Jail warden.
walked with unfaltering. rapid steps
up the aisle OF the court room and
disappeared through the door lead
ing over the Bridge OF signs" to the
Tombs.
The jury had deliberated nearly
eight hours before reaching the ver-
dict although the case had been In
their hands since $3.50 o'clock this af-
ternoon.
Deliberations began mt 5:07 when
the doors OF the jury room swung
Co behind them.
While the jury was making up its
mind absolute stiffness heightened
by the midnight quiet OF the streets.
prevailed In the court room