The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-04-09
held THAT HE WAS
JUSTIFIED in KILLING
ITEUT.-COLONEL BECK
nav Saws that He Shot Acct
dentaiIy When He Tried to
Drive Beck from House.
WAS ATTACKING WIFE
OF MAN WHO SHOT HIM
Neither Mr.. or Mrs. Day Dis
play Any Emotion When
Verdict of Jury Is Read.
1au rh. AsaocIatsd Pressl

(bv Tho Associated HreSs)
ovr,AHOMA CITY, April S.-Hold- |
,,g that Jean P Day, prominent at
torrsv and oil man was justified in the |
1 l-n,ng Of Lieutenant Colonel Paul |
ward Reck at the Day home early !
,rpssday. a. coroners jury returned a
verdict here tonight recommending |
that no charges be preferred against
Day.
ON the witness stand in a packed
court room here tonight, Jean p. Day
and his wife told, with emotion Of the
slaying OF Lieutenant Colonel Beck.
In a broken voice, but with gleam
of discrimination in his eye, Day said
he killed the army aviator accidentally
when he sought to drive Beck from
his home after finding him attempting
10 attack Mrs. Day early Tuesday.
Beck threw his arms around me-
crying girl. girl, you swept me OH my
feet and asked me to come to his
room that night" Mrs. Day testified.
Il 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"
The crowded court room was silent
as Il heard the verdict read. Mr.. and
Mrs. Day displayed no emotion, and
after Il had been read, they arose. Mr..
Day shook hands with Coroner Nc
williams and the party walked slowly
from the room without a word between
them.
The text of the verdict follows;
we, the coronerSs jury, duly sworn
and ennpannelled to inquire into the
cause Of the death Of Paul Ward Beck,
after hearing evidence introduced be-
fore 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 submitted to us con-
cluds 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 recommend and advise
that no charges be filed or prosecution
instituted against Jean P. Day"
The verdict was signed by all six OF
the Jurors.
Il got there in time to protect her,
and I did" declared Day.
He jumped back and put his hand
back as if to fight" Day said, "and
struck him with all my might" Day
said he did not know whether his fin
ger was on the trigger Of his revolver.
He testified the weapon discharged
accidentally.
"one time caught the gun and put
1t to my head, but I didn't shoot. I
though. Of my wife and child" said
Day. relating how he surprised Beck,
entering the house and went to an up
stairs room where he obtained the re-
volvsr.
I did not intend to kill him. That
is the truth"
Leaning over and pointing his finger
at County Attorney Hughes, Day said
in pleasing voice.
I want to say to you boys you can
prosecute me to the limit, but don't,
oont make such statements as you
nave to the newspapers reflecting on
'ne purest, sweetest woman in the
world"
The county attorney relied that he
had tried to be fair, but that It was
MS position as the representative of
,ae state to bring out every angle Of
the case.
You don't know what you are say
nlg' couldn't do that" Mrs. Day tes-
'u'sO she replied to Beck. She said
sas did not hear her husband enter
volver.
don't know whether beat his
ace said said, declaring she used
OU'n hands to fight off Beck's lett arm.
mrs Day testified she first saw her
'"l', husband as he descended the stairs
WIN a revolver n one hand.
NY God, daddy, don't do that" she
Said she cried.
seek jumped up from the divan,
aasaaWhile, Nv and had retreated to an
''uer room, she said.
me next thing she said, she saw the
wy OF Beck lying on the floor.
l oio not see the shot fired. did
fled. 'o
looked down and saw his lips
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