Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-10-08
The Trial of Griffln-A Scathing Rebukt

No TRIAL has been held in this county
that has created as much excitement as
the case of the Engineer Griffin, which
has lust resulted in verdict of acquittal
The law in the case is very plain, as will
be seen by the charge'of Judge Barrett to
the jury, published in yesterdays Times =:
but the good character of the accused, and
the Dlea of his able counsel that man in
n sleeping or somnambulistic state was not
responsible for his acts, had sufficient
weight with the jury to cause them to
render verdict of "not guilty." notwith-
standing the Judge instructed them very
pointedly to arrive at an opposite conclu-
sion. Railroad men generally sympathize
with Griffin, as do the citizens of this
place. Judge Barrett is furious over the
verdict, and considers it an outrage on
the community.
At the opening of the court yesterday
morning Judge Barrett ordered the Clerk
to call the names of the jury in the Griffin
case, and directed that they be seated on
his left. The Clerk then proceeded to call
the names, and the jurors responded as
they were called until the whole panel had
taken their seats. The jury knew they
were under the ban of the Judges dis
pleasure on account of their action the
previous evening, but they were not prob
ably prepared for the pouring out OF in
dignation which was soon to burst forth
from his Honor. The courtroom was full,
and the unusual proceeding had arrested
and excited the interest of every one
present, and eager curiosity was aroused
as to what was coming next.
Judge Barrett, addressing the jury,
said:
"GenAeme2 You last night returned
into court, after hearing of two days,
with verdict of not guilty in the case of
the Commonwealth against James Griffin.
This was not expected, and your verdict
was against law, against justice, and an
outrage against humanity. You violated
the obligations of your oath-a plain, SIM
pie obligation to render verdictaccording
to the evidence. Instead of that you rem
dered a verdict against every particle -of
evidence. The cause of the defendant
was abandoned by his counsel Drowning
men will catch at straws. The theory OF
the defense is unknown to the law, and
the counsel for the defendant did not be-
lieve it themselves. / was, and still am,
astonished at, your verdict l am
astonished that you should in this way set
aside the law and violate your oaths; and
L trust that the SplrltS Oh the dead, dylng,
bleeding and burnt victims of Mast Hope
will rebuke you as long as you live. We
have no power to cure the great wrong
which you have inflicted on the commu-
nifty"
The Judge continued at considerable
length to recount the horrors of the dread
full disaster at Mast Hope, and to ask the
jury if they had no sympathy for the suf-
ferers there, but must waste it all on the
prisoner, who was the author of the great
calamity. He concluded his rebuke to the
astonished jurymcn, as follows:
"In future hope that you will feel a
proper regard for your oaths. You are
now discharged from any further duty at
this court. You are not fit to sit as jury
men. l will not try causes before such a
jury"
Mr.. Jessup, of counsel for prosecution
made motion that Griffin be held in
recognizance to await proceedings against
him on an Indictment for mans1aughter
under the common law. After some dis
cussion by counsel on either side, the
Judge denied the motion. e
Griffin was then released from custody,
and Immediately started for his home at
Susquehanna depot.-Matord, Pa, Cor.
~. Y Herald.