Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-05-11


Deming, n. NJ, May 9.-The case
OF Mrs. Maud Doster, accused Of muir
dering her common-law husband. Capt.
Wade Doster United States medical
corps, came to dramatic end this
afternoon when District Judge Ray
mond X. Ryan accepted "A plea Of
guilty of second degree murder on the
plea Of Defense Attorney X. +. Hamll-
ton.
The plea came after the jury In the
case had been dismissed after deliberat-
ing since o o'clock last night. lt was
announced the jury stood hopelessly di-
vided, seven for conviction for first do
gree murder and five for acquittal on
the defense plea OF insanity.
Judge Ryan sentenced Mrs. Doster 10
serve not less than three or more than
four years In the state penitentiary.
the minimum penalty under the law.
Before sentence was pronounced
Judge Frank Doster of Pasadena. Cal,
former chief justice OF the Kansas SUI
preme court, and father OF the dead
army officer, In plea for clemency for
Mrs. Doster declared his son was more
guilty of wrong than the woman. al
though his wrongs toward her did not
warrant the taking Of life.
Judge Doster said that as he grew
older he was moved TO greater charity
toward his fellow man and begged the
= court to be as merciful to the woman as
the law would allow.
At the conclusion Of the old Judges
appeal the few people who were in the
court room were weeping. Even the
court attaches, who have witnessed
many sad scenes. made no effort TO con-
ceal their emotions. One OF the jurors
who fingered behind after the crowd
had left the building and witnessed the
scene walked out Of the court house
: weeping.
Neither the district attorney. ]. $.
Vaught. nor Attorney Fred Sherman,
who assisted in the defense, were pres
ent when sentence was pronounced.
, Among the few who witnessed the clos
ing scenes Of the trial was Mrs. j. J.
Clark Of Columbus. who has remained
faithfully by Mrs. Doster's side
throughout the nerve-racking ordeal of
the trial; DIR. Janet Reid, and Judge
Frank Doster and his son, John Doster
The case was one Of the most stub
,, bOrnly contested in the history OF the
county and on all sides there was evil
dence of relief when It was concluded.
sympathy for Mrs. Doster was gen.
eral and unconcealed. but the situation
In which she was placed was such that
those who desired to be as lenicnt as
possible were in no position to aid her.
; She was charged with first degree muir
; der and there was no latitude allow ed
: the jury in returning verdict which
e would permit the imposition Of a short
e prison sentence. As IL was proven the
= woman act was premedtated and 'ie-
e liberate, there was little chance cf a
{ verdict of second degree murder. which
? under the New Mexico law presumes
{ the homicide is committed while one is
4 la frenzy or is seized and itlpa,lcd
= by Sudden anger or passion.
= That ete crime was the deed II an
$ unbalanced mind was the logical ,ie-
r fensc. emo the skilful handling Of this
D phase Of the testimony by Mira Dos
ter's attorney, In the form of tVo hypc.
thesiseS. Ia the opinion OF lawyers un-
douhietly saved her life and will al
must certainly result In her obta ming
her liberty after she serves a brief term
n
|, Ia prison
e The state, too, regards the outcome Ms
o something Of n victory, owing TO the
e fact that seven Of the jurors voted con-
tinuously and finally for verdict Of
murder in the first degree. something
r almost unprecedented la New Mexico IN
G case involving woman defendant.
G Captain Doster was shot ana killed
r In the room the couple occupied In the
h Clark hotel at Columbus, n. NJ. After
:. shooting Captain Doster, the woman
z. shot herself and Is barely convalescinf
from the effects Of a bullet wound IN
, the breast.
: The couple had been separated. bui
Mrs. Doster returned day before the
shooting. Another woman, Mrs. Lult
n Beckley, figured In the case. and at ~
d Paso. after the shooting, said she had
It been engaged 10 marry Captain Dostei
$ as son as he could free himself from