The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-03-23
NOLTE GUILTY,
JURY DECIDES
LEE RITES MURDERER SAVED
FROM DEATH BY IURT'S
RECOMMENDING
Smiles Broadly as Verdict is Read
That's Not So Bad" He
Comments.

John Fl. Nolte, alias Jack Nolte, OF
Warwood, yesterday was found guilty
of murder in the first degree for the
killing of Robert Lee Ritz. late Wheel.
ing high school student and hero OIL
the high school football team. A rec
concentration of the jury that he. be
,contined for life in the state prison
at Moundsville save him from expl-
ating his crime with his life on the
gallows in that institution.
The verdict was returned at ~: lS
o'clock Yesterday morning and Nolte
expressed In his features little Of the
fear that must have gripped his heart
las Deputy Clerk Harry T. Clouse
opened The paper which bore the
decree of his fate.
The Verdict.
we. the jury, find The defend
ant, John H. Nolte. alias Jack
Nolte, guilty of murder in the first
| degree in manner and form as
charged lin the within Indictment;
and we further find that the de-
PENDANT be punished By contlne-
ment in the penitentiary.
FIRED II. STROEHMAN.
Foreman"
! so say all of you, gentlemen?"
read the clerk.
eve do" every man OF the twelve
assented, and Nollc smiled a broad
smile.
what are you laughing att"
snapped Attorney Frank A. O'Brlen,
chief counsel for the man upon whose
future twelve citizens had just passed.
Not So Bad, Says NoIte.
"Life's a long time, but that's not so
bad after ALL" was the convicted muir
derer's comment.
Their duty done. the jury was ex'
cuscd until Monday morning. March
%, when the przelenski murder case
/! is TO come up. Judge Alan II. Robin.
son expressing his appreciation OF
their consideration Of the case.
! Attorney Frank A. O'Brien imme-
diately asked for new trial, and this
motion was set down for argument
Ion Saturday. April I, but there are
flew acquainted with the case who be
/ ieye that the motion will be pressed
! Verdict Causes Surprise.
| No little surprise was caused by the
verdict. It is known that the jury the
! previous evening had agreed that the
! defendant was guilty OK murder in the
| first degree. but was still divided on
! The question of tho death penalty or life
! Imprisonment. The first ballot on this
feature OF the verdict was TO for the
death penalty. and later 1t is known that
| the jury stood . 10 . for inflict;on OF
! the extreme penalty. The fact that the
! three SWING the others To the life i'm
prSonment verdict so quickly yesterday
; caused no it'll" comment and unfavor-
able criticism Of the Jury's finding that
spared Noitr the cXpiation OF his crime
, with his life.
I Nuilc. cool as any man in the court
room. after he WAS remanded 10 jail.
! walked quietly TO the office or the
county jail where h" greeted his mother
and sisters. informing them that his
, life had been spared. 4 pathetic scene
! followed and Inars flowed from the eyes
nf the few who witnessed it in sorrow
/ for the women who have remained loyal
! 20 him despite his deed and his confess
/ SinnS OF an abnormal life.
I During the morning N0ite went to
I Judge Robinson and took exception to a
: statement published in The Register that
the night before lie had Ia he assisted
| from tho court room by deputy sherffS.
; Although he did show the effects Of tho
, nervous strain. lrn showed no signs oil
: weakness or q breakdown.
! County's Longest Murder Trial.
, The Noltc trial. requiring almSt ten
. days as il did. Is the longest murder
! trial in the history OF Ohio county Grim