The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-05-23
BECKER CONVICTED,
GETS WEEK ON APPEAL
Only a Pardon or Interference by Court
of Appeals Can Save Him from
Electric Chair, Following
Return of the Verdict.

New York, May 23.--Twelve men de-
cided yesterday for the second time that
Charles Becker was the h-conspirator
responsible for the Rosenthal murder
which nearly two wears ago awoke New
York to a realization of corruption in
the police department and opened new
era OF police reform.
Becker, once police lieutenant, was
found guilty of murder in the first de-
gree. Only pardon or interference
again by the court of appeals can save
him from following to the electric chair
the four gunmen who shot Herman Ro-
senthal, the gambler. early on the morn
ing of July 16, 1912. The jury yester-
day decided that the gunner were Beck
er's agents.
One ballot decided Becker's fate. IL
was taken almost immediately after the
jurors returned from luncheon at an up
town hotel, where they went as soon as
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Seahury
finished his charge. 1t was unanimous
for conviction.
Tears streamed down the foreman's
face as he announced the decision and
tears stood in the eyes of several other
iurymen, but sympathy did not warp
their judgment.
They had agreed that the corrobora-
tion which the district attorney failed
to present at the first trial to support
the stories of Rose. Vallon aud Webber-
the three accomplices who turned in
formers--had been furnished by the new
witnesses at the second trial.
Becker's counsel announced that he
would appeal and gained weeks stay
for the preparation of his future cam
paign. The defendant was granted n
short meeting with his wife and his
brothers and then taken back to his cell
in the Tombs.
Becker and his wife were talking
shortly before o'clock in room ad-
joining the sherifr's office when a court
attendant from the Judges chambers an
nounced that the jury had reached
verdict. Mrs Becker was not permitted
to accompany her husband to the court
room. Newspaper men. court attend
ants, counsel for the defense and Dis
trict Attorney Whitman and his staff
were the only other persons allowed ad
The defendants two brothers, Jack
son and John Becker, the latter de-
tective lieutenant, hurried to a side en-
trance. where they stood awaiting the
verdict All other doors to the court
room were locked.
When the little group in the court
room had found seats. door at the
back was opened to admit the Jury. The
IL men who alone knew Becker's fate
filed silently in with Foreman f. Meri-
den Blagden at their head. All IL faces
were expressionless.
Becker Gets Summons.
Becker, in the room overhead, was still
talking to his wife when Justice Sea-
bury took his seat Clerk Penny called:
"Charles Becker to the bar" and
baiiff was sent for the defendant. Beck
er kissed his wife and left her.
sits all right" he told her. "Don't
worry. They'll free me-"
Becker entered by the same door which
the Jury had passed through but a min
ute before. He walked briskly TO the
rail. facing Justice Seabury and gripped
il with both hands. His face was color
less.
He glanced hopefully al the Jury, his
yaze resting upon the face of each man
Tor fraction of second. But he did
not catch the eve of single man.
To all outward appearances the jury
did not even know the defendant was in
the room, Clerk Penny asked the jury to
rise.
foreman" he said, "have you reached
, verdict 2''
Blagden. a youngish man, blond and
slim, brushed his eyes with a handker
,hief, already damp.
1--WE have" he said softly. eve find |
he defendant -" he hesitated a mo-
nent and continued in a whisper:
1--WE find this defendant guilty as
,harged in the indictment; guilty of |
murder in the first degree"
How Becker Received Verdict.
Becker's face was gray as he gripped /
he bar in front of him with all his |
strength.
The big muscles OF his neck jumped /
nut in heavy rolls. The veins at his /
emples swelled.
His great frame swayed and dropped; |
hen. with quick control, he became him.
'elf again.
Big tears welled into the eyes Of the /
title foreman. He wiped them away
With his hand and then the clerk began