Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-03-21
NUMBER so.
REMARKABLE COURT SCENE.
A Jasy Compelled BY the Court to AZ
mmff AH Alicia NlnrAeper.

A Jary Compelled by the Court to Ae-
quit an Alleged Murderer.
The Philadelphia Telegraph gives
the folio wing as having occurred in
that city,:
At IL o'clock yesterday Judge Wood
hull charged the jury in the case of
Josiah Ward, indicted for the murder
of John Wady, and directed them to
return verdict of "not guilty." mas
much as the evidence did not support
the indictment.
The jurors were then directed to
stand up and give their verdict. Not
. juror moved from his place. They
seemed to be extremity puzzled wha: to
do under the new aspect of the case.
Judge Woodruff ll-Rise, gentlemen
and say what you think
At this second command they slowly
rose, one after another, still under
minded about the proper course for
them to pursue. The audience also
rose at this point and crowded forward
toward the bar, without making any
disturbance, Whatever, beyond the
noise of scufling feet and of suppressed
whispers.
Judge The jury cannot understsnd
exactly what is meant by the court.
There is nothing unusual about the
case, any more than there would be
about rendering . verdict OF nonsuit.
You may render it in this form, 'tupder
the direction of this court We find .
verdict of not guilty"
Judge added: "W6en you say not
guilty, you simply say what the law
requires you to say under these circum-
stances"
The jurors showed very decided evil
dence Of disobeying the request of the
court. Their faces were flushed, and
wore . curious expression of indecision.
One of them finally said: 1--WE won't
agree on that verdict"
Judge-Well, gentlemen, you may go
! to your room and consult each other. If
You find any Other verdict than the ono
you have been directed to find, it will
be instantly set aside.
Mr.. Wilson, foreman of the juEy-as
one in aoquiescence with the direction
Of the court, say "not guilty." but I
think differently.
Another juror-That is my view. .
.Judge-1t don't make any difference,
gentlemen, what your views are; the
court has decided this matter now.
You neesl not compromise your con-
sciences a* all It makes no difference
what your private views may be, and
We havenot even speculated upon them.
We take this course because We think
it is right. ...~
Mr.. Wilson-We have not had mo-
ment to speak With each other; We are
surprised, aid We can hardly tell what
to say.
MI: Jenkins-If the jury renders .
verdict Of guilty the question my be
tried again.
Judge-That is exactly what We do
not want.
Mr.. Jenl Cannot the Jury Al
ways give . verdict which will satisfy
their own view of the facts in the case I
Judge-No, sir, / think not. The
jury are now under tho direction Of
the court. and it il their duty to give
such verdict a. We have Indicated: #
they refuse to do it they viii be dis
charged, and the prisoner will also be
discharged. IF the gentlemen think
they have anything to deliberate about
they can retire to their rooms.
The jury did retire, and after being
out an hourreturned with the following
verdict: Being compelled by the
court We return verdict Of not guilty"
It was rumored about the courtroom
that eleven Of the jurors were in favor
of conviction, and one in favor of the
prisoner: -:
Immediately after the verdict was
rendered, Josiah Ward, in company
with his brother Samuel, passed out of
the courthouse and proceeded home
ward. ~ > s'- &s.~
The thre1 trials in this case lasted
fifty. eight days, and cost the county
$%,ooo -- - -.