United States v. Edwards

Opinion of the Court

GEORGE W. LatimER, Judge:

This case reaches us by mandatory appeal under the provisions of Article 67 (&) (1) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 50 USC § 654, because the death penalty was imposed by the court-martial and affirmed by reviewing authorities. The facts portray a shocking crime but, in view of the nature and extent of the review, it is necessary that we relate them generally. On or about March 1, 1953, at 9:30 pm, Maria Stowasser, the victim, was seen in the company of one Private Jessie D. Bell in a gasthouse, commonly called “Sophie’s Place” in…