Iowa
Old Press
Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Jackson co. Iowa
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withdrawn.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withdrawn and that the testimony should stand.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.
[Transcribed by K.W., October 2011]