Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1922-04-13
CORONERS JURY
EXONERATES DAY
Oklahoma Oil Magnate Fold He
Did Right. =
He TELLS HOW BECK DIED
Mrs. Day Also Testifies Upon TRAGEDY
jury Holds Man Justified in
Protecting Wife and Home.
Though Staying Results.

Oklahoma City, Okla, April 10
Jean L. Day, former member of the
Oklahoma Supreme court commits
sion, wealthy oil man and Democratic
polltlclan, was exonerated by a coro-
ner's jury of the killing of Lieut.. Col.
Paul Ward Beck, u. S. army aviation
officer.
Day shot and killed Beck when he
found Mrs. Day struggling, according
to the testimony Of both the wife and
husband, in Colonel Beck's arms early
last Tuesday morning. The coroner's
jury delivered its verdict after deIiber-
ating just SO minutes
I'VE fnd,"a the verdict said, "that
Paul Ward Beck came to his death at
the hands of Jean P. Day and, from
the evidence, we conclude that said
Jean T. Day was justified in the de-
tense OF his wife and his home, even
though the unfortunate affair resulted
in the death of Paul Ward Beck, and
we recommend and advise that no
charges be filed nor prosecution be in
stltuted against Jean P. Day"
Mr.. and Mrs. Day Gratified.
Mr.. and Mrs. Day both expressed
their gratitude for the action of the
coroner,s jury at their home.
Il feel that this verdict has vind-
Gated my honor and has cleared my
'naE1e," said Mrs. Day. cit was the
honest act of an honest jury"
Inv i: "a
Judge Day. "They could not have
done anything else with the facts in
this case 1t not only absolves me from
blame, but, what is vastly more vital,
wipes away any possible reflection on
Mrs. Day."
Norman Pruitt, Days attorney, pre-
dicted that the coroner's verdict would
ring down the curtain on the Day
Beck case.
Hughes cannot prosecute further
and justify himself following this YER
dict" Pruitt said
County Attorney Hughes said he
would decide definitely later, but he
indicated plainly that he would pos
sibly' drop the matter.
Both Volunteer Testimony.
The stories of the tragedies told by
Mr.. and Mrs. Day were dramatic. The
stories were told not only to the coro-
ner's jury but to an army court of in
Quiry, composed of eight members of
Colonel Beck's flying squadron, and
more than 1000 men and women.
Neither the former judge nor Mrs.
Day was asked to take the stand. After
the state had presented evidence from
a dozen or more witnesses and appar-
emily built up case against Day, both
volunteered to tell their stories.
''NIr and Mrs Day will waive all
immunity" Norman Pruitt, their
counsel, said. "They wish to tell their
stories.'
Verdict Stirs Officers.
Lieut.. Paul Ward Beck, son of Col
Onel Beck, and the other army men ap-
parently were bitter over the verdict.
'"This thing has just, started" said
Lieutenant Beck. "They may think
they can whitewash this man, but they
can't We're going through with this
thing"
Colonel Beck's body will be shipped
to Washington, where an army court
Of inquiry will be officially held
Day, who is tall and spare, told his
story with a simplicity and earnest
ness that lent it extreme dramatic
quality. He is the typical Southern
gentleman" and Mrs. Day is the epit-
ONE of Dixie wOmanhood At times
during the long ordeal of the inquest
she appeared almost on the verge of
collapse, but when she took the stand
she was calm and spoke slowly and
firmly, albeit softly.