(4 of 4)
The prosecution's lead-off man, Assistant District Attorney William Alexander, insisted that Ruby must die in the electric chair. "Don't tell me it takes guts to shoot a man who is manacled," cried Alexander. "This is a wanton killing. Ruby felt he could kill Oswald and be a hero, make money and become famous." At 12:50 a.m., D.A. Wade wearily arose and, his voice rough with fatigue, said: "You have a cold-blooded killing that could not be more malicious. If you turn this man loose, you'd set civilization back a century. You'd set civilization back to barbarism. You'd set civilization back to the lynch laws." Wade spoke only 15 minutes, wound up saying: "I ask you to show Jack Ruby the same mercy, compassion, and sympathy that he Showed Lee Harvey Oswald in the police department."
Wade sat down. The trial was over and the jurors retired to their hotel rooms. They began their deliberations the next morning and, after two hours and 19 minutes, returned their verdict. After Judge Brown read it, he quickly shot a question to the grim-faced jurors: "Is this unanimous? So say you all? Please hold up your right hands." Twelve hands went up instantly.