The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-01-27
MRS. WHARTON NOT GUILTY.
CLOSE OFTHE GREAT TRIAL.
An Impressive Scene-She Is Released
on Ball, and Remains In Annapolis
The Cost Of Her Trial.

on Bail, and Remains In Annapolis
The Cost Of Her Trial.
ANNAPOLIS, January "a.
at ten minutes of ten o'clock the chief
Judge was informed that the jury. had agreed.
The courtroom was soon flled1 y an eager
crowd, but few ladies being present. At
twenty minutes past ten, Mrs. Wharton and
her daughter, accompanied by Mr.. and Mrs.
J. Crawford Nelson, entered the courtroom.
Mrs. Nugent and Miss Rosa Nelson were also
present. HRS. Wharton, her. daughter and
her friends appeared In good splrIt', as the
favorable character of the verdict was known
to them. At twenty-five minutes past ten,
the chief Judge erected that the jury be
brought in. At twenty-six minutes past len,
the Jury entered. Mri. Wharton had already
been placed in the prisoners box. AT twenty.
seven minutes past ten, the verdict of "NOt
guilty" was rendered.
The oppressive silence was broken by the
calling Of The jury by the clerk; and their an
swering Colonel Harwood, clerk, then said |:
"Gentlemen of the jury, are yon agreed upon
your verdict" There was nod OF assent by
Clerk. "Who shall answer for you~
A Juror answered. "Our foreman"
right hand. d
Clerk. "Gentlemen of The Jury, look upon
the prisoner at the bar. How say you; Is she
guilty of the matter whereof she stands In
dicted, or not gnllty ?"
Foreman (Franklin Deale.) s'Not guilty."
AS the foreman answered, there was slight
manifestation OF applause, which was instanta-
neously checked by the court and balliff,.
Every eye was fixed upon the prisoner, who
still stood calm and apparently unmoved, but
through the heavy black Grape veil, which was
not displaced, tears could be seen streaming
down her face. Otherwise there was no sign
of emotion. Miss Nellie wept and was deeply
affected. When Mrs. Wharton left the prison.
er's box, Mr.. Steele, Mr.. Thomas and MIR. Hag-
ner, her counsel, each shook her hand, with
brief words OF congraiu alton. Her friends
present also took her hand, expressing gratid-
cation at the result Of the trial. ia
It is understood that before agreeing the
Jury stood eight tor acqulttal and iour were
not fully determined on Eheir verdict. IT was
first decided they would agree and not go In
hung jury. DuliDg the lime they were out
FIVE ballots we're taken, after which verdict
az ''not guilty. was agreed to.
From Its commencement to Its close the
trial OF the case has been conducted with
marked ability, equally in the matter OF evil
dence and argument. The State has been
represented by yAttorney-General Syester and
States Attorney ReVell, who stand at The
head Of the profession as able and sktlfui o..
torpeI g; while the prisoner was defended by
gentlemen who have few superlors at The bar.
The court was composed OF Judge Miller, of
the Court of Appeals of the State, aud chief
inslice of this district, assisted by Judges
Hayden and Hammond, three as able jurists
as sit upon the bench of this State. In every
respect the Trial has been impartial and ably
conducted.
There was no charge to the jury by the
court, the constitution Of Maryland containing
provision that In criminal cases the jury
shall be judges Of the law as well as The Iacts.
Before adourning, ir was understood be-
tween the court and counsel that the trial OF
Mrs. Wharton on the Indictment for the at
tempt 10 poison Mr.. Van Ness would come of
at the regular term Of the court IN April.
Previous to the entry Of the jury in the
courtroom, Chief Justice Miller admonlshed
the audience that no manifestations OF ap-
proyal OF disapproval would be permitted on
The rendering of the verdict. Alter the Jury
had entered and taken their seats, for few
minutes stiffness and silence as solemn as
ever witnessed at 6eath-bed scene pervaded
the room. Mrs: Wharton was standing In the
her side, and by them stood Miss Nellie Whar-
ton with Mr.. Thomas. one of the counsel. ~
Mr.. Steele asked that the court fix the bail
for her appearance in that case, with due
consideration to the circumstances of Mrs.
Wharton. The court fixed the ball at $4,000
on Mrs. Whal toms personal recognizance.
and $2600 each Of two securities. Mre. Whar-
ton then acknowledged her recogDizance. and
Mr.. J. Crawford Nelson and Miss Nellie Whar-
ton became security in $250O each. The court
then adjourned. Mrs. Wharton left the room
leaning on the arm of Mr.. Steele, and Miss
Nellie on that OF Mr.. Thomas. Mrs. Wharton
will remain few days at Annapolis, at the
house of friend.
During the trial sixty-six Witnesses were
summoned by the State, and thirty-four
sworn. For the defence serenty.two were
summoned, and fifty-si1 sworn. The cost OF
the trial Is about $4,000.
The following Is list Ct the jury, with their
ages and occupations: j. Franklin Deale,
(foreman) ffLy.nine, farmer; Lloyd Brown,
filty.six. farmer; Stephen Beard, f1tty-seVen,
farmer; James a. Bruce, sixty, farmer; Dr.. B.
R. Davidson, twenty-six, firmer and doctor;
George johnson. Jr., thirty, printer; John H.
Sellman, Lhirly-four, farmer and lawyer; Z. 4.
W. Sheckell, twenty-eight, farmer; G. G.
Stewart, tifly-three, farmer; George M. Taylor,
Jr.. twenty Elk, telegraph operator; George W.
Watkins, forty-six, merchant, and X. II.
Welch, twenty-eight, farmer.
The Jury was one of the best ever empanel.
led In Anne Arundel County.