Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-11
HUSBAND AND WIFE
DESCRIBE HOW ARMY
OFFICER WAS SLAIN
Millionaire JuriSt Says He
Did Not Intend to Kill Beck,
Defends Honor Of His
Wife-Court Room Packed

Wife-Court Room Packed
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, April 10.
BY the Associated Press.)-Holding
that Jean P. Day, prominent attor-
ney and oil man, was justified in the
killing of Lieutenant Colonel Paul
Ward Beck at the Day home early
Tuesday, a coroner's jury returned
a verdict Saturday recommending
that no charges be preferred against
Day.
The crowded courtroom was silent
as it heard the verdict read. Mr..
and Mrs. Day displayed no emotion
and after it had been read they arose.
Mr.. Day shook hands with Coroner
and the party walked
slowly from the room without word
between them.
The text verdict follows:
1--WE, the coroner's jury duly sworn
and empanelled to inquire into the
cause of the death of Paul Ward
Beck, after hearing evidence intro
duced before us from witnesses, and
after viewing the body of Paul Ward
Beck, do upon our oath find and
report:
"That Paul Ward Beck came to
his death at the hands of Jean p.
Day and from the evidence submit
ted to us conclude that Jean p. Day
was justified in defending his wife
and himself even though the unfoY
tunate affair resulted in the death of
Paul Ward Beck and we, therefore.
recommend and advise that no
charges be filed or prosecution in
stituted against Jean p. Day."
The verdict was signed by all six
of the jurors.
True Story Not Told, Says Son
County Attorney Hughes made no
announcement of what course he
would take when the jury returned
it's verdict absolving Day. He had
previously stated he would be guild
ed by the evidence adduced at the
inquest, but would not be bound by
the decision of the jurors.
Lieutenant Paul w. Beck, son OF
the slain officer, who attended the
inquest, said that Day had not told the
whole truth. MANY of the points
brought out seemed plausible" he
declared, but Gin my belief the true
story of the tragedy has not been
told"
Members of the military board of
inquiry. who attended the inquest,
would not say what further action,
if any, they would take.
On the witness stand in a packed
court room Day and his wife told
with emotion of the Staying of Beck.
In a broken voice, but with a CLEAN
of determination in his eve, Day
said he killed the army aviator acct
dcntally when he sought to drive
Beck from his home after finding
him attempting to attack Mrs. Day
early Tuesday.
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 tes-
titled.
II saw Colonel Beck holding Mrs.
Day on the divan," said Day. "She
was fighting him. He had his right
arm around her. His other hand
was about her knees.
Judge Day on Stand
Judge Day, haggard and worn
and looking a score of years older
than his fifty, walked slowly to the
witness chair.
Nervously he took a proffered
drink of water. Hughes advised
Day that any testimony he might
give might be later used against
him.
"I have known Colonel Beck since
early last fall" Day began.
"I gave him Beck) complete run
of my home. I loved him like
brother. 1 told him my home was
his.
fMrs. Day called me at the office
the night of April Sd and said we
would have supper downtown.
81 met Colonel Beck and told him
friends sent me some home brew.
and asked him if he wanted to go
on ahead and when I reached home
found him sitting on the front
porch. ssst
1--WE went to supper together. -
Went to Political Meeting
81 did not want to go to the the
alter, because / hate pictures.
81 went to a political meeting
while they went to the show.
Later we went to Prichard's
home. We danced and visited in
nice social way at Prichard's. Then
suggested that we go ever to our
house and hear some new records.
After everyone got ready to go
home, Mrs. Day said her feet were
so tired she would take off her
shoes to rest them.
when I came home from Prich-
ards, drove up to the side of the
house and left the automobile I'M
der the sleeping porch. I stepped
onto the porch"
Day rose to his feet.
"The blinds were up. Lights were
on. / saw Colonel Beck holding
Mrs. Day. He had her around the
waist. With one hand he clutched
her. She was pushing, fighting for
her life.
''I went to the front door. Colond
Beck jumped from the divan. He
walked back and disappeared be-
hind a portiere. 1 went quickly up
stairs. 1 knew he was a strong
man.
II got my gun and came back
down. Mrs. Day clutcked her hands
and said:
"'Oh, Daddy! Oh. Daddy! Don'tn
AS came through the door To-
ward him, said:
"'Get out of my house! I called
him a name. He sprang towards
his hand back.
"I struck him with all the
strength l had.
81 supposed he lodged. The gun
hit him and he went over onto the
floor.
E'NTrc nav 20 mo in opd cold. CNHry
God, Daddy, my God! What have
yol done?'
81 sWore to her 1 didn't mean to
kill him.
Il never saw a woman suffer so.
Then l called the police. I began
then to suffer more and more.
eff there ever was q true woman
"a goddess of purity, she is my
wife