The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-05-23
is HELD RESPONSIBLE
FOR DEATH OF ROSENTHAL
JURY TOOK JUST ONE BAL
LOT AND 1T WAS
UNANIMOUS.
Becker Confident of Acquittal Was
Paralyzed by Verdict-MrA
Becker Collapses.

men decided today for the sseond
time that Charles Becker wac the
arch eonspirator responsible for
the Rosenthsi murder which near.
" two years ago awoke New vork
70 realization Of corruption In
tne police department and opened
new era Of police reform.
seeker, once q police lieutenant
was found guilty Of murder In the
hrst degree. Only pardon or In
terereree again BY the court Of
appeals can save him from follow
ING 10 the electric chair the four
gunmen who shot Herman Rosen-
Ss %ornins see sa%S,sr Js,s ,s ear on fS re
Jury today decided that the uun-
men were eeeker's agents.
One Ballot decided Beekers
tate. " was taken almost imma
diately after the jurors returned
from luncheon at an uptown hotel
wnere they went as soon as Su-
preme Court Justice Samuel Sea-
bury finished his charge. II wss
unanimous for conviction. Tears
streamed down the foreman's face
as he announced the decision and
tears stood In the eyes OF severe
otner Iurymen; but sympathy did
not warp their Judgment. They
had agreed that the corroboratlos
which the district attorney failed
TO present az the first trial TO SUP
port the stories Of Rose. VaIIon
and Webber, the three accom-
pllees, who turned lnformers hs6
been furnished by the new W.T.
nesses at the second.
Becker's counsel announced
that he would appeal and gained
weeks stay for the preparation
of his future campaign. The de-
fEnnanf
ing with his wife and his brothers
and then taken back TO his cell In
the Tombs.
Verdict Reached.
Becker and his wife were talking
shortly before 8 o'clock In a room
adjoining the sheriff's Office when a
court attendant announced that the Jury
had reached a verdict. Mrs. Becker
was not permitted TO accompany her
husband 10 the court room. Newspa,
per men. court attendants, counsel for
the defense and District Attorney
whitman and his star were the only
other persons allowed admission. The
lefsndant's two brothers. jackson and
Il.ohn Becker. the latter a detective
lieutenant. hurried to a side entrance
where they stood awaiting the verdict.
When the little group in the court
room had found seats the twelve men
who alone knew Becker's fate fled
sllently In with Foreman y. Meriden
at their head All twelve
Iaces were expressionless.
Justice Seabury mounted the bench.
he glanced quietly at the faces of the
Jurors. but he learned nothing there.
Did court attendants who declared
ong practice had made them able
usually 20 tell the verdict by the jur.
or's looks. admitted that on this oc-
,asion they were at n loss.
Becker In the room overhead. was
stu talking to his wife when Justice
5eabury took his seat. A bailiff was
sent for the defendant. Becker kissed
bis wife as he left her.
Its all right he told her. Don't
worry. They'll free me"
Walked 6riskiy.
Becker walked briskiy through tha
court room TO the rail facing Justice
Seabury and gripped IL with both
hands. His face was colorless. lie
glanced hopefully at the Jury but he
lid not catch the eye OF a single man.
To all outward appearances the Jury
lid not even know the defendant was
IN the room. Clerk Penny asked the
Jury TO rise.
Foreman" he said. have you
reached a verdict?"'
Blagden. a youngish man, blond
and slim. brushed his eyes with a
ldIuhflAulfAs diffdlN udUlD. w
have" he said softly "we find the
defendant ---" lie hesitated a mo.
ment aE.d continued In a whisper:
we find this defendant guilty as
in the Indictment: guilty OF
IN the first degree
Becker's face was gray as ne grip.
ped the bar in front of him with all
his strength. The big muscles In his
neck jumped out I'm heavy rolls. The
veins at his temples swelled. His
great frame swayed and dropped I;
then with quick control he became
himself again.
Big tears welled into the eyes OF
he little foreman. He wippd them
away and then the clerk began Ia
lsk the questions required By law
The roll was CALLED and each indi-
iidual Duror was asked r. guilty"
vas his verdict too
Becker stood motionloss whilu
.hese questions we're being put 20 the
Jurors. Immediately upon their con
,lusion the clerk began TO take
(continued on Pare Fourtssn.)