The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1921-12-08

j. j. Baker, charged with the mur-
der of Ralph Rozell, which occurred in
this city in the law offices of Robson
g. Hendricks Wednesday morning,
July 18th, must spend the rest of his
natural life behind the walls of the
state penitentiary at Canon City. The
jury, after being in the jury room ex-
actly eleven minutes at 2:21 o'clock
Friday afternoon, December End,
brought in verdict of Guilty" and
fixed the penalty at life Imprisonment
in tho penitentiary. Only two bal
lots were taken by the jury, one be-
ing that of guilty and the other fix
ing the penalty at life Imprisonment,
each ballot being unanimous.
List of Jurors
Emery Hodges John Wright, Jr.
Nj. c. Peterson Bert Mccoy
Albert Hinck Arthur Almstead
Godfrey Bentson Ira C. Mast
Fred Padgett Walter Eckman
G. c. Benson J. M. Thompson
After the closing eloquent argument
of attorney Isaac Pelton for the Peo-
pie, which lasted for one hour and five
minutes, the jury retired to their
room at 2:10 o'clock Friday afternoon
in custody of Baliffs F. E. Allen and
Tom Jenkins. The court room, which
had been crowded to capacity, thin
ned out as number of people left,
they expecting that some time would
be required in the deliberations of the
jury before verdict was reached.
However, large number remained
seated to await the decision of the
tIXy anf
heard on the door of the jury room,
the court room and announced to
Judge Stephenson that the jury had
arrived at verdict and were ready to
report. This announcement created
a big surprise to the court officials
as well as to all present, it being a
record time for jury to reach a YER
dict in murder case where the de-
fendant was charged with first de-
gree murder.
The twelve jurors marched in and
took their places in the jury box, and
soon afterward the defendant was
brought into the court room by the
sheriff, who had just previously tax
en- Baker down to the county Jail.
There was a marked silence over the
room, broken by Judge Stephenson,
who asked the jurors if they had
reached a verdict. The judge was
given an affirmative answer, and Mr..
Emery Hodges, as foreman, handed
the verdict to Bailiff Allen, who in
turn handed it to the court. Judge
Stephenson read the verdict of
Guilty." and the penalty fixed at
life Imprisonment, and asked the jur-
ors if this was their verdict. All
twelve men answered "Yes." The de-
fendant, upon hearing the reading of
the verdict, maintained an Indifferent
attitude, and did not evidence any
emotion at his fate. The wife and
children of the defendant arose from
their seats and walked out of the
room Immediately after hearing the
verdict. They had been present every
minute during the four days and a
half of the trial. Judge Stephenson
thanked the jurors for their services
and excused them for the term. The
defendant was taken from the room
in the custody of sheriff Thunderstorm
and deputy John Sincock.
Thus ended one of the largest trials
ever held in this section, and one that
created great interest, as was evil
denced by the large crowds in atten-
dance. This trial was marked for its
fairness, and Judge Stephenson is to
be highly complimented for the eff
cient manner in which it was conduct
ed, there not being the slightest in
dication of any impartiality being
shown to either the defense or prose
cution, Judge Stephenson proved
himself the right man in the right
place, as the presiding judge in such
an important case.
The trial. as it progressed, proved
to be a real legal battle, District At
torney Roy T. Johnson of Sterling
deputy district attorney W. H. Pound
of this city, and attorney Isaac Pei
ton, of Akron, being arrayed for the
People against attorneys George
Hastings of Grant and H. A. Dano of
Ogallala, counsel for the defense. The
attorneys for both sides put every
effort into the case, and considerable