Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-03-28
REMARKABLE COURT SCENE.
A Jury Compelled by the Court TO ac-
quit an Alleged Murderer.

Jury Compelled by the Court TO Ac-
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 q verdict of "not guilty." mas
much as the evidence did not support
| the indictment.
The jurors we're then directed to
stand up and give their verdict. Not
a Juror moved from his place. They
seemed t8be extremity puzzled wha: to
do under the new aspect OF The case.
Judge Woodhull-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 scuff1lng feet and OF suppressed
whispers.
~Judge-The jury cannot understand
exactly what is meant by the court.
There is nothing unusual about the
case, any more than there would be
about rendering a verdict of nonsuit.
You may render it in this form, under
the direction of this court We find o
verdict Of not guilty"
There was no reply to this, and the
Judge added: "When you say not
guilty, you simply shy what the law
requires you to say under these circum-
stances
The jurors showed very decided ovi-
dence OF disobeying the request Of the
court. Their faces were flushed, and
wore a curious expression Of indecision.
One of them finally said: eve won't
agree on that verdict"
Judge-Well, gentlemen, You may go
to your room and consult each other. Ii
you find any othe. verdict than the one
you have been directed to find, 1T will
be instantly set aside.
Mr.. Wilson, foreman of the jury-as
one in acquiescence with the direction
Of the court, say ''not guilty" but l
think differently.
Another juror-That is my view.
Judge-It don't make any difference,
gentlemen, what your views are; the
court has decided this matter now.
You need not compromise your con
| sciences at all. 1t makes no difference
what your private views may be, and
we havenoe even speeulated upon them.
We take this course because We think
it is right.
Mr.. Wilson-We have not had a mo-
ment to speak with each other; we are
surprised, aid we can hardly tell what
to say.
Mr.. J~enkins-If the jury renders a
verdict of guilty the question may be
tried again.
Judge-That is exactly what we do
not want
Mr.. Jenlins-Cannot the jury al
ways give a verdict which will satisfy
their own view of the facts in the case z
Judge-No, sir, | think not. The
jury are now under the direction of
the court, and it is their duty to give
sucn a verdict as we have indicated. II
they refuse to do it they will DO 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 hour returned with the following
verdict: "Being compelled by the
court we return a verdictof not guilty
1t was rumored about the courtroom
that eleven of the jurors we're 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.
The thre, trials in this case lasted
fifty eight days, and cost the county
SOS, 0O0.