Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1900 — JAMES HOWARD FOUND GUILTY [ARTICLE]

JAMES HOWARD FOUND GUILTY

Convicted of Murdering Goebel anil Penalty Fixed at Death. At Frankfort, K.v., Janies Howard was found guilty of the murder of Goebel and his punishment fixed at death. The court room was crowded with spectators as Foreman Crutcher passed the written verdict up to the clerk. Deputy Clerk Elliott read the verdict, which found the defendant guilty and fixed his punishment at death. Howard occupied a seat by his attorney, lie did not display the least agitation and was apparently no more concerned than any other person in the court room. The verdict was a surprise, ns the general belief was that the jury was divided on the question of guilt or innocence of the defendant; but it turns out that .the difficulty in reaching n verdict was over the degree of punishment, some of Cojurors favoring life imprisonment, while others stood out for the death penalty and finally won their associates over. The jury which tried the case was divided politically, ulne Democrats, one Republican and two anti-Goebel Democrats.