Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-09
Grand Jury Stories.


every man in the room was brought be
fore us. \ young girl had been accused
Of theft, a few dollars in money had
been stolen: it was found in her posses
sion, and she had made an incomplete
confession. The complainant was WO-
man, and defendant had been in her en-
plOy. When the case was called, the
woman entered the jury room, and was
sworn by the foreman. She took the
chair assigned to witnesses, and the fore
man questioned her.
Did you lose some money!
yes, sir"
when did you lose it,"
On the 1st day of December
"Who took it?'
"The girl named in the complaint"
GLOW do you know she took it ?"
Il found it in her possession, and she
confessed taking it.
THAT will do you can 90.
Bnt the woman kept her seat, and
moved her hands uneasily. "YOu can
20, said the foreman again, but she did
not start. A juror sitting near the door,
rose to show her out, and as he did so
the woman said
II do not wish to press the complaint.
| want to withdraw it and have the girl
released"
why so ?" asked the foreman.
"Bccause," and her voice began to
choke "because the girl is young and
do not wish to ruin her. If | send her
to prison she may become professional
thief; but, if | give her a chance, she
will be a good girl. Somebody else urged
her to steal the money, and | think she
will do better in the future. She is an
orphan and has no friends, and | want
to be her friend. | know she is guilty.
but | want to be merciful, and I beg you
to be merciful. gentlemen.
Half her uttcrance was drowned with
tears, which ran rapidly down her face,
The foreman told her to step outside and
he would call her again in a few mo-
ments and inform her Of the result Of
her eloquent appeal.
BE merciful, gentlemen" were her
last words a. she closed the door
1t was voted to dismiss the complaint,
and when the foreman called her to the
room, told her of the result vote and
commended her kindness of heart, her
tears flowed afresh and she thanked us
through broken sObS. | know that in
that room more eyes than hers were wet,
eyes unacCustOmed to tears.
But soon discussion arose as to the
nropriety Of the action. When the grand
jury was,cmpanneled, the following oath
was administered to the foreman
"YOu, Lucius $. Comstock. as fore
man of this grand inquest, shall diligcnt-
ly inquire and true prescntment make.
of all such matters as shall be given you
in charge, the counsel for the people of
this State. your fellows and your own.
yOu shall keep secret; you shall present
no one from envy, hatred or malice nor
shall You leave any one Unprescnted
through fear, favor, affection or hope Of
reward but You shall present all things
truly as they shall come to your knowl-
edge, according to your understanding,
so help you God.
And to the other members the follow
ing oath was administered:
''The same oath which your foreman
has taken on his part, you. and each of
you, shall we'll and truly observe and
keep on your part, SO help you Cod
Some Of our Jurors thought we had no
right, under our oath. to show favor, no
matter how strong might be the appeal
to our sympatlies. Every man in the
room wished to he lpnitnt. but at the
came time ohnvp all other limo. v;sl-
ed to do his duty The discussion re-
suited in our sending for the district at
torucy and asking his advice.
After hearing the case. hj said ther"
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much talk succeeded. The complaint
was withdrawn. the Young man was res