Description
"Murder in First Degree - Charles Grant Must Pay the Death Penalty - Killed His Wife at Parkville Last October" - Charles Grant, colored, who on October 21, 1898, brutally murdered his wife at Parkville will have to pay the penalty of his crime on the gallows unless the supreme court intervenes, which is not believed probable. The testimony deduced in the case was such that the jury could hardly have rendered a verdict other than murder in the first degree, and that, notwithstanding the Court’s instructions were most liberal and offered the jury every chance possible to evade the responsibility of such a verdict. Grant’s crime, even by his own people, is regarded of the most vicious character, made the more brutal because his victim was a woman and was stricken down while, with arms encircling his neck, she pleaded for her life. On the night of October 21, 1897, Grant left Kansas City, where he was employed to run an elevator in the Keith & Perry building, and came to Parkville, where his wife, who had left him, was residing with her parents. He found her, according to his testimony, entertaining another man. His defense was that his appearance on the scene resulted in an attack from his wife, assisted by several members of her family, and in order to defend himself he was compelled to stab his wife, who bad secured her arms around him and prevented him from protecting himself from his other assailants. The trial came up last Friday before Judge Herndon. Major Wood of Kansas City and Guy Park of Platte City, represented the defense and Prosecuting Attorney Wilson looked after the interests of the state. The case was given to the jury Saturday evening. After deliberating four hours a verdict of murder in the first degree was returned. Sentence has not been passed. A motion for a new trial will be prepared. If overruled an appeal to the supreme court will be made.Date(s) of Creation
8/18/1898
