he could not remember what had happened. His attorneys pleaded that
his mind was so clouded by alcohol that he was actually insane at the
time of the murders and now motive was ever offered for the slayings.
Rio was hanged at the Washington State Prison on Dec, 10, 1951,
COLFAX GAZETTE«jCOMMONER , Colfax, Wash, i 15-503 323 503 3 =30=50;
lim6-50 3 and 6=l-513 6-21-51.
he could not remember what had happened. His attorneys pleaded that
his mind was so clouded by alcohol that he was actually insane at the
time of the murders and now motive was ever offered for the slayings.
Rio was hanged at the Washington State Prison on Dec. 10, 1951.
COLFAX GAZETTE-COMMONER, Colfax, “ash., 1-5-5053 3=23-503 3-30-50;
h-6-50 3 and 6=l-513 6-21-51.
he could not remember what had happened. Hi:
pened, His attorney:
Jed by alcohol that he was actually
time of ie murders and now notive was ever
Rio was hat at the
r offered for the slayings.
e Washington State Prison on
COLFAX GAZETTE-COPON
ER, Colfax, ™ Se 1-5
23
=50 Aa 6-Us-515 6-215)
ee,
RIO, Grant i,
Rio, @ 27-year-old white Army Air Corps veteran who had served in the
Asiatic theater of operations during World War IL, was a native of
Montana hauhine he had served a term in the 5tate S teneiars during
his youth, After his release from the servickh, he became a farm
laborer in tachtngton State and developed a serious alcoholism prob-
lem. For a time, he worked as a laborer on the Hiparia, Wash., farm
operated by 20-year-old James eckner, leaving there to move to Se-
attle. On the evening of Dec, 30, 1950, he arrived at the Beckner
ranch by taxi from Seattle and Mr, Beckner paid the driver the $7
fare by check, Rio was intoxicated at the time and went to an up-
stairs bedroom and went to sleep. arly on the morning of Dec, 31,
he shot and killed Joseph Roberge, the 29-year-old farmhand who was
sharing the same room and then went downstairs to the room where
Beckner and his pregnant wife were sleeping, He told Mfs, 3eckner
that he would not harm them if she would leaye the room. After she
had stepped outside, he shot and killed Beckner who was sitt ing on
the edge of the bed. Mrs, Beckner ran two-and-one-half miles to a
neighbor for help and Rio stole the “eckner truck and left the ranch.
He turned himsél1f in to the police four hours later, claiming that
RIO, Grant E,
Rio, a 27-year-old white Army Air Corps veteran who had served in the
Asiatic theater of operations during World War IL, was a native of
Montana where he had served a term in the State Ref ormatory during
his youth. After his relgase from the servick, he became a farm
laborer in Washington State and developed a serious alcoholism prob-
lem. For a time, he worked as a laborer on the Hiparia, Wash., farm
operated by 20-year-old James Beckner y leaving there to move to Se-
attle. On the evening of Dec, 30, 1950, he arrived at the Beckner
ranch by taxi from Seattle and Mr. Beckner paid the driver the $7
fare by check. Rio was intoxicated at the time and went to an up-
stairs bedroom and went to sleep. arly on the morning of Dec, 31,
he shot and killed Joseph Roberge, the 29-year~old farmhand who was
sharing the same room and then went downstairs to the room where
Beckner and his pregnant wife were sleeping, He told Ms. 3eckner
that he would not harm them if she would leaye the room, After she
had stepped outside, he shot and killed Deckner who was sitting on
the edge of the bed. Mrs, Beckner ran two-and~one-half miles to a
neighbor for help and Rio stole the “eckner truck and left the ranch.
He turned himsélf in to the police four hours later, claiming that
RIO, Grant 3.
Rio, a 27-year-old white Army Air Corps veteran who had served in the
Asiatic theater of operations during World War II, was a nat
Sia
his youth,
laborer in Washington State ani developed a Bee ol aioe
lem. For a time, he worked as a laborer on the Riparia, ee fam
operated by 20-year-old James Beckner, leaving there to move to Se=
attle. On the evening of Dec, 30, 1950, he arrived at the ps
ranch by taxi fron Seattle and Mr. Beckner paid the driver the $7
fare by check, Rio was intoxicated at the time and went to an up-
stairs bedroom and went to sleep. arly on the morning of Dec. 31,
he shot and killed Joseph Roberge, the 29-year-old farmhand who was
sharing the same room and then went downstairs to tho room where
Beckner and his pregnant wife were sleeping, He told M's, Seckner
that he would not harm them if she would leage the room.
had stepped outside, he shot and killed Deckner who was sittin
the edge of the bed. Mrs. Zeckner ran two-and-one-half miles to a
neighbor for help and Rio stole the ®eckner truck and left the ranch,
He turned himsslf in to the police four hours later, claiming tha’
Bets ter of perio Grieg gg ee ns antive of
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