Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-05
4 REMARKABLE CoURT SeENE.-The Phil

a REMARKABLE Court ScENE.-The Phil
adelphia Telegraph Of Friday says:
AT y o'clock yesterday Judge Woodruff
charged the jury In the caee of Josiah Ward
Indicted for the murder of John Wady, and di-
rectcd them to return a verdict of mot gull
ty inaSmuch as the evidence did not support
the indictment.
The jurors were then directed to stand up
and give In their verdict Not a juror moved
from his place. They seemed to be extremely
PUZZLED what to do under the new aspect of the
case.
Judge Woodruff Rise, gentlemen, and say
what you think.
At this second command they slowly rose,
one after another still undetermined about the
proper course for them to pursue. The au-
dence alsa rose at this point and crowded for
ward towards the bar without making any dis
turbance, however, beyond the noise of shut1
ing feet and ofsuppressed whispers.
Judge-The jury cannot understand exactly
what is meant by the Court. There is moth
ing unusual about this case, any more than
there would be about rendering verdict OF
non suit. You may render it in this form,
Under the direction Of this Court We find a
verdict Of not guilty.
There was no reply to this, and the Judge
added, when you say not guilty, you simply
say what the law requires you to say under
these circumstances
The Jurors showed very decided evidence Of
disobeying the request of the Court. Their
faces were flushed and wore curious EXPIRES
>iou Of indeclslou Que OF them finally SAID,
We won't agree upon that verdict
Judge-N ell, gentlemen, you may go to
your room and consult each other fyou find
any other verdict than the one you have been
directed to find, it will be instantly set aside.
Mr.. Wilson, foreman Of the jury-l as one,
in acquiescence with the direction OF the Court.
say not guilty. but think differently.
Another iuror--rhat is my view.
Judge-lt don make any difference, gen
temen, what your views are the Court has
decided this matter now. You need not COM
promise your consciences at all. 1t makes no
difference what your private views may be,
and we have not even specnlated upon them.
We take this course because We think it right.
Mr.. Wilson-We have not had a moment to
speak with each other; we are surprised, and
We could hardly tell what to say.
Mr. jenkins If the jury reuders a verdict
Of guilty the question may be tried again.
Judg.-That is exactly what we do not want.
Mr. Jeukins-Cannot the jury always give
verdict which will satisfy their own view OF the
facts 10 the case?
.Julge-No sir; think not. The Jury are
now under the direction Of the Court, aud 1t Is
their duty to give such verdict as we have ln-
dicated. fthcy refuse to do it they will be
discharged aud the prisoner will also be dis
charged. II the gentlemen think they have
anything to deliberate about they can retire to
their room.
The Jury dill retire, and after being out an
hour, returned with the following verdict =
Being compelled by the Court, we render
verdict of 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 pro-
ceeded homeward.
The three trials in this case lasted ifty-eight
days and cost the county $2S, ,OO0.
A DISHONEST CLERK-The Memphis Ava
lanche of the oath ult. says:
Last night about - o'clock Mr.. John II.
liackctt, we'll known and hitherto highly re-
spectacle young man, was arrested by Detec-
tive Cranmer upon the charge Of larceny, pre-
terred by his employers Messrs. d. c. and II.
NJ. Loewenstne. Mr.. Hackett has been 10 the
employ OF the Messrs. lIoewenstine for num-
Der Of years as confidential clerk.
In this capacity he has had the general su-
perntcudcnce of their business, and has always
rnioyed their confidence. For some time past
the Messrs Locwenstine have suspected that
something was wrong with Mr.. Hackett. Lie
dressed in the height Of style, boarded att
tirst-class hotel, and made numerous costly
presents to lady friends Cashmere shawls
lace handkerchiefS, fine velvctS aud silks. were
among the gifts with which he favored his
lady friends
This led to an examination of his books, when
it WAS found that he had in his possession some
$4,000 in bonds, the property OF his employ-
erS.
An investigation of his papers showed that
he had sent numerous trunks aud boxes, l!ed
with like materials, to a certain hrm IN New
York, who bought them at u large discount up
TN their real value. 1t was also found that
several ladies in the city-some OF whom are
married-had received numerous presents from
him, and during the afternoon some OF them
We're visited BY Detective Crnmer: In every
instance thew gave UP the articles without re-
nonstrancc. In addition to these ladies, 1t
was found that several Of the leaders OF the
demi i-monde had likewise been favored by the
handsome. and liberal Mr. Hackett
When arrested he took things very coo!ly,
not even asking what was the charge lie Was
locked up in the Adams street station mousse,
and will probably have hearing to-day. None
Of the bonds have been recovered as yet. ],
The firm have the numbers of all the bonds
and coupons, and iu the event OF their not be-
l'g gwen up they can stop payment upon them
and thus render them worthless. The exact
amount of embezzemeut is not known, but 1t
Is thought that, as it extends over such long
term OF years it will amount to very nearly
$,j.UOU
Nothing was said to Mr.. Hackett of their
suspicious: but last Monday Detective Cranmer
was called in and given the job to work up.
The detective discovered that Mr. Hackett was
the habit of sending numerous packages to
The house of a woman on St. Martin street,
winch were afterwards sent to. his own room.
An examination of these packages showed that
they consisted of bundle of the finest aud
ro>thest laccs Going to his apartments yes,
tcrday the detective searched them. and found
one trunk packed ready for shipment to New
orb l. IL Il. oJ, ~ fho