The Washington times., 1919-11-02

OF the Government and counsel for
the balance brought a verdict with
in fifteen minutes that he was guilty
of the crime-guilty of first degree
murder. They realized-these twelve
talesmen-that the penalty for the
crime was death.
What might have happened had
this boy of sixteen, who conjured w
in his imaginative brain a picture
story Of how he had shot, killed, and
robbed his friend and comrade-his
constant companion whom he loved
more than anything on earth?
Betz's father is dead. his mother is
in a hospital, and he is employed al
the Marist College. The fathers never
believed him guilty of the crime
which stirred Washington to its
depths. 1t was one of the most
brutal in the annals of the Washing
ton Police Department.
Charged Third Degree.
Frank S. Smith, Counsel for Web
ster when he was on trial last week
charged the police with using the
third degree" on his client in obtain
inC the confession of guilt. He
charged that the detectives had
threatened to put Webster in a Sweat
box If he did not confess; that they
made him promises; that they de-
rrived him of clothing to keep his
body warm.
Now. didn't you put him through
the third degree to get this comics
sion?" shouted Attorney Smith, as De-
tective Sergt. Edward J. Kelly, OF
Police Headquarters, was testifying
concerning the admission of guilt that
Webster had made to him three days
after his arrest as a suspect in the
case.
Third degree" rejoined Kelly. with
some heat. What do you mean by
third degree? No! Webster sent fo-
me and volunteered to contestant
sweat box-there is no such thing at
Police Headquarters"
In police parlance the third degree
is the process of examining a prisoner
for the purpose of obtaining informa-
ton. 1t is sometimes accompanied
by severe treatment. Detective Kelly
denied that Webster had been severe
ly treated. He said Webster had made
conflicting statements. When trapped
he was willing to confess-probably
I" relieve his conscience. Kelly said.
Boys Conscience Clear.
But it is certain that Betz did not
Fave the murder on his conscience
ether than what he claims was put
there by the persistent accusations
that he knew all about the crime and
the demands that he tell the truth.
Obtaining the confession from Web
ster and convinced of his guilt. the
police eliminated Betz. who confessed
TO at least six detectives. only to re-
nudiate the admissions when it was
demanded Of him to take them to the
spot where he had secTeted the pistol
arc the money which was stolen from
thc right shoe of Duvall after ht had
beer slain.
IL was on the night of June last
that young Duvall was lured to his
death. Two days later his bullet.
pierced body was discovered in the
clump of woods near the Catholic INT
versity by Edward Wall colored
youth. who was driving a cart on a
nearby road. Capt. Thomas Judge. OF
the Tenth precinct, was summoned
and found mystery on his hands.
He sent Duvalrs body, unidentified
at that time, to the District morgue.
Was Paid Salary.
In short order the wheels OF in.
vestigation of the police department
began to hum PIaincIothes and uni
formed men were rushed to the Tenth
precinct to unravel the brutal crime.
They found that on June I DuvalI
had been paid his months salary. and
that he had left the college about j