Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1949-07-29
PIETSCHMAN IS
FOUND GUILTY
IN zELLER CASE
Attorney Drops New Trial
Plea As Sandusky Youth
Awaits Sentence

Atty. James E. Flynn, counsel
for Pietschman, Wednesday af-
ternoOn filed application with
Judge Edmond HI. SavOrd for
withdrawal of his motion for
new trial. Judge SavOrd was to
have heard the new trial appli-
cation at $3.50 Wednesday after
noon. Judge Sav0rd is expect
ed to pronounce sentence within
the next few days.
Richard L. Pietschman, 19-year-
old Sanduskian who confessed he
killed Willard Zeller, 80, Dan
bury Township, was found guilty
of first degree manslaughter in
Erie county's common pleas court
late Friday, after the jury had de-
liberated over four hours.
Although Pietschman had been
indicted on q charge of second de-
gree murder, the jury changed
the verdict to guilty of manslaugh-
ter in the first degree after hav-
ing been instructed by presiding
Judge E. H. Savord that they
could return one of three verdicts
as charged in the indictment, first
degree manslaughter or acquittal.
Defense Attorney James F.
Flynn Saturday forenoon filed a
motion for new trial and listed
as grounds: (1) verdict not sus-
tanned by evidence; (2) verdict is
contrary to law; and (3) errors of
law occurred at trial.
Under the sentence Of first de-
gree manslaughter, Pietschman
probably would be committed to
the Ohio State Reformatory at
Mansfield for an indeterminate
period of time, from l to 20 years.
Length of sentence is determined
by the prison board, and condi-
toned by conduct or later applica-
tion for parole.
Pronouncement of sentence by
Judge Savord was deferred pend
ing his sustaining or over-ruling
the motion for a new trial.
Zeller was killed May II and his
body was found the following
morning in his car along the San
dusky waterfront. Pietschman
claimed the gun was fired acci-
dentally while he was trying to
frighten Zeller, whom he claimed
was trying to force him into per-
verted sexual act. Pietschman was
arrested several days later when
ownership of a gun was traced to
him and witnesses reported hav-
ing seen the two men together.
The trial was underway from
Tuesday through Friday. High
light of the trial for the prosecu-
ton Thursday was the re-playing
of wire recording spool owned
by Russ Shinevar, of the News
staff, by which the entire state
ment made by Pietschman con-
cerning the fatal shooting and his
admission of having shot Zeller,
was offered to the court and jury
In the statement. it was re-
peated!y emphasized that Pietsch-
man made the confession without
duress, force, intimidation or mis-
representation. Detective Sgt. Rob-
ert Traver brought Pietschman to
this city after he was apprehend-
ed and Chief of Police Jack Shef-
fer assisted Traver in questioning
Pietschman.
Operation of the Port Clinton
recording apparatus was granted
the Sandusky officers because San
dusky's department is not equip
ped with wire recording facilities
Shinevar is a member of the Port
Clinton Special Police.
Deputy Sheriff William Cutler
and Police Chief Jack Shelter
were among the witnesses called
during the trial. Prosecutor Will
liam E. Didelius was in charge OF
the prosecution.