The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-05-27
BECKER IS Again
FOUND GUILTY
Former Officer Convicted Second Time
As Rosenthai Slayer-Only One
Ballot Taken by Jury.
BECKER RETURNED TO TomBs
Counsel Announces AppeaI-oniy In
preference Of Higher Court or
Pardon Can Save Prisoner.

preference Of Higher Court or
Pardon Can Save Prisoner.
New York, May 22-Charles Beck
er. for the second time, today was held
responsible by jury for the Rosen'
thai murder, which nearly two years
ago awoke New York to realization
of corruption in the police department
and opened q new era of police re-
form.
Becker, a former police lieutenant,
was found guilty of murder in the first
degree. Only pardon or interior
ence again by the court OF appeals
can save him from following to the
electric chair the four gunner, who
shot Herman Rosenthal. the gambler.
early on the morning of July l6. 1912.
The jury today decided that the gun
men were Becker's agents.
One Ballot Taken.
One ballot decided Becker's fate. 1t
was unanimous for conviction. The
Jury reached its verdict in four hours
and four minutes. Tears streamed
down the foreman's face as he an
nounced the decision and tears stood
in the eyes Of the eleven other jury
men; but sympathy did not warp their
Judgment. They had agreed that the
confederation which the district at
torney failed to place at the first trial
to support the theories OF Rose. Val
lou and Weber, the three accom-
plices who turned informers. had been
furnished by the new witnesses at
the second trial.
Recker's counsel announced that he
would appeal and gained a weeks
stay for the preparation OF his future
campaign: The defendant was grant
ed a short meeting with his wife and
brothers. and then taken back to his
cell in the Toh0bs.
Becker and his wife were talking
shortly before S o'clock in a room ad-
joining the sheriff's Office, when a
court attendant announced the jury
had reached verdict. Mrs. Becker
was not permitted to accompany her
husband to the court room. Newspa,
per men. court attendants, counsel for
the. defense and District Attorney
Whitman and his staff were the only
other persons allowed admission. The
defendants two brothers. Jackson and
John Becker, the latter detective
lieutenant, hurried to side entrance
where they stood awaiting the YER
dict.
Little Group Hears Verdict.
When the little group In the court
room had found seats the twelve men
u,ho olhuo Lnau pookor'r foto flod
silently in with Foreman F. Meridian
Rlagden at their head. ......-...s... -, -.
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.
Its 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. He glanced 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?"
Rlagden, young man, brushed his
eyes with q handkerchief. already
damp. I'VE have" he said, softly.
I'VE find the defendant"
He hesitated a moment and contin-
ued in a whisper.
Verdict Is Guilty"
I'VE find the defendant guilty as
charged in the. indictment; guilty Of
murder In the first degree"
Becker's face was grave as he grip.
ped the bar In front of him. The
big muscles in his neck jumped out
in heavy rolls. The veins at his
temples swelled. His great frame
sWayed and dropped; then, with quick
control, 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 IL guilty" was his
verdict. too.
Becker stood motionless while these
questions were. being, put to the ju-
rors.. Immediately upon their conclus-
lObl tLlc ClcIh DcSdu " thhc A&SShCA q
pedigree" To the first questions
Becker answered in steady voice
that he was AZ years old, was born in
the United States. and that his par
ents had both been born In Germany.
Married." queried the clerk.
Almost in whisper he replied.
Yes"
AS to his occupation. Becker said
he was police officer in the city OF
New York, a Catholic and Of temper
ate 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 make any motions he deemed ad.
visable, asked for one week and re-
ceived 1t.
The whole proceeding from the
time Becker was pronounced guilty
until recess was declared occupied
scarcely four minutes.
- Dayia~ opI tho rhioou On no ilv