Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-23
John Becker, the latter q detective
lieutenant, hurried to side entrance
where they stood awaiting the verdict.
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JOnn Becker, the latter detective
lieutenant, hurried to a side entrance
where they stood awaiting the verdict.
Little Group Hears Verdict.
When the little group. In the court
room had found seats the twelve men
who alone knew Beck er's fate. filed
silently in with Foreman F. Meridian
Blagden at their head.
Becker in the room overhead was
still talking to his wife when Supreme
Court Justice Seabury took his seat.
A bailiff was sent for the defendant.
Becker kissed his wife as he left her.
It's all right" he told her. Don't
worry. They'll free me-"
Becker walked briskly to the rail
facing Justice Seabury and gripped it
with both hands. His face was color
less. HeIglanced hopefully at the jury,
but did not catch the eye Of single
man. Clerk Penny asked the jury to
rise.
Foreman" he said, "have you
reached a verdict?"
Blagden, a young man. brushed his
eyes with handkerchief, already
damp 1--WE have" he said, softly. I'VE
find the defendant
He hesitated moment and con,in-
ued in a whisper:
Verdict 10 Guilty"
I'VE find this defendant guilty as
charged in the indie tment; guilty Of
murder in the first degree"
Becker's face was gray as he gripped
the bar in front Of him. The big mus
cles in his neck jumped out in heavy
rolls. The veins at his temples swelled.
D.
then. with quick cotrol. he became
himself again.
Big tears welled into the eyes Of the
little foreman. He wiped them away
and then the clerk began to ask the
questions required by law. The roll
was called and each individual juror
was asked II guilty was his verdict,
too
Becker stood motionless while these
questions were being put to the jurors.
Immediately upon their conclusion the
clerk began to take Becker's pedigree. .
To the f1rst questions Becker answered
in a steady voice that he was 43 years
old. was born in the United States, and
that his parents had both been born
in Germany.
"Married?" queried the clerk.
Almost in whisper he replied "Yes."
Justice Thanks Jury.
AS to his occupation Becker said he
was q police officer in the city Of New
York. q Catholic and Of temperate
habits.
Justice Seabury thanked each man Of
the jury for his services and they left
the room.
Manton. told by the court he would
be granted a reasonable time In which
to mako any motions he deemed ad-
asked for ono week and re-
ceived it.
The whole proceeding from the time
Becker was pronounced guilty until a
recess was declared occupied scarcely
four. minutes.
In the meantime jackson Becker and
John Becker, atanding at the door to
the court room, had heard the verdict.
Jackson sank Into . court attendants
CHAIR an dshnried Ats fasssin his hands:
Ars, Becker's brother, John Lynch. and
John Becker. both or them showing
their grief, hurried to the room where
Beckers wife was waiting. Every
body In the building and even a crowd
In the street outside knew that Becker
had been found guilty. But Mrs.
Becker, sitting behind closed doors, did
not know it until John Becker entered
the room. His face showed what had
happened His shoulders We're bent and
shaking, his cheeks were wet. Mrs.
Becker cola psed and was still sobbing
when her husband was led into the
room. She threw her arnrs around his
neck and buried her face on his
shoulder.