Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-23
SHEPARD CONVICTED
OF NUMBERING WIFE
Life Sentence Mandatory on
Medical Corps Major.
Appeal Planned.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
KANSAS CITY, Kans., December 23
Under the shadow of life term q!
. wife slayer, Mai. Charles A. Shepard
prepared to return today to Denver anc
the solace of his Army associates.
Mai. Shepard, accused of fatally poi.
soning his second wife to pursue an i'm.
proper love affair, was convicted yes.
terday by a Federal Court jury on 8
charge Of f1rst-degree murder. Under
the verdict, without capital punish.
ment," life sentence is mandatory. His
bond Of $4,000 was continued pending
action on a motion for a new trial.
Miss Grace Brandon, ~, former
sweetheart of the 59-year-old Medical
Corps pulmonary specialist, expressed
regret in San Antonio, Tex, at his con-
viction.
Girl to Enjoy Life.
1T feel sorry for him." said Miss
Brandon, returning from Kansas Clty
to a motor car the major gave her and
her duties in the Air Corps Supply
Once at Brooks Field, "as would
for any one else in the same circum-
stances. But don't know of anything
can do for him now"
'I felt certain" she added, "as every
one else seemed to, that he would be
acquitted. It is too bad. intend to
return to my old circle, bridge parties,
theaters and other social affairs OF
which 1 am fond"
Miss Brandon said she still was in
doubt as to Maj Shepard's guilt, but
had said nothing as witness to hurt
him
Mai. Shepard was suspended from the
staff of Fitzsinmons General Hospital
IN Denver, upon his arrest March II,
1880, for the death Of his wife, Mrs.
xenana Shepard, at Fort Riley, kans.r
June is, 1928.
Plans Made for Appeal.
He said he expected to return to the
hospital under $4,000 bond pending
arraignment before Judge Richard j.
hopkins for sentence in Topeka, Kans.,
February Q, when his attorneys will
seek a new trial. Of1cers and patients
of the hospital sent him sympathetic
messages.
The verdict was assailed by G. L.
Kagey of defense counsel as a COM
promise"
IF Maj. Shepard actually murdered
his wife" Kagey said, "he should be
hanged for it,
Mai Shepard, who wept silently as
the jury's decision was read, nodded as
sent.
Offers Of Help Received.
sI am absolutely innocent" the major
aaid, land the case will eventually be
thrown out Of court"
Harry S. Glass, chief Of the defense
stat, said a dozen offers OF financial
assistance had been presented MAJ.
ghepard for a new trial or appeal, in
Guiding $500 from one man previously
unknown to both Maj. Shepard ana his
Judge Glass said of go or 40" possible
grounds for appeal, the testimony OF q
nurse that Mrs. Shepard told her MAI.
shepard has poisoned me-" would be
attacked in seeking q new trial.
The nurse, Claire Brown OF TopeKa,
testified over defense objections. the
court ruling the words admissible as
death bed statement.
Friendship Held PIatOnic.
the Jury returned its verdict after
0E1ree days Of elaboration.
If convicted on circumstantial EVIL
dence, In which the Government as
serted Mai. Shepard was engaged sec.
reilly to Miss Brandon in the Fan OF
1928 while he was assigned from Fort
Riley to Brooksfield, Tex. as student
night surgeon. Expert witnesses tesu-
fIed they found poison In Mrs. Snep.
ards viscera following an autopsy helo
over Maj. Shepard's protest.
The defense asserted relations OF MISS
Brandon and Mai. Shepard were pla-
tonic until after Mrs. Shepards death,
and Gifts he sent were merely q tribute
10 her as q friend. It painted Mrs.
Eheuard, a former nurse, as q liquor
addict who had limited OF suicide.