The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-09-24
YOUTH CHARGED WITH
MURDER IS BEING TRIED
Herman Bittinger Went on Trial
Before Jury Yesterday AS Al
legged Slayer of George Wertz
PREACHER is FOREMAN

Nineteen-year old Herman
Bittinger, son of Joseph Bittin-
ger, Bear Hill farmer, went on
trial for his life yesterday after
noon before a jury in the Circuit
Court in Oakland as the alleged
slayer of George Wertz, bache-
lor roadhouse proprietor, whom,
it is alleged Bittinger shot in the
back of the head and robbed of
sum of money, approximately
$45, on the night of September
18th at the roadhouse along the Ma
tional Highway, mile and one-half
west of Keyser's Ridge. Bittinger was
apprehended by State officers Satur-
day following the shooting and an al
legged confession made by him was to
the effect that he had shot Wertz in
the back of his head as he turned
away from him to clean lamp used
to illuminate the building. Rev. w.
E. Waybright, Red House pastor, is
foreman of the jury which is compos-
ed of six of the regular jurymen and
six talismen who were summoned by
Sheriff Haenftling yesterday after
noon when it was seen that the jurors
regularly summoned for duty would
be exhausted before jury to try the
alleged killer could be secured.
The State is represented in the trial
Of the case by States Attorney w.
w. Dawson and Mr.. E. R. Jones, while
the traverser is represented by Attor-
neys w. R. Offutt and Neil ]. Fraley,
appointed by the Court to defend the
prisoner.
At the converting of court this
morning with Chief Judge D. Lindley
Sloan on the bench the court room
was filled to capacity. The prisoner
was brought in by Sheriff Haenftling.
Of medium build, dressed in rough
pair of trousers and wearing a blue
shirt open at the neck and no other
outer garments, he smiled at his coun-
sci and was apparently unconcerned.
Testimony in the case was COM
pleted at 11:30 this morning and when
the noon recess was called argument
of the case was being presented by
the State, the defense attorney, Mr..
Fraley, having concluded his argu-
ment. The jury will probably get the
case early in the afternoon and a
speedy verdict is anticipated.
Criminal Cases Disposed of by Court
Monday morning the criminal dock
ct was called at the opening of court
and cases appearing upon it have been
disposed of as follows, many of the
traversers entering pleas of guilty:
Frances Helbig, indicted at the June
term on a charge of sale and possess
sion of intoxicants, entered a plea Of
guilty. Sentence by the Court has
not been pronounced.
Ottie Tasker, sale of liquor; plea
of guilty confessed. Fined $10O and
costs.
Harry Mosser, sale and possession
of liquor; tried before the Court; YER
dict guilty. Fined $3.50 and costs or
a term in the House of Correction if
fine and costs are not paid.
Charles Madigan, Deer Park; sale
of intoxicants; second offense; jury
trial; verdict guilty. Sentence not
yet pronounced.
Eugene Carney, sale of liquor; plea
of guilty confessed. Fined 500 and
costs. 49,.
Samuel w. Grove, bastardy; tried
before the Court; verdict guilty. The
Court required the traverser to enter
into bond for the maintenance Of the
child.
Veronica Wilson, sale of intoxi-
cants; submitted to Court upon plea
of guilty; $500 and costs with sem
tence suspended upon condition of fu-
ture acts and behavior.
Cecil Andrew Gender, carrying con-
cealed weapons; guilty; sentenced to
serve one year in the House of Correc-
ton. Execution of sentence suspended
and traverser paroled for three years
upon condition that he be of good be-
havior and refrain from the use of in
toxicating liquor and make his ap-
pearance before the Court when called
at any time during the period of three
years.
Emory Devers, manufacture and
possession of liquor; tried before the
Court; verdict guilty. Sentenced to
pay 500 and costs.
Harry Garlitz, bastardy; tried be-
fore Court; guilty. Required to fur
nish bond for support of child.
John B. King, manufacture and pos
session of liquor; plea of guilty con-
(pleaSe tIIrn tn paoa Eiuhtl