The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-14
HeireSS Is COnUicted
of Lovers Murder;
.GiUen 2O-25 Years
Defense Counsel to Appeal
Verdict in Roadside
Quarrel Shooting.
By United Press

By United Press
FLINT, Mich, Jan. 14.-Miss
Helen Joy Morgan, V7-year-old
heiress, today was found guilty of
murder in the second degree. She
was charged with killing Leslie Cas-.
teel, her garage mechanic sweet
heart, last April.
Judge James S. Parker inlnedi-
ately sentenced Miss Morgan to
serve twenty to twenty-five years
in the Detroit house of correction,
recommending the shorter period.
Her attorneys said an appeal would
be taken and that a motion to OBJ
tain her release on bond pending
outcome of the appeal would be
made.
The case went to the jury
Wednesday night. The jurors were
locked up at II and resumed de-
alterations at 8 this morning. A
verdict was agreed upon at $40
or after five hours deliberations.
Not in Courthouse
Miss Morgan, who has been free
on bond since shortly after she shot
Casteel at lonely cemetery tryst,
was not in the courthouse when the
jury reported agreement. She was
sent for, and as soon as she and
her elderly mother arrived, the
jurors were brought in.
Miss Morgan, whose only emotion
throughout the trial has been en-
barrassment when details of her
love life with Casteel were under
discussion from the witness stand,
received the verdict without appar-
ent shock.
She remained seated, and when
Myron F. Baily, foreman, read the
verdict, she clasped her mothers
hands. Mrs. Carrie P. Morgan, the
who is hard of hearing, did
not seem to catch or understand
the import of the sentence.
Denies Bail Plea
John H. Farley demanded poll
of the jury and then asked that
bail be arranged before sentence
was passed. This Judge Parker de-
MED.
AS he prepared to sentence Miss
Morgan, he asked if she had any,
thing to say.
"YeS, your honor, I have" she
getting to her feet.
''I think it was an unfair, I'M
just decision. I merely am the vic
time of politics, the police and the
I am as innocent of
this crime as any one in the court
room"
A crowd of men and women that
damned every corner of the room lis
tened intently. Casteels parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Casteel, and his
three sisters and one of his three
divorced wives were among the
throng.
Had Able Counsel
Judge Parker merely pointed out
she hid received a fair trial, and
had able counsel, after which he
passed sentence.
After Mrs. Morgan was told of the
verdict and sentence, she leaned
close to her daughter, reassuring
her.
Helen Morgan shot Casteel, twelve
years her senior, and thrice di-
vorced, last April after she had
driven him to a lonely spot in Glen
wood cemetery. She claimed she
fired after she had taken the re-
volver from Casteel when he drew
It and threatened her.
The state contended she had the
revolver in her possession for weeks
before the murder and that she pur-
chased cartridges for it.
Miss Morgan, convent educated,
cultured and gentle, met Casteel,
who fancied himself something of a
Lothario, when she took her ex-
pensive automobile to garage
where he was employed. From this
casual meeting grew an infatuation
which caused Miss Morgan to break
with her wealthy mother rather
than give up Casteel.