State v. McGee

Walter H. McGee was found guilty of kidnaping Mary McElroy for ransom. The verdict of the jury assessed his punishment at death. He appeals from the judgment thereon.

The members of the McElroy household consisted of Judge Henry F. McElroy, his daughter Mary, his son Henry F., Jr., and the housekeeper Heda Christensen. They resided at the family home in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. On May 27, 1933, about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the daughter and housekeeper were alone at the home, the daughter bathing in a bathroom on the second floor of the residence. The front door was open…