The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-23
TWELVE MEN oELlsERATE FOR
AN HOUR AND A HALF
LAST NIGHT.
Excused at Midnight Until This Morn.
ina-Testimony Concluded at
Afternoon Session.

NAVNn last ulLuA was tAtuctu uuIi
$3.50 this morning. after celebrating
for an hour and half. Even to the
last moment. when the jury was ex.
cused for the night. the court room
remained packed with deeply interest
ed spectators.
Judge A. H. Robinson opened the
night session by instructing the jury,
and In a short review OF the case the
Judge pointed out that unless the jury
believed there were extenuating cir.
cumstances. or that the defendant was
insane, verdict OF frst degree muir.
der should be returned. The judge
also pointed out that partial insanity
would not alleviate the crime.
Following the instruction. Attorney
Frank O'Brien. assistant prosecutor.
took up the argument for the State.
By former agreement the debate had
been limited to two hours on each side.
Attorney O'Brien did not mince words.
but strongly demanded of the jury the
death penalty. following up this de-
mand by a complete review of the
case
During his argument, which was
dramatic throughout. Miss Mayme
Letzkus. sister OF the murdered girl.
showed the great strain of the past
weeks. Her sobs could be heard in
all parts Of the court room. and there
was a general expression of sympathy
for her She was dressed entirely In
black. and sat with bowed head dur
ing the whole session.
Watkins Remains Calm.
William watkins still retained his
calm and sat absolutely quiet, even
during the scorching condemnations
heaped upon him by Attorney O'Brien.
At the close Of the arguments, and
while the verdict OF the jury was
awaited. Watkins was more calm tnan
ever and talked TO all who would lis
ten OF such trivial things as stone
wall construction. Once he spoke OF
the fateful day and smiled at how
easily Deputy Sheriff Lafayette
Graner lad captured him.
Edward Hildebrand sat very quietly
during the session. His head was
bowed and he seemed 10 be hopeleSsiy
tired and sad.
Attorney Carl Backman rose for the
defendants argument Immediately al
ter Attorney O'Brien had finished In
the court were many local members
OF the bar. and quite a few OF them
were there TO hear the young attor-
ney. for this was MIR. Bachman's trst
case. This initial appearance did not
seem TO worry Attorney Bachman.
however. and he made a stdong and
complete plea FOR his defendant. RE
based his argument upon the loye or
William Watkins for Fannie Bond hit
debrand. and of her alleged insinrer-
ity. He did not argue TO any extent
the insanity OF his client In closing
he asked for recommendation OF lie
Imprisonment from the jury.
Prosecutor Mckee again took up the
argument for the state, demanding the
life Of the defandant At the close
of his argument the court Instructed
the jury as TO the six kinds Of ger
diets that might be returned-nrst
degree. first degree with imprison-
ment recommendation. second degree.
voluntary manslaughteT. involuntary
mansiaughter. and not guilty.
The jury then fled into the jury
room, at 1880 At 11:1S word was
sent out that the jury wished TO know
what constituted FIRST degree murder
and what constituted second degree
murder. The jury was called in and
the oourt read the Instructions. the
judge pointing out that all murders
that were wilful. malicious and pre-
meditative were FIRST degree. and that
all others were second degree The
jury went back into the jury room,
jury sent word al mid. night that a yer.
dict could not be reached and asked
10 be excused until morning w. o.
Underwood was elected foreman Of
the jury
Afternoon Session.
When court convened az O'Clock
the accused was still on the stand on
direct examination. He reclted In
stances when Hildebrand had been In
the presence OF Miss Letzkus and him
self. a feeling had welled into his
heart that be could lot explain. nor
overcome
His story was one 10 command both
sympathy and disgust A number o.
persons in attendance az court out
wardE showed their disbelief In his
story from time 20 time IN the course
Of his testlm ony. Watkins said that he
bad heard witnesses testify that Hide.
brand and the Letzkus woman we're
married but as for himself. be would
rather see the marriage certificate
This statement was the first intima-
ton since the beginning Of the trial.
a. 20 any illegitimate relations be-
tween The docedent and her husband
lt for the time. was Dot go unchsileng.
cd ln substantiating the statement.
Dc said. be- believed the girl" was
TOO Intelligent 90 marry Hudebrand
Tie told Oh about his relations 20
the household bis parting with Miss
Leizkus The morning she started fof
Cleveland their partlnga on alI oc.
caFlons. and lastly the feeling that be-
thought was mutual between them
Believed Hildebrsnd Married.
hldrbrand. according 20 the vii.
r''f. bad been comlng to The Lofzkur
home Dob company with a woman. b
Mrs. Lucas. Who. be-. Watkins. believed
was Hildebrand wife on the uiehf
before The shooting. Mrs Letzkus.
hldebrand. introduced her husband
Watkins became depressed Dee
eaiQ good nlght. len the house.
crossed me national road fo the gas
oHnr station. whore boz STAYED until
storm came up. and then went back
no huoIlors store whore hc purchased
some cigarettes. after This hr went
10 the confectionery. then 10 bic homo
and 10 bed. fic stated he tried t9
sleep. but couldn't owing t0 that Do.
precision ho seemed t9 br iaborng