His father, 11 jurors voted, was a criminal who drank excessively.
That count was one of two on which the jurors voted not guilty.
However, if at least one juror voted "not guilty" then they would continue deliberating.
The court said such instructions could coerce jurors to vote for execution.
The remaining juror voted for conviction almost immediately after hearing the judge's instructions.
Even if prosecutors persuade jurors to vote for capital punishment, many years of uncertainty follow.
The jurors deliberated among themselves on the completed report and then voted.
Four and a half hours later, all but one juror voted to convict.
Several judges said it was not clear that such information would compel jurors to vote for death.
Three jurors voted against Beecher, but nine thought him innocent.