The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-09-19
BRAz|EL ACQUITTED
Of MI RIDER CHARGE
BY FORT WORTH JURY
JURORS OUT But SHORT TINE
BEFORE RETURNING YER
DICT OF NOT GUILTY;
BALLOTS TAKEN

Fort Worth. Sept. 18.-Bob Braziel
of Fort Worth and formerly Of Ard
more. Okla, was acquitted early Sat
urday night by jury in the criminal
district court Of the murder Of Les
Siger on Dec. 6, 1919, near the cor
ner of Fifteenth and Main streets.
Siger was formerly city marshal
of Ardmore and was one Of two men
charged with the murder of Dow Bra
zel. a brother Of the defendant in
Ardmore, on January 30, 1919.
The case went to the jury at 3
o'clock following four addresses by
the prosecution and three by the de-
fense. The jury was out one hour
and thirty minutes and only three
ballots were taken. 1t was said that
the first ballot stood eight to four
for acquittal. Four held out for
manslaughter. After the verdict was
read Braziel smiled and shook hands
with his lawyer and several OF the
Jurors. His wife held his arm and
tears appeared in her eyes, His daugh-
ter also stood by his side, holding his
hand.
Case to Jury
The case went to the jury at p. m.
Testimony in the case was completed
shortly after noon and Jess NJ. Brown,
district attorney opened the summing
up before the jury for the prosecut-
ing. District Attorney Brown only
reviewed the circumstances leading up
to the killing and refuted the theory
advanced by the defense that BraAel
was forced TO shoot in self defense.
Self Defense Claimed
According to the testimony Brazie'
could not be charged with either man.
slaughter or self-defensc. He shot
deliberately and he knew he shot tc
kill, as soon as he saw Sgler," Brown
said
Walter B. Scott followed for the
defense and declared that "Braziel
was forced to shoot because he knew
that Sigler would kin him. Sigler
made threats against him and accord
ing to one witness the former CHIEF
OF police OF Ardmore. Oklahoma, plan
ned TO bump him off. Braziel knew
this and IL was testified that as soon
as the men met, Sigler reached fol
| his six-shootcr. 1t Is obvious. gen
tlemen Of the jury, that the defendant
shot in self-defcnsc and he shot tC
save his own life.'
VIII Parker. assistant district at
torney was the next speaker for th'
prosecution and he also said tha
Braziel shot Siglor down in cold bloot
without any provocation. He killet
him because Slgler killed his brother
he said "He shot as soon as he saw
Sigler and several witnesses testified
that Braziel asked the deceased II h
had his gun with him and II he di,
he had better start using II. Thi'
shows he provocatcd the assault"
when man feels and knows
that his life Is in danger. he has
right 10 carry revolver or can
non. II necessary in defense Of hi
life," said sam Sayers representing
the defendant.
"Brasel knew that Sigler was afte
him and from the time that Dow
Brazicl was killed, Braslel armed him
self because he knew Sigler woul
shoot him on the first opportunit'
that presented itself. They met an,
Braziel shot. He had to, gentlemen
of the jury. and you know It,"
Arthnore Attorney Speaks
Guy II. sigler Of Ardmore, VIII
was employed TO assist the prosecu
ton graphically outlined the old fcu
that had existed between Siglcr an
Braziel in Ardmorc, and said tha
Sigler came to Fort Worth to attcn
to some personal business. "fIe di
not come here to look for Braziel,
he said. "In fact he would hav
avoided him II he did mec, him. sigle
was peaceful man and II he di
CONTINUED on Ya-e ~