Evening star., 1945-06-08
Medley, Facing
Chair, 10 Ask
For New Trial
First-Degree Murder
Conviction Returned
In Boyer Staying

Defense attorneys for Joseph
D. Medley, convicted late yester-
day of first-degree murder in the
killing of Mrs. Nancy Boyer early
March 6, today were expected to
continue their legal battle to
keep Medley from the electric
chair. The death sentence is
mandatory in a flrst-degree con-
viction.
The defense has several days in
which to seek a new trial. If the
new trial motion is overruled,
Medley probably will be sentenced in
about two weeks.
Defense Attorney James K.
Hughes has indicated he will appeal
the verdict if new trial is denied.
Out Less Than Three Hours.
The jury of nine men and three
women took less than three hours
to find Medley guilty of frst-degree
murder and robbery. Medley, an
escaped convict, stood with his
hands clasped behind his back and
betrayed no sign of surprise or shock
at the verdict. Although the court
room was crowded, there was no
demonstration.
Medley was taken back to District
Jail and placed in cell on a tier
occupied by two other condemned
men-Fred c. Mergner, awaiting
execution for the Staying of Mrs.
Charlotte Robinson, and Earl Nc
Farland. Marine veteran sentenced
to die for the murder of Dorothy M.
Berrum.
Jail officials explained Medley had
been lodged there rather than in his
former cell, for closer supervision"
The frst-degree verdict, according
to Jail officials, brought no change in
his demeanour.
Lasted Seven Days.
The trial took seven court days
and so witnesses were called to
testify. Much of the evidence con-
cerned the poker party at Mrs.
Boyer's Washington House apart
ment which ended with her death.
Medley was found guilty on the
first count of the indictment. murder
while perpetrating robbery. The
jury followed the judges instructions
by ignoring the second count which
was common law flrst-degree murder.
They also found Medley guilty of the
third count, which was robbery.
The indictment charged that $500
in cash, fur coat and g diamond
and emerald ring were taken from
Mrs. Boyer by the defendant.
At 5 pm. yesterday word was re-
ceived that the jury was coming out.
By sos Justice T. Alan Colds
borough was in his place and the
defendant was brought in.
Medley Clasps His Hands.
Medley was working his Jaws as II
. chewing small piece of gum He
stood with his hands clasped behind
/ his back
! The u jurors filed in from a door
at the left in front of the court
room headed by James S. Mckee,
So, 1929 Columbia road NV, an in
surance man.
They walked around Medley and
the marshals fanking him and
stood in an arc behind him.
Mr.. Mckee handed folded paper,
the indictment, to Marion E. Lewis,
clerk of the court. 1t was then $40.
Mr.. Lewis asked:
Has the jury agreed upon ver-
dict?"
Mr.. Mckee said I'VE have
Find Defendant Guilty.
Mr. Lewis asked:
What say you as to the de-
fendant. Joseph D. Medley, on the
first count?"
Mr. Mckee said, Guilty as
charged"
He made the same reply to SINH
lar question concerning the third
count robbery.
In the few minutes the only
movement noted on Medley's face
was a blinking of the eyes and a
momentary gaze at the ceiling.
Medley escaped from Michigan
State Prison in November, taking
s700 of the prisoners money given
him to buy War Bonds. He had
served eight and one-half years on
a robbery charge. Although the SEN
tence was 80 to so years, Medley
would have been eligible for parole
in 18 months. He had been made a
trusty because of his good conduct.
When he was arrested in St. Louis
on March 1S he had been linked with
the death of three women: Mrs.
Boyer, shot in her apartment after
an all-night poker game; Laura
fischer, %, a New York garment
worker, strangled in a New Orleans
hotel, and Mrs. Blanche Zimmer-
man, S8, telephone operator, found
dead in the bathtub of a Chicago
hotel. He was indicted III the Fischer
murder, but no action has been
taken in the Chicago case.