The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-10-01
HERMAN BITTINCER WILL
SERVE LIFE TERM In PRISON
Killer of John Wertz Convicted
of Murder In First Degree and
Is Sentenced By The Court
END OF SESSION MONDAY

With the finding of a verdict
of guilty of murder in the first
degree but without capital pun
ishment, rendered last Friday
morning by the jury in the case
of Herman Bittinger, of Bear
Hill, indicted and tried at the
September Term of the Circuit
Court for Garrett county for the MUIR
der of John Wertz, aged roadhouse
keeper near Keyser's Ridge on the
night of September 18th, closed the
story of one of the most brutal crimes
ever committed in the county.
The case was given to the jury last
Thursday morning and it was not I'M
til Friday near the noon hour that an
agreement could be reached by that
body. 1t is understood that the jury
deliberated between verdict of guilty
of first degree murder without recon-
mendation and the verdict it finally
rendered, the agreement being arrived
at on Friday morning after a night
spent at the Manhattan Hotel where
it was quartered.
Immediately after the verdict Of
the jury had been rendered Judge
Sloan, after asking the prisoner the
usual question if he had anything to
say, sentenced him to serve the ball
ance of his natural life in the Mary
land Penitentiary.
Bittinger took the sentence with
out evincing any feeling or show Of
nervousness and was heard to remark
after being returned to Jail that he
was glad "the Court did not give him
ninety-nine years."
Other Criminal Cases Determined
Other cases determined by the
Court since Thursday were the follow
ing:
Frances Helbig, who had entered a
plea of guilty to the sale of intoxi-
cants, was sentenced to pay fine of
$1OO and costs or serve six months in
the House of Correction.
Charles Maddigan, of Deer Park,
found guilty by jury on Wednesday
following his indictment and trial on
the charge of selling intoxicants, was
fined $500 and costs and sentenced to
serve one year in the House of Cor
rection, and if the fine remains unpaid
at the end of twelve months he is then
to undergo further confinement of one
year in the House of Correction. This
is Maddigan's second offense and con-
vicition for violating the liquor laws
of the county.
Richard Keffer, tried before the
court on a charge of bastardy, was
found guilty and required to enter
into a bond for the support of the
child or serve one year in the House
of Correction.
Daily Sines, of Oakland, bastardy;
jury trial; verdict guilty; bond re-
quired as in Refers case or a year
in the House of Correction.
Gerald Friend, bastardy; jury trial;
guilty; bond required as above or a
year in the House of Correction.
William H. Lower, sale of intoxi-
cants; plea of guilty confessed; $3.50
fine and costs.
John B. King, manufacture of in
toxicants; plea of guilty confessed;
5000 fine and costs or eight months in
the House of Correction. .....
Ivan M. Yoder, bastardy; tried in
chambers before the Court; verdict
guilty; bond required for support of
child or one year in the Houseof Cor
rection.
Bernard Moon, bastardy; tried be-
fore the Court; guilty. Bond required
for support of child or one year in
the House of Correction.
Myrtle Kave, sale of intoxicants;
guilty. Sentence suspended for three
years.
Bessie Shaffer, sale of intoxicants;
plea of guilty. Sentence suspended
for three years.
Jasper F. Upole, manufacture and
possession of intoxicants; tried before
jury; verdict guilty. Fined 500 and
costs or six months in the House Of
Correction.
William Lane, larceny of an auto,
mobile; tried before the Court; verdict
not guilty.
The term closed Monday afternoon,
Judge A. A. Doub presiding in the
absence of Judge Sloan.