Connecticut western news., 1872-02-09
The AcQuitta1 of Mrs. Wharton.

The Acquitta1 of Mrs. Wharton.
 The following is the closing scene in the trial of Mrs. Wharton at Annapolis, Md
 At 10 o'clock the Chief Judge was in formed that the jury had agreed. The court room was soon filled by an eager crowd, but few ladies being present. At 1920 Mrs. Wharton and her daughter, accompanied by MT. and Mrs. J. Craw- i ford Nelson, entered the courtroom. Mrs. Nugent and Miss Rosa Nelson were also present. Mrs. Wharton, her daugh- ter and her friends appeared in good spirits, as the favorable character of the verdict was known to them. At 1925 the Chief Judge directed that the jury be brought in. Mrs. Wharton had already been placed in the prisoners box. At 10:27 the jury entered and rendered 8 verdict of not guilty.
 Previous to the entry of the jury in the courtroom Chief Judge Miller ad- monished the audience that no manifes- tations of approval or disapproval would be permitted on the rendering of the verdict. After the jury had arrived and taken their seats for few minutes still ness and silence as solemn as ever wit messed at Q death-bed scene pervaded the room. Mrs. Wharton was standing in the prisoners box, with MT. Crawford Nelson at her side, and by them stood Miss Nellie Wharton, with MT. Thomas, one of the counsel. The oppressive si- lence was broken by the calling of the jury by the court clerk and their answer ing.
 Colonel Harwood, the clerk, then said
 "Gentlemen of the jury, are you agreed upon your verdict?"
 There was a nod of assent from the jurors:
 Clerk-Who shall answer for you ?
 A Juror-Our foreman.
 Mrs. Wharton was then directed to raise her right hand.
 Clerk-Gentlemen of the jury, look upon the prisoner at the bar. How say you; is she guilty of the matter whereof she stands indicted or not guilty
 The foreman, Franklin Deale, then said Not guilty.
 As the foreman answered there was slight manifestation of applause, which was instantly checked by the court and bailifs. Every eye was fixed upon the prisoner, who still stood calm, apparent ly unmoved, but through the heavy black crape veil, which was not displaced, tears could be seen streaming down her sad, pallid face. Otherwise there was no sign of emotion. Miss Nellie wept, and was deeply affected when Mrs. Wharton left the prisoners box. MT. Steele, MT. Thomas, and MT. Hagner, her counsel, each shook her hand with brief words of congratulation. Her friends present also shook her hand, expressing gratif cation at the result of the trial. It is un- derstood that before agreeing the jury stood eight for acquittal and four were not fully determined upon their verdict. It was first decided they would agree and not go in in hurry. During the time they were out five ballots were taken, after which verdict of not guilty was agreed to. From the commencement to the close of the trial the case has been conducted with marked ability, equally in the matter of evidence and of argu- ment. The State has been represented by Attorney General Syester and State Attorney Revel, who stand at the head of their profession as able and skillful at- torneys, while the prisoner has been de- tended by gentlemen who have few su- periors at the bar. The court was com- posed of Judge Miller, of the Court of Appeals of the State and Chief Judge of thls district, assisted by Judges Hayden and Hammond, three as able jurists as sit upon the bench of the 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 ot the law as we'll as the facts. Before the court was adjourned it was understood between the court and counsel that the i trial of Mrs. Wharton on an indictment for attempting to poison MT. Van Ness would come off at the regular term of the court, in April. MT. Steele asked that the court fix the bail for her appear ance in that case with due consideration | to the circumstances of Mrs. Wharton. The court fixed the bail at $5, 1000 on Mrs. Wharton's personal recognisance, and $2, 800 each of the securities. Mrs. | Wharton then acknowledged her recog- nizance and MT. J. Crawford Nelson and Miss Nellie Wharton became security in $2, 500 each. The court then adjourned Mrs. Wharton left the room, leaning on the arm of MT. Steele and Miss Nellie that of MT. Thomas. Mrs. Wharton will remain 0 few days in Annapolis at the house of friend. During the trial sixty six witnesses were summoned, and ffty-six sworn, the cost of the trial being about $16, ,OO0.