The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-09-21
yANDERPOOL ACQUITTED.

Hastings, Michigan, last week. at the
first trial at Manistee Vanderpool was
convicted aud sentenced, if we remember
right. to State Prison for life. A new
trial was ordered and he was taken from
prison to Kalamazoo FOR his second trial
at this trial the jury failed to agree
His third trial which has been in progress
for some weeks was brought to a close one
day lat week blythe jury finding him
not guilty.
The Vanderpool case is one Of the
strangest in the annals of criminal trials.
At the frat trial scarcely any one thought
him to be not guilty. At his second tr1-
al the public, as we'll as the jury, were
divided in'opinion. At the close of the
third trial the jury found him not guilty,
and we think public opinion prepon-
derates in favor of the verdict being Just.
We have seen only part of the testimony
an from that cannot form an opinion.
The evidence was all circumstantial and
it is said that Vanderpool produced proof
inexplanation of some Of the circumstances
which appeared against him, and it was
made to appear possible that the murder
might have been committed by some
other person. But whether the jury &C
Quilted On the ground Unreasonable doubt
or belief of innocence, we are not in
formed. We append the following from
the Detroit Fr68 Press:
HASTINGS, Sept. 13-The jury took the
case to their room at about 1915 a. IN.
From that time 1ill noon there were
little knots Of people waiting about the
courthouse, probably not expecting
verdict to be brought in so soon, but
having come to see tie last and most i'm
portant part Of the case, the progress of
which has been watched so long and 50
inteutiy by the people of this State, they
wished TO run no risks. ##
Shortly after noon tile crowd began to
assemble in the hall of the court house
and a bout the yard, all eagerly watching
for some sign and inquiring if anything
had yet been heard from the jury
Finally, Mr.. Brooks, the officer in
whose charge the jury was left, was seen
coming from the room with q paper in
his hand. He went TO the room of the
Judge, and 10 few moments il was I'M
derstood that the jury wished additional
instructions. The court convened, and
the Judge was asked to reinstruct them
as to the distinction between murder in
the first and second degrees. Of course,
all were surprised at the nature of the re
quest, and were at loss to account for
such a quoe ion perplexing them in this
case. But it will be seen how it arose
After the distinction had been explained,
the counsel were asked If they wished TO
make any suggestions, when Mr.. Hughes
arose and requested the Judge to charge
the jury that no such verdict IS that of
murder in the second degree could be
found IL this case. Mr. Church said he
could not agree with the gentleman in
mis- request, that the evidence must de
eide that point. The Judge refused to
charge as requested, but said if the egi
dence warranted such q conclusion, their
duty was so to declare in the verdict,
although he remembered Do5hing from
which to draw such conclusion. Mr.
Hughes requested the Judge to state to
the jury whether or not he knew Of any
evidence In the case which would warrant
a verdict Of guilty of murder in the.
second degree. To which be said he did
not n
The court again took recess, but very
few left the grounds. They were left
not long in suspense.
At four o'clock the court was called to
order. The roll was called, the clerk
arose and asked the jury if they had
agreed upon verdict, to which they
replied they had. Then the foreman, Mr..
Macomber, arose, and being asked waeth
or they had found verdict Of guilty or
not guilty, replied, not guilty. At this
point the audience was uncomfortable in
its enthusiasm. They shook the very
building with shouting and cheering. But
the scene was of an entirely different
nature within the bar Mrs. Vanderpool,
as if having strained every nerve to sus-
tain herself during the suspense, uttered
faint cry, and to all appearances went
into cit of Mysteries Mr. Vanderpool
seemed to manifest little emotion, except
in his attention to his wife. Friends
from the city crowded uround them, not
without tears in their eyes, to care for
Mrs. Vanderpool and to congratulate
them upon the final dellverancc OF the
husband,
En- few moments order was again re-
stored and Mr.. Hughes asked that Mr.
Vanderpool might remain with Mr..
Vrooman, the Sheriff, few days, till he
could make other arrangements, to which
the court assented after which the court
adjourned sine die.
The first balloting ofthe jurors resulted
IN eight for acQuittal one blank, tWo who