The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-31
The Verdi Case.
The Prisoner Discharged


sFhe proceedings in the-Nerrill ease closed
at Auburn yesterday. The motion Tor new
trial was granted; the Attorney General. see
ing the new evidence would result in an ac-
quittal, entered aolle proseQui; and the pris-
oner, after nearly years confinement, was
discharged. We copy the following descrip-
ten of the closing scene from the Lewiston,
Journal: 0a 5r9t FAfH 4
~ The Court came in at 8: 10, Judges Walton
and DickeTson both being present. The court
room as crowded with an eager audience to
hear the promised decision in the case STATE
as. Luther. J. Ve1TfN. A, large humber OF Ia
dies were in attendance, the greatest anxiety
oeiug shown to hear the decision.
The Court stated that as the Attorney zen q
eral could not be present, he desired the Gouh,
ty Attorney to he sent for Gu the afrfVsi on
that officer the Court stated that the hour had
arrived for the decision of the COurt IN case
of St5te as. Luther j. YerriH. The prisoner,
| Luther !. Verrill, was brought into court in
charge of Sheriff Parker, and Judge Dick
| crson proceeded to read. During the reading
| 81 the opinion the prisoner paid the most at
| tentiye heed 10 it, an attention which was,
however, mingled with not the least appear
anee of nervousness or excitement The OF
ly noticeable difference between his appear
anee to-day and that on the occasion of the
delivery OF the arguments, q few days since,
planting Of colorless by slightly flushed
counte NANCE. The composure of the prisoner
was remarkable and creditable.
AS the Court proceeded with the law and
continued with the details OF the case, the
| prisoners eyes We're merely turned occasion
ally fIom the Court to the spectators without
| the least visible change in the expression of
| bis coGntenanee. HE Court proceeded near
| IL haitian hour before a safe conclusion could
| be reached as to its decision. As gradually
| fbp T.raviOuSlxy Cd oy1iy nf ho
tors, generally, that the Court would grant a
! new trial. was confirmed and at last establish
ed by the opinion of the Judge, fiutter OF ex-
element flashed through the crowd, and all
| eyes were turned to the prisoner whose coun-
tenanee was now concealed beneath his hand,
and his head bowed down toward the floor.
! W he'll his face was again uplitted, its previC us
expressionin which neither anxiety nor care
lessness could be detected, was still unchang-
| ed, and still when the Court finally said, Mr..
| Clerk = Eater upon the record" Notion Ses-
| tdined-Ne1o trial granted" and the crowd
| broke into burst OF applause, there was neith-
er eXuitatien nor excitement expressed in his
counteDanee. When, however, his family
| friends gathered around him and congratulate
| ed him, his face for the first time was lighted
up with quiet smile, and his satisfaction, hith-
erto concealed, was made gratefully but not
ostentatiously manifest. ..s...af 5t
/ The excitement in Court at this time was
| quite general, and judging from the remarks
of the crowd, the satisfaction at the result was
quite as general. Large numbers gathered
around the prisoner, showing their copcratu-
lations in various ways. Sheriff Parker, soon
| after the decision OF the Court was announced
held brief conversation with the prisoner
who said in reply to question as to whether
| he felt relieved: ' -f.+' q. 1es
"No, I don't know that do. always felt
that justice would be done me. have never
given myself any uneasiness rs to the final re-
4 suit, having clear conscience and knowing
I am innocent. But of course am glad TO be
free and be out again among my friends
! He said nothing about Harris nor his trial
nor did ne express any feeling of exultation OF
| Surprise. 10 .+..,s ,.,- ....t
| When quiet was again restored-the crowd
stil looking eagerly for the last scene in this
checkered trial-word was received from the
Attorney General and after a brief consulta-
| ton of Attorneys, the Clerk said 80 a,.- ~.i,1
| luther y. PerTH, stand up. The Court or
| DEE y0t: 10 be discharged from your indictment
oad 90 thereof without dayi t}.t~~5 q
| AT this announcement the spectators again
! burst into.a roar of applause, and the word
was teegraphed quickly to the street, "Veffill
il a free man" Quietly as before, the prisoner
| uttered his adieux 10 the officers in whose
| charge he has been for about year-his incar-
| ceration IN Aburn jail beginning February o.
lS6F-tfe door of the prisoners box was open
ed to him by the Sheriff and Luther j. Verrill
was once more free-jndicialIy freed from the
| awful charge of murder '@a -9!T %. -3.yI
| Mrs. Larkin Verrili's sister was by his side
and together they lett the Court House by
| the rear entrance, and soon after proceeded ia
| their home at West Auburn .-.ett. d.. ,,...l
| l1he opinion OF the Court WAS most able and
exhaustive in its law, its argu nlent It's fliator-
| &c. In closing, Inc Court announeed that
Judge w alton agreed fully With the opinion
! OF Judge Dickerson,
-. ~