The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-09-28
6 | \ { n Z D
YEARS To
By JAMES L. KILGALLEN

w III Il hAl1>C, ~. e,
Sept. % (I.N.S.) .-Mighty
glad indeed that he escaped
the electric chair, Earl F. Pea
cox, 22-year-old radio tech
nician and dance hall "sheik !"
who strangled his bride, Dor
othy, on their first wedding
anniversary, today made prep
arations to leave Monday
for Sing Sing prison at Ossin-
ming, where he must serve a
sentence of from 90 years to
Imprisonment for life.
Peacox was found guilty of MUIR
der in the second degree by a
''blue ribbon" jury of married men
late last night after five hours and
Fl minutes of actual elaboration.
Admitted killing
He had admitted frankly enough
that he had floored his estranged
wife with the butt-end of his pistol
on the night of April 81. last, ana
choked her to death, but he had
pleaded extenuating circumstances.
This correspondent stopped Peacock
as he entered from the courtroom
shackled to a deputy sheriff.
What do you think OF the Ver-
dict?" he was asked.
The young fellow, pretty caSy
chap indeed, replied:
time
Courtroom Crowded
The jury filed into the crowded.
brilliantly Illuminated courtroom.
every seat was taken and many
stood in the aisles. A throng of
specators was massed at the doors.
A few persons sat on window Lodges.
In the corridors, outside. Dig
crowd milled around, and, out in the
street, hundreds stood waiting for
the verdict.
Edward C. Rosmassler, the fore
man, 56-year-old silk manufacturer
of Scarsdale, arose when the clerk
of court asked the jury if they had
reached verdict.
1--WE have" said Rosmassler.
death-like silence prevailed.
Guilty of murder in the second de-
greet" said Rosmassler, a bald.
headed, sharpfaced. middIe-aGed
man. his voice resounding through
the silent court room.
Peacox UnmOved
Peacock. who had not been asked to
stand, sat unmoved in his chair. HIS
pasty complexion seemed paler than
ever. his heavy black eyebrows ac-
centuating his paleness beneath the
brights lights of the court room. His
mouth frightened bit but otherwise
he gave no outward evidence he was
affected.
Justice Arthur s. Tompkins, fine
looking. gray-haired man of about
so. stood up and Immediately pro-
nounced sentence. Instantly there
was a burst of handclapping and
cries of good" in which the voices
of women and girls predominated.
The Judge pounded for order and
looked annoyed. Two women we're
promptly elected from the court room
by bailiffs.
Took Four Ballots
Members of the jury revealed they
took four ballots. The first ballot was
six for murder in the first degree,
three for second degree and three
for mansIaughter. The second ballot
was four for first degree, six for
second degree and two for man.
slaughter. The third ballot was three
for first degree. eight for second and
one for manslaughter. The fourth
was unanimous for murder in the
second degree-a compromise
verdict.
There will be no appeal from the
verdict. Sidney S. Syme, chief counsel
for the defense, told international
News Service he was satisfied In
fact. he regarded the verdict as a
VICTORY" for the defense. His client
had escaped the chair.
After Peacox had been led back
to his cell, District Attorney Frank
H. Coyne, who prosecuted the case,
said he, too, was satisfied" with
the verdict,