Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-05-23
LIFE SENTENCE
GIVEN E|CH0RN
Jury Out Only a Short Time BE-
fore Returning Verdict of
Murder in First Degree.
NOW IN MARQUETTE PRISON
Immediate Trial for Bremen Asked
and Change of Venue Pctitioned
For.

1t took the jury n the Albert
Eichorn case just a little over two
hours to bring in a verdict of guilty,
Monday afternoon, after having been
charged by Circuit Judge Monet.
The verdict came on the second ballot
of the jury.
When the jury returned to the court
room tense silence held sway, the
audience having been warned by the
court to make no demonstration.
When the foreman of the jury deliv-
cred the verdict, guilty there was a
shutting OF feet, quick intake OF
breath, as the crowd sat back in the
chairs, satisfied. because Of popular
verdict based squarely upon the evil
dence that had been returned.
Judge Moiuet turned to Eichorn and
asked him if he had anything to say.
Apparently calm. but with perspira-
tion seeping through the pores in his
forehead, he still maintained his inno-
cence.
The judge spoke of the fate which
had overtaken Albert Eichorn, before
pronouncing sentence upon him, set
ting forth to him and to the packed
court room, that the fate was the
simple, plain result OF a mis-spent
life. He spoke feelingly of the wife,
who had clung to him in spite of all,
and of the painful feelings which she
was forced to endure. Then sentence
was pronounced, life at Marquette
prison.
Albert II ehorn was Immediately
taken into the custody Of the officers,
brought to Alma, and on the 1850
train was started for Marquette,
where prison doors have now closed
upon him, a man who has for years
been menace to society.
The attorneys for .ne defense and
the prosecution made their pleas to
the jury the latter part of the week,
Attorneys Kelly 5 Searl and Ora L.
Smith speaking for the prosecution
and Attorneys Charles II. Goggin and
William Smith for the defense All
of them made brilliant pleas, in their
efforts to sway the jury. Ora l..
Smith, prosecutor. IN ;iis plea made
mention OF the work, which had been
done by David Beaudry in working
up the case. and said that If man
was entitled 10 the reward. Beaudrv
was, if the jury found Eichorn guilty.
1t is taken 10 mean that the French
Canadian who has been making ms
home in this city will receive the re-
ward OF two thousand dollars which
was offered last fan by the Gratiot
board of supervisors for evidence
leading TO the arrest and conviction oil
the murderer or murderers Of Bea-
trice Epler, the Alma girl for whose
death Eichorn was tried.
The conviction of Albert Eichorn
means that John f. Brennan of Flint
and lnez Johnson, the Alma woman.
who are held i'm conection with the
death Of Beatrice Epler on charges of
murder, will be brought to trial. and
the conviction Of Eichorn seems to
foreshadow the conviction of these
Immediately following the convic-
tion of Albert Eichorn, the attorneys
for John f. Brennan, Flint Snowman,
one of the three held on a charge o.
murder in connection with the death
Of Miss Beatrice Epler of this city,
asked for an immediate trial for him.
This was followed 10y petition 30
the court for change of venue. and
il is said that the defense favors hav.
ing the case tried in Montcalm county.
The arguments on the motion for Z
change. of venue will come Monday.
and if the petition for the change IS
turned down by Circuit Judge Monet,
the trial will be Immediately started.
If the motion for the change is
granted the case will be held up for
time at least pending the necessary
arrangements to have the case tried
in some other county
The jury is asked to report the fore
part Of the week. and if the venue
change is granted other cases will be
taken up in circuit court.
The conviction Of Eichorn recalls
the finding Of the body Of Beatice Ep-
Ter at point a number of rods north
Of her home on Grover avenue on the
morning Of September 10. 1917, al
most three-duarters Of year ago.
Strangulation was at once evident.
as finger marks were plainly indent-
ed in the neck Of the young girl.
County officers were quickly called in
but failed TO make neadway in the
case, although the finger of suspicion
pointed to Albert Eichorn from the
Continued on page nine)