The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-03-27
Tense Scene in Courtroom as Judge E. B. Be
den Reads Findings of Jury Which
Free Fred Beckman.
GIRL SCREAMS THREAT OF REVENC
Gertrude Brick Vows to Kill Defendant as She Leav
Courtroom - Father Says Nothing
Beckman Not Present

Fred Beckman was found not guilty
of being the father Of his former
nurse girls baby, when the jury sud-
denly agreed at $3.50 o'clock yesterday
afternoon, just as the trial gave prom
Use of dragging slowly into another
night.
One of the most dramatic scenes
ever witnessed in circuit court instant
ly followed the reading of the verdict.
Gertrude Brick, the girl who accused
Beckman of criminal assault, col
lapsed, then became hysterical and
threatened to kill him as she was led
from the courtroom by her trembling
father. Tears streamed down the old
mans face and sobs racked him as he
tried to sooth his daughter.
Beckman was not present when the
verdict was read.
Just "a hours to a minute after the
jury had begun it's deliberations it
filed back into the jury box and Will
liam F. Howard, foreman, informed
Judge E. B. Belden that it was i'm
possible to agree.
Judge Sends Them Back.
Judge Belden turned to the jurors.
He said: Gentlemen of jury, through
your foreman you have informed me
that it is impossible for you to agree
upon verdict. Now this jury is as
intelligent as any jury and can as we'll
determine this case as any other jury.
While no juryman should sacrifice his
honest opinion for the sake of arriv-
ing at a verdict, yet there should be
a comparison IF views in an honest
rive at a conclusion. | appreciate the
service you are rendering in this case
and the hardships which you are un-
dergoing.
81 want to say that small maj or
ity should not stand on its first opin-
ion, but should consider all the evil
dence in the case and reach verdict
if possible.
''In view of this, must ask you to
further deliberate, and I can not dis
charge you at this time"
The Judge finished speaking and the
jury arose and marched back to the
jury room. The Knoblach jury again
returned and the district attorney re-
sumed his closing argument in this
case. Sheriff Fred Pabst, who had re-
lieved Undersheriff Joseph Knipfer as
jury guard, settled more deeply into
his chair and prepared to stay far into
the night. The girl and her father,
sitting down in the courtroom, where
they had been waiting patiently all
day, leaned YEARLY back in their
seats. All indications pointed to .
"hung" jury.
Jury Reaches Agreement.
The end came suddenly. Exactly
40 minutes later three sharp raps
sounded from the jury room door.
They were loud and positive raps, and
instantly there fell over the courtroom
an absolute hush The Knobloch Jury
filed out again. Then the door of the
jury room opened and the IL men
walked out. 1t could be seen from
their appearance that it was over, for
the men who had not slept for nearly
two days walked more erect and their
steps were quicker.
AS the first man appeared in the
doorway nervous sob burst from
Gertrude. She leaned over, pillowed
her head on her fathers arm and con-
tinued to weep quietly while the jury
took seats.
Gentlemen of the jury have you
arrived at verdict ?" Mrs. Carl Stav-
er, deputy clerk Of courts, asked.
"We have" Foreman Howard of the
jury, announced.
Mrs. Staver then took the folded
verdict and handed it to Judge Belden.
The judge opened the paper and look
ed at it. For half a minute there was
dead silence, broken only by the
muffled sobs of the girl.