The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-27
WAITING FOR THE VERDICT.
The Prisoner Laughs While the
Jury Deliberate.
MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE
The Penalty Imprisonment for Life---Eow She
Stood the Ordeal CompOSure
to the Last.
NRw HAVEN, April 20, 1877

NRw HAVEN, April 70, 1874
The court room was densely packed this morning
by residents OF the city and the surrounding towns
while hundreds waited for hours In the Hobbies with
out in hopes OF getting glimpse OF the accused az
she left the room. The jam was so great the Sher.
hrs officers fearing that the doors would be carried
by storm, locked and bolted them TIE spectators
within and without were largely composed OF
ladies'
After the jury had taken their seats and
order had been secured by Sheriff Scott, Judge
Park charged the jury, at twenty minutes before
ten, tho Judge and jury standing. The Court re-
ferred to the points charged in the indict-
ment, and said that the question for the
jury is whether by the law and evidence
she Is guilty or not guilty. In conclusion the
Court called attention to clause in the statutes
OF the State that provides that If in Of trial
for poisoning the jury are satisfied OF the guilt
OF prisoner but not so fully II the fact were
tabsned by two witnesses-as the law originally
declared two were necessary to convict OF murder
In the first degree by poson-a verdict OF muir
der in the second degree may be rendered.
You will therefore render verdict of guilty OF muir
der In the first degree murder in the second de-
gree or acquit her.
WAITING FOR THE VERDICT.
The Jury retired at twenty minutes to eleven, ana
Immediately the audience entered into a free dis
cussion OF the probabilities OF conviction. As write
appearance. In ali parts Of t are Knots Of GENTLE
men and ladies' including many Of the most dis
tinguished In fashion, politics. society, religion and
education, animatedly commenting upon the case.
The prisoner sits In the centre OF her relatives, more
composed than she has been for days.
OCCASIONALLY SHE SMILES CAVITY
and comments as freely as any OF those about her
upon the probable result. Her sister, Mrs. Nafey,
who is on her left, display much more outward evil
dences of anxiety than does the accused.
After the Jury had been in consultation half an
PRISONER WAS LAUGHING j,
heartily at the scene Of busy, humming life about
her, that resembled New York pubic school room
when the teachers surrender 1t to the children for
few minutes recess, the door of the jury room
was suddenly opened, and instantly the noise, the
ringing laugh and
THE rArrINa or FEET WERE hustled
in expectation OF the end being near 1t proved to
be false alarm: The jury merely wanted the.
statutes to examine the law as to the degree OF
h Door as cose n te he
gossip and laughter with more zest than before.
The prisoner, too, seemed indifferent and quite
resigned for one who sat near hr counsel
UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE sCAFFoLD.
For the next half hour she maintained this remark
After the jury has been out an hour the door Ii
suddenly thrown open and the deputy in charge
MAKES WAY FOR THE JURY.
Instantly the hum of voices Is hushed. Yale pro-
fessors who engaged In scientific disquistions
unfinished; fashionable bellies from Mllhouse av-
enue, who were discussing the latest fashions and
| THE vuIaARITY OF DOLLY vARDENs,
that prominent In the audience instantly for
got their themes of conversation, and quiet anx-
iety rested on every fair face. Sherif Scott
manded silence, when the spectators Were as sta
tionary as statues, and not even fashionable fan
ruliled the foul air OF the court room. Then the
clear voice Of Judge Park said:-
| .'Pol the jury, Mr.. Clerk"
Clerk Osborne arose and called the names OF the
jurors All responded.
Clerk-Jury, look at the prisoner; prisoner, look
at the jury.
The fury and the accused arose simultaneously,
the prisoner still being unmoved by the solemn
scene presented In her hand she held fan that
she had used during the absence of the jury; but
now 1t rested quietly in her right hand which hung
by her side.
Clerk-What say you, gentlemen OF the jury Do
you lind the prisoner guilty or not guilty.
Mr. thompson Uoreman)-Of murder In the Sec
Ond degree. We find hesitating) the accused
GUILTY OF MURDER THE SECOND DEGREE.
Cerk-Hearken to your verdict. You find the
accused guilty of murder in the second degree, so
say you a2
The jury nodded assent, and they dropped into
their seats. The prisoner at once sat down, but
beyond
AN AsHY PALLoR
that overspread her face there nothing to
show that she had been taken by surprise. Her
sister, Mrs. Nafey, who sat on her left, burst into
tears, while stray tear coursed down the cheek
OF her son, John Struck who occupied seat on the
left. Her brother Mr.. Danburry, of New Brunswick,
and her brother-in-law, Mr.. Nafey, visibly
affected as were also her counsel, Messfs Watrous
and Gardener, who were evidently greatly sur
prsed ut the verdict
Judge Park at once suspended the Court until
two O'clock when it IL probable the able States'
Attorney, Judge Foster, who had but little hope Of
The verdict of the jury makes her punishment i'm
prisonment for life. The verdict Is generally con-
sidered in this community a righteous one.
Thus ends one of the most remarkable trials that
has ever taken place in New England, and 1t Is safe
to say that this jury, who have been permitted to
roam at large over the country during the progress
OF the trial, have shown that there is still In 1.-THE
Land of Steady Habits' respect for the law.