Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-04-11
Tuesday, April II, 1922.
OKLAHOMA SENSATION
Jean Day Justified in Killing Lieut.
& COL Beck.
CASE INVESTIGATED BY THE CORONER
All Six Jurors Are Agreed in the Find
ins--Both Day and His Wife Testify
at the Inquest.


Oklahoma city, April, S.-Ho'ding
that JeaR Day, prominent attorney and
oil man Mas Justified in the Killing Of
Lieut.. Cor Pau4Sward Beck at the Day
home early Tuesday, coroner's jury
+. returned a veiaict here tonight recon-
mending that no charges be preferred
against Day. s5s ~ .
The crowded. court was sileat as it
heard the verdict read. Mr.. and Mrs.
Day displayed no emotion, and acter il
had been read, they arose, Mr.. Day
shook hands with Coroner McWilliams,
and the party walked slowly from the
room without a word between them.
The text OF the verdict follows:
We, the coroncr's jury, duly sworn
and empanneiede to inquire into the
cause Of the death of Paul Ward Beck,
after hearing evidence introduced be-
fore us from witnesses, and after view
ing the body of Paul Ward Beck, do
upon our oath find and report:
That Paul Ward Beck came to his
from the evidence submitted to us con-
clude that Jean p. Day was justified in
defending his wife and himself even
though the unfortunate affair. resulted
in the death of Paul Ward Beck and
we therefore, commend and advise
that no charges be filed or prosecution
Instituted against Jean p. Day"
The verdict was signed by all six
jurors.
Day and Wife Witnesses.
Oklahoma City, April Son the wit
ness stand in a packed court room here
tonight. Jean r. Day and his wife told,
with emotion of the Staying of Lieut.,
Col. Paul w. Beck In a broken voice,
but with a gleam of determination in
his eye, Day, said She killed the army
aviator accidentally when he sought to
drive Beck from his home after finding
him Alternating to attack Mrs. Day
early Tuesday.
II got there IN time to protect her
and 1 did," Day testified.
Leaning. over and pointing his finger
to County Attorney Hughes, Day said
in a pleading voice: Il want to say to
you boys, you can prosecute me to the
limit, but don't make such statements
as you have to the newspapers reflect
ing on the purest, sweetest woman in
the world"
The county attorney replied that he
had tried to be fair, but that it was his
position as the screpresentative OF the
state to bring out every angle of the
case.
Beck threw his arms around me,
crying Girl, girl, you swept me off my
feet and asked me to come to his
room that night MRS. Day testified.
When Day saw Beck holding. Mrs. Day
ON the diyan she was fighting him, he
had his right arm around her. His 9TH
er hand was above her knees.
You don't know what you are say
ing. 1 could not do that" Mrs. Day
testified she replied to Eeck. She said
she did not hear her husband enter the
IOuSS "ilSIi iS "SLl ~ SCI his ~
volver. 5
II don't know whether I beat his
face" she said, declaring she used both
hands to fight off Beck's left arm.
Mrs. Day testified she first saw her
husband as he descended the stairs
with a'revolverin one hand. my God,
Daddy, don't do that" she said she
cried. Beck had jumped up from the
divan meanwhile and had retreated to
another room, she said.
The next thing she said she saw was
the body OF Beck lying on the floor.
Il did not see the shot fired. / did
not hear%the report" Mrs. Day testi-
fed. &&,f ..
81 looked down and saw his lips
move" she continued, 81 lifted his
head. then put his head back down and