March 11, 1961.

Death Penalty Handed Morgan By Cuban Jury

Defense Discloses Plan To Appeal Treason Conviction

HAVANA, March 11 (AP)—A military tribunal last night convicted Maj. William A. Morgan of betraying the Castro regime and sentenced the American adventurer to be shot.

Defense attorneys said they would appeal the verdict.

Convicted with Major Morgan, a former U.S. paratrooper, was Cuban Maj. Jesus Carreras, former chief of staff in the Castro army.

The 31-year-old major, who forsook his American citizenship to fight alongside Fidel Castro in the mountains, had pleaded his innocence and faith in the revolution to the last.

The chunky American—once cheered as a national hero by the Cubans for squelching a plot to overthrow Castro—told the military court in a final plea:

“I stand here innocent, and I guarantee this court that if I am found guilty I will walk to the execution wall with no escort, with moral strength and with a clear conscience.

“I have defended this revolution because I believe in it.”