Royal Draws 22-Year Term For Murder

Royal Draws 22-Year Term For Murder

Milan Youth Protests Innocense In Slaying Of Pauline Campbell

David Lee Royal, 18-year-old Milan youth, was sentenced this afternoon in circuit court to serve from 22 years to life in southern Michigan Prison for the slaying of Nurse Pauline A. Campbell.

Royal denied his guilt to the last moment. Before sentence was imposed by circuit Judge James R. Breakey, jr., he told the court, “I am innocent. I had no standing agreement with Morey.” (William R. Morey, who, with Jacob M. Pell, was convicted of first degree murder in the nurse-slaying).
Royal's attorney, Albert J. Rapp, immediately asked for a stay in sentencing, but the motion was denied by Judge Breakey. Rapp indicated he will file a motion for a new trial.

Verdict Called ‘Proper’

Judge Breakey said that "the court considers the jury’s verdict was proper. The confession had all the earmarks of a voluntary one." Judge Breakey made no recommendation in connection with the sentence.

Royal was convicted by a circuit court jury Nov. 13.

His two companions in the Sept, 16 mallet-slaying, Morey and Pell, both 18-year-old Ypsilanti youths, were given mandatory-life imprisonment in a plot to escape from the County Jail.

The plan was foiled, however, when other prisoners informed on them. Royal, who lives at 410 Wabash St., Milan, apparently was not involved in the plot.

Royal was to have received his sentence Dec. 4. Three delays ensured to permit Judge Breakey to complete his pre-sentence investigation.

He and his two companions were accused of stalking the 34-year-old St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital nurse as she was returning to her rooming house at 1424 Washington Hgts.