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| JURY CONVICTS SUSPECT IN BLUDGEONING KILLING Robert Sewell, 26, Negro, yesterday was found guilty of first degree murder in the bludgeon slaying of his former employer, John H. Latham. The jury of eight men and four women set punishment at life imprisonment after 4 hours deliberation. Superior Judge William A. Glen will pronounce sentence at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Sewell heard the verdict with no visible show of emotion, but a woman he identified as his wife burst into tears and nearly colapsed in the spectators' section of the court room. Sewell was convicted of murdering Latham December 20, 1945, while attempting to rob the victim in his tire shop and salvage yard. He was questioned by police at the time of the murder, but released. He was re-arrested last January after police learned Sewell had told one of his friends he had slugged Latham with a 3-foot piece of iron pipe as the victim prepared to close his shop for the night. After 3 days of questioning, he signed a confession. He tried to nullify the confession at the trial by testifying he confessed only after being beaten severely by a police officer, but Judge Glen permitted introduction of the confession as evidence, holding Sewell had little evidence of the beating beyond his own testimony. ************** HOME INDEX LATHAM INDEX PETERSON INDEX SCOTT'S INDEX LACI'S INDEX |
| LACI & CONNER MISSED BY ALL |
| ROBERT SEWELL b. Jul 8, 1920 - Alabama Sentenced to life in prison at San Quentin d. Jan 9, 1951 - San Rafael, Marin County, (San Quentin) CA |