Crime: A Savage Stalks at Midnight

"We, the jury, recommend the death penalty," said the foreman— and the New York City courtroom echoed with audience applause. Judge J. Irwin Shapiro, an ordinarily soft-spoken veteran of more than 20 years of criminal law, pounded his desk for order, then exploded in his own outburst against the defendant. "I don't believe in capital punishment," he cried, "but I must say I feel this may be improper when I see this monster. I wouldn't hesitate to pull the switch myself!"

Before Shapiro stood a slim, impassive Negro named Winston Moseley, 29. In the course of confessions to police and...

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