The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-23
BECKER IS GUILTY
IN FIRST DEGREE:
Jury Finds for Second Time He
Is Archconspirator RESPONSE
BILE for Rosenthal Murder.
FIVE BALLOTS TO DECIDE
Tears in Eyes of Jurymen as Ver-
dict Is Announced-Ap-
peal to Be Taken.
FIVE BALLOTS TO DECIDE

Charles Becker was tho archconspira-
tor responsible for the Roscnthal mur-
der. which nearly two years ago awohe
New York to n realization of corrup-
ton In the police department and
opened new era of police reform.
Becker, once a police lieutenant, was
found guilty of murder in the first
degree. Only n pardon or interference
again by the Court of Appeals can
save him from following to the cleo
tric chair the four gunner, who shot
Herman Rosenthal. the gambler, early
on the morning of July 16. 1912.
The jury to-day decided that the
gurmen were Becker's agents.
AS details of what happened In tho
jury-room developed tonight. 1t np-
neared that fve ballots har been taken.
six for guilty In the first degree. two
for not guilty. three for lesser de-
srse ana snconn one 3ianR; ha,iH; ,..o, ,t,.r tho
jurors had had luncheon. brought one
man over to tho majority. The third
fourth stood ten for guilty. The fifth
TEARS IN EYES OF JURYMEN
AS VERDICT Is RENDERED.
Tears atreamed down the foreman's
face ms he announced the decision. and
tears stood In the eyes of several other
jur%,nen. They had agreed that the
corroboration which the district attor "a
ney failed to present at the first triaF
TO support the stories of Rose. Vallon
Hnd Wcbbcr. the three accompltces who
turned informers, had been furnished
by new witnesses at the second.
Bccker's counsel announced that he
would appeal and gained n weeks
stay for the preparation of his future
campaign. The defendant was granted
u short meeting with his wife and his
brothers. and then was taken back TO
his cell in tho Tombs.
Becker and his wife were talking
shortly before o'clock In n room ad-
joining the sheriff's office. when court
attendant announced that the jury had
reached verdict. AIrs Becker was
not permitted to accompany her hus-
band to the courtroom. Now spaper
men. court attendants counsel for tho
defense, and District Attorney Whit
man and his staff were tho only other
persons allowed admission. The de-
lendants two brothers, Jackson and
John Becker. the latter detective
lieutenant. hurried to eide entrance,
where they stood awaiting the verdict.
FACES EXPRESSIoNI.ESS
AS JURrMEN ENTER ROOM
When tho little group in the court
room had found seats. tho twelve men.
who nlone knew Becker's fate. nled
silently in. with Foreman F. Meridcn
Blncgden at their head. All twelve
faces were eXpreSsionless
Justice Seabury mounted tho bench.
ie glanced quickly at the faces OF the
Jurors. but he learned nothin,s there.
Ola court nttendants, who declared
long practice had made them able
usually TO tell the verdict by the
Jurors looks, admitted that on this oc-
casion they We're at loss.
Becker. In the room overhead. was
stil! talking to his wife when Justice
ocaDury took his seat. A bailifr was
sent for the defendant. Becker kissed
his wife as he left her.
Its all right" he told her. "dop,s
worry. They'll free me-"
Becker walked briskly through the
courtroom TO the rail, facing Justice
Seabury, and gripped It with both
hrnds His face was colorless. He
glanced hopefully at the jury, but he
didn't catch the eye of a single man
To all outward appearances. tho i,rn
aid not even know the defendant wa.
In the room. The clerk asked the turv
to rise.
foreman" he said. have yon
reached n verdict?"
biasden. youngish man, blond ana
slim, brushed his eyes with a hand
kerchicf. already damp.
Wc nave, he said softly I'VE dnd
the defendant" he hesitated a mo-
ment and continued In a whisper: "V,
md this defendant guilty as charned
In the indictment-guilty as charged
the first degree
BECKER WITH CONTROL
BECOMES HIMSELF AGAIN
Bccker's face was gray as he rrinnod
the bar In front of him with nu his
strength. The big muscles in his necl.
jumped out In heavy rolls. The veins
mt his temples swolled. His great
frame swayed and dropped; then with
quick control he became himself again
Big tears welled into the ewes OF
the foreman. He wiped them away and
then the clerk began TO ask questions
required by law. The roll was called
tyri NJ
il guilty" was his verdict, too.
Becker stood motionless while these
questions were being put to the jurors.
Immediately upon their conclusion tho
clerk began to take Becker's "pedlgree"
To the first questions Becker answered
In steady voice that no was forty-
three years old, was born In tho United
States, and that his parents wero born
In Germany.
Married" queried tho clerk.
BECKER didn't answer Immediately.
Almost In Il whisper he repllod, Yes
AS to his occupation Becker said he
was former police officer In the city
OF New York Catholic. and OF tens
perate habits"
Justice Seabury thanked each mnn
OF the jury for his services, and thew
left the room.
ATTORNEY For DEFENDANT
GRANTED 4 WEEKS TIME
Attorney Manton Wien told by the
court he would be granted a reason
ablo time tn which 10 mako any mo-
tions he deemed advisable. asked for
one week, and received II.
Charles Becker, you are reman6ed
to tho Tombs Prison until May 90" the
court announced. The whole proceed-
Ing from the time Becker was pro-
nounced guilty until u recess was do
clareu occupied scarcely four minutes.
In the meanwhile. Jackson and John
Becker. standing at tho door to tho
courtroom, had heard tho verdict.
Jackson sank into a court attendants
chair and buried his face In his hands.
Mrs. Bccker's brother John Lynch. and !
John Becker hurried to tho room whero
Becker's wife was waiting
Everybody In the building ana oven