Teeple Guilty of Manslaughter

TEEPLE, ELY, PICKETT

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/30/2011 at 12:42:34

Maquoketa Excelsior, April 9, 1914

Clayton Teeple found guilty of manslaughter for shooting Gus Pickett

The case of Clayton Teeple, which occupied the undivided attention of the court for close to a week, came to a close Saturday evening when the jurors decided that Teeple was guilty of manslaughter. The trial attracted considerable attention and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there was scarcely standing room to be found in the spacious court room. There were many women in the audience.
Friday, George Hale, of Baldwin, presented to the court the big rock which Pickett sent through the window of the opera house during the performance of Teeple and his troupe. This started a heated argument which lasted for hours and finally resulted in a lawyer’s battle when County Attorney Ely made a motion to strike from the evidence all testimony relating to the attack on the opera house during the presentation of the show, and over objections of the counsel for the defense the questions put to witnesses placed by the state to rebut testimony given by witnesses for the defense. Ely contended that inasmuch as the defense was unable to prove that Pickett played a part in this annoyance that the testimony regarding the disturbance should be withdrawn. Warraner argued that it was too strong a point to be withdrawn and that the testimony should stand. Mr. Warraner said: “We claim that defendant shot in self defense because he was struck as he was leaving the hall and on that alone we base our plea, but in order that it may be shown that the defendant might have reasonably expected he would have trouble as he left the hall, the evidence of the disturbance during the show must be allowed to stand.”
Teeple was the last witness on the stand and apparently was the coolest witness during the entire trial. For an hour he was subjected to a severe cross examination, but he never once made a conflicting statement. The final pleas were heard and the jury entered the jury room for deliberation.
Taking into consideration the testimony of all the witnesses to the effect that Teeple was struck down as soon as he entered the dance hall and that the attack was uninvited, they agreed that he should not be convicted of murder. However they didn’t deem it necessary for him to shoot Pickett and contended that he used more force than was necessary in warding off an attack or getting away from his assailant and unanimously agreed that he was guilty of manslaughter.
Judge Theophluis returned to his home in Davenport Saturday afternoon. The verdict will be received by Judge A. J. House today or tomorrow. In all probability Teeple will be given an indeterminate sentence of not to exceed eight years.