Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-23


 New York, May 22-Twelve men decided today for the second time that Charles Becker was the arch conspirator responsible for the Ro- senthal murder, which nearly two years ago aweke New York to re- aliziation of corruption in the police police reform.
 Becker once a police lieutenant, was found guilty of murder in the first de- gree, Only a pardon or interference again by the court of appeals can save him from following to the electric chair the four gunmen who shot Herman Rosenthal, the gambler, early on the morning of July 16, 1912. The jury today decided that the gunmen were Becker's agents.
 It was learned that five ballots were taken to decide Becker's fate. The first ballot is said to have stood six for guilty in the first degree, two for not guilty, three for a lesser de- gree and one blank. A second ballot. taken after the jurors had had lunch con. brought one man over to the ma jority. The third ballot showed a gain of two and the fourth stood ten for guilty. The fifth was unanimous. Tears streamed down the foremans s face as he announced the decision and tears stood in the eyes of several other II their judgment They had agreed that the corrobation which the district att torney failed to present at the first trial to support the stories of Rose, Vallon and Webber the three accomplices who turned informers, had been fur nished by the new witnesses at the sec- one trial
 Beckerss counsel announced that he would appeal and gained a weeks stay for the preDaration of his future carl- paign- The defendant was granted a short meeting with his wife and his brothers and then taken back to his cell in the TornbS
 Becker and his wife were talking shortly before o'clock in a room ad- joining the sheriffs office when a court announced that the Jury had reached verdict Mrs. Becker was not per- mitted to accompany her husband to the court room
 Public Excluded from, Court Room.
 Newspa permen, court attendants, counsel for the defense and District Attorney Whitman and his staff were the only other persons allowed admis- SIon- The defendants two brothers, Jackson and John Becker, the latter detective lieutenant, hurried to a side entrance, where they stood awaiting the verdict All other doors to the court room were locked.
 NuCn LuG tlLLG EIUup III lIic COuTl room had found seats, a door at the back was opened to admit the jury. The twelve men filed silently in, with Foreman F. Meriden Blagden at their head. All their faces were expression less.
 Justice Seabury mounted the bench. He glanced quickly at the faces of the jurors, but he learned nothing there. Old court attendants who declared long practice had made them able usually to tell the verdict by the jurors looks admitted that on this oc- casion they were at a loss,
 Becker in the room overhead was still talking to his wife when Justice Seabury took his seat. Clerk Penny called Charles Becker to the bar ' ant Becker kissed his wife and left her.
 Its all right he told her Don't worry They'll free me-
 Becker entered by the door through which the jury had passed only min- ute before He walked briskly to the raii, facing Justice Sea6ury, and grip pei it with both hands His face was ccioriess. He glanced hopefully at the jury, his gaze resting upon the face of each man for fraction of a second But to all outward appearances the jury did not even know the defendant was in the room.
 Verdict of Jury Announced.
 Clerk Penny asked the jury to rise.
 Foreman" he said, have you reach ed verdict ?-'
 Blagden, a ssssssg;sa mar, blond and slim, brushed his eyes with handker- chief, already damp. We have" he said, softly. we find the defendant-r he hesitated moment and continued in q whisper, We find this defendant guilty as charged in the indictment guilty Of murder i'll the first degree
 Bcckcrss face was gray as lie grip ped the bar in front of him with all his strength. The big muscles in his neck jumped out in heavy rolls. The veins in his temples swelied. His greai frame swayed and dropped, then, witt quick control. he became himself again
 Big tears welled into the eyes of the Little foreman. lie wiped them away with his hand and then the clerk be- gan to ask the questions required bs law The roll was called and each in dlvidual juror was asked if Guilty was his verdict. too.
 Becker stood motionless while these questions were being put to the jurors Immediately upon theirsconcfusion the clerk began 10 take Reclter,s s-pedi- gree To the first question Becker answered in a steady voice that he wal ss years old was born in the United States and that his parents had botf been born in Germany
 s-Marrsed?" queried the clerk.
 For a moment Becker did not an- swer- Then, almost in a whisper. he replied Yes
 As to his occupation. Becker said he was a former police officer in the city Of New York Catholic and of tenn perate habits. Asked whether he hai ever been convicted before, Becker looked fet2,essly at his counsel, Mar tin T. Manfor who was standing be- eide him. Manton Inuinb;ed something The pair shook hands.
 Whats the answerz again asked the clerk
 hnrr ever. answered for him ~So '
 Justice Seaburx thanked each mar 0f the jurr for his services and the, GGx TT tpqnl Nanton. told by thI