Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1916 — IS GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER [ARTICLE]

IS GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER

Jury Convicts Farmer for Hurling Bucket of Corn at Auto. Hartford City, November 19. Albert Thomas, a farmer near here, was found guilty of manslaughter for the killing of 8-year-old Epiily Stout of Upland in a verdict returned late last night by a jury in the circuit court. The jury in effect rejected Thomas’ plea that it was an accident when he hurled a bucket at the girl as she was riding in an automobile wdiich almost ran Thomas down on a road near his home. The penalty is two to fourteen years in prison. The child was killed May 28 while riding with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Trent Stout. Thomas was walking along the road, carrying a bucket of corn. As he stepped from the path of the automobile the farmer whirled the bucket about his head and let it fly at the occupants of the car. The bucket struck the little girl.

who was sitting on her mother’s lap, and broke her neck, killing her instantly. In a frenzy Dr. Stout attempted to kill Thomas, but was restrained. Feeling against the farmer was so high that he was closely guarded and when a large crowd surrounded the county jail here the prisoner was slipped into an automobile and taken to Muncie for safe keeping. Thomas protested that the killing was accidental. He asserted that he raised the bucket to maintain his balance-as he scrambled from the path of the automobile and that it flew from his hand unintentionally. ,He has a wife and several children.