The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-04-24
NOT GUILTY
BLACK-McKAIG HOMICIDE.
Acquitted on the Plea Of Self Defense
Closing Scene Of the Trial.

When Mr.. Whitney concluded the
case was given to the jury. The bail
iff in charge of the Jury was sworn to
keep them from all improper influences,
and they retired to their room. The
court did not adjourn, but waited for
the return Of the jury. After the jury
had been absent an hour and ten min
utes. it was communicated 10 the court
that thev had agreed upon a verdict
and were prepared to deliver 1t. A
scene of considerable excitement ensued.
Everybody seemed impatient, and there
was a hasty struggle for room. The
prisoner seemed calm, and less moved
than most Of those around him. The
Chief Justice warned the crowd not 10
indulge in any demonstration OF popu'
lar feeling. 1t was wholly out OF place
in court OF justice, and the grave issue
now at stake required that there should
be no outburst of feeling. The jury
then filed into court, and took their
seats. Their names were called 10y the
clerk, and they answered promptly.
The prisoner was then ordered TO
stand up and hold up his right hand
He arose quickly, and, rs he stood be-
fore the jury, he wore a smile OF the
calmest satisfaction, for he saw that his
freedom was near at hand.
The clerk then asked the jury, Have
vou agreed upon your verdict The
ans ,-er was, 1--WE have WHO shall
sneak to- your" was the next question,
and they g..'ve the name OF the tore
man NJ Fesca "What say ye, guilty
or not guilty?T was the next momen,
tous question. At the A'ne 'po'neh' h
the foreman arose, amid ain. "' ";sa ~ e"'" :
less silence, and said, in a clear '''e, -" :"
little tremulous, mot guilty" A sos,
of the widest excitement now followed.
No sooner had the words passed the
lips Of the foreman than shout OF
heartfelt exultation arose from the
crowd. George Layman, Sheriff Of
Allegheny county, stalwart noun.
taineer who sat near the prisoner, seized
him around the neck, raised him up
and kissed him with fervent JOY. His
mother clung to him as if To save hun
Tor her own embraces a dozen men
rushed towards him 10 shake him by
the hand, and everything indicated
with what popular feeling the verdict
had been received. This scene lasted
for a minute or more. Chief Justice
raped violently with his gavel
but in vain.
Every sound was drowned n the |
shout of the crowd. After brief time,
however, order was restored, and the
Chief Justice said he would punish
any man who made another demon.
stration of feeling in his presence.
The verdict was then recorded by the
Clerk, the Chief Justice ordered the
prisoner to be discharged, and Harry
Crawford Black walked forth a free
man. When he reached the street he
was loudly cheered, and he walked to
the City Hotel with his mother on his
arm. A great crowd followed him;
All along the route he received the con.
yratulatlonS OF his friends.
Mr. Voorhees, was seen running across
he court yard TO shake him by the
1and, and Mr.. Syester stopped him in
he street to express his happiness
Thus closed the trial Of Harry Craw-
ord Black. and mot guilty was the
verdict his country gave him. Of course
here was much questioning Of the
urop as to the plea which had &C.
quilted the prisoner, and il was authori-
atiyely announced that the plea Of al
eyed seduction had not secured it for
lim, but that the plea OF selidefense
iad brought him his liberty. The fact
II alleged seduction was ruled out by
he Court and could not weigh with
he jury.
The arguments Of Messrs. Nelson,
;yester, Voorhees, and Whitney were
eported in full by Mr.. James o. Gle
,hone, stenographer Of the Supreme
;ourt OF the District Of Columbia, and
hey will be published separately, in
form, by Mr.. Frank Burr, Of
he Washington Chronicle.