Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-09
THOMPSON GUILTY
Of KILLING THREE
VERDICT OF Jury
Hanging Decree in Dynamite
Case at Germantown Is
Quickly Ordered.
By 4 STAFF Correspondent.

By STAFF Correspondent.
ROCKVILLE, Nd. January s.-Guy
Vernon Thompson was convicted this
and sentenced to be hanged for dyna-
hitting the farmhouse -n8, James Bol-
ton. In Gefmantown, Md, and killing
Bolton and two bahtess Harold and
Evelyn, the children Mrs. Hattie
shipley. who--was living There at, the
time.
The verdict brought to close one
Of the most sensational and largely
attended trials ever held in the circuit
court Of Montgomery county. Rock
ville : -
Two hours and five minutes elapsed
hands Of the jury before the twelve
men returned to the courtroom and
the foreman, Charles E. Benson, re-
ported unanimous agreement had been
reached that Guy Vernon Thompson
was guilty Of murder in the first de-
gree.
It is understood that the jury spent
very little time agreeing on the guilt
Of the accused. but most Of the two
hours was taken up in deciding wheth-
er they should afiix the order that
capital punishment be given. which Is
a prerogative Of juries in Maryland.
While the foreman of the jury was
reporting. and later when Justice
Crner was handing down the SEN
tence of the accused, Thompson stood
in the crowded courtroom and hearl
the words that took away his life
without showing the slightest sign Of
emotion, the least tremble or the
movement of single muscle in his
face or body. When the judge asked
him II he knew Of any reason why
death should not be his penalty. he
answered mo" in q clear and steady
voice.
This impassive attitude Of Thomp-
sons has been feature of tho en-
tire trial. One witness after another
took the stand and told circumstances
that seemed enough in themselves to
convict him, and he seemed entirely
oblivious to them. His wife, Hester
Thompson, testified, and while say
ing that she loved her husband very
much, as much now as she ever had
told the story Of the night of the
explosion: how he had come home
with the dynamite. and practically
said that he was going out to take
revenge on Jim Bolton.
Thompson watched her the while
disinterestedly, and occasionally
yawned, as II bored with the whole
affair.
Hattie Shipley. Bottoms housekeep-
er, the only occupant Of the farm, who
lived through the explosion. graphic
ally described the scene Of slaughter
that met her gaze on regaining con-
sciousness after the dynamiting. and
Thompson's face showed no signs OF
any emotion T.
Defendant as Witness.
He himself took the stand and
pleaded in his own behalf, talking as
II he were a disinterested witness.
showing far less tension or nervocs-
ness than other witnesses. This stol-
idness and indifference amazed the
spectators in the court. and there was
much speculation as to whether it
was the outcome Of a hopeless surren-.
der to fate or a certain hardness and
uncommon amount Of nerve" When
the prisoner left the courtroom his
ewes were clear and he walked stead
lily.
When Justice Urner. speaking for
himself and the two associate judges,
Wo-thington and Peter, gave out the
sentence of the court. which he de-
scribed as the Solemn but clear and
conscientious duty Of the court" he
to the murder as zone Of tho