The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-23
THE CRIME OF SEDUCTION.

THE KILLING OF sEDUCER JUsTIFTED-A
CALIFORNIA JURY THINKS THAT MUYBRIDGE
SERVED LARKYNs RIGHT-A REMARKABLE
SENSATION IN COURT.
The correspondent of the New York Sun.
writing from Napa, CAL, gives the follow
ing account of q remarkable trial in that
state: The closing scenes OF the trial of
Muybridge for the murder of Harry Lar
kyns were ofa remarkable character. The
jury retired at IL O'Clock last night. 1t
was the general expectation that
they would return with a verdict
of acquittal within an hour, and the
spectators who had thronged the court room
all day waited TO hear it; but as the hours
rolled on. and the sound Of loud and earnest
discussion continued in the jury room, they
slowly departed to their homes, and Muy-
bridge was t'ken back TO Jail for the
night. On retiring to their room the
jury stood five for conviction and seven
for acquittal. This morning second ballot
was taken, with the same result. The dit
ference between them was on the question
of insanity. Few, if any, believed Muy-
bridge insane, but the majority contended
that sane or insane he was justified in killing
Larkyns for having seduced his wife. On
this broad ground they finally all met, and
then the only quarrel was in regard to the
form of the verdict, whether il should he
simply "Not guilty." or mot guilty on sc-
count of insanity" Upon this they diff
fered longest, the majority contending that
Muybridge was not insane. They finally
carried their point, t,and at noon to-day ver-
dict was reached. The sheriff was apprised
of the fact, and he secretly notified the
judge and counsel. Muybridge was then
taken into court, and the jury having re-
sumed their seats, the clerk called
their names and then inquired, "Gentlemen
ofthe jury, have you agreed upon YER
dict7" The foreman arose and replied, "We
have" at the same time passing to the clerk
slip of paper. The clerk unfolded it amid
a silence like the stiffness OF death, aud read
its contents. Then he passed il to the judge,
who read it, and returning it TO the clerk,
said, Gentlemen OF the jury, is that your
verdict?"
The Fcreman-Is is.
The Judge Ito the clerk Record the ver-
dict, Mr.. Clerk.
The pen of the clerk flew nervously over
the paper for few moments, while all eyes
were fastened upon him, the prisoner
SITTING LIKE STATUE,
bis eyes fixed in a stony stare, and not
muscle moving under the tension of excite
ment. Suddenly the pen of the clerk ceased
moving, and, arising, the scribe said. read
listen to your verdict as it stands recorded:
"People VS.. Muybridge-We, the jury, find
the defendant not guilty"
At the sound of the last momentous
words convulsive gasp escaped the
prisoners lips, and he sank forward
from his chair. The mental and
nervous tension that sustained him for
days OF uncertain fate was removed in an
instant, and he became as helpless as a new
born babe. Mr.. Pendergast caught him in
his arms and thus prevented his falling to
the floor, but his body was limp as a wet
cloth His am0tiOp hacan1a oonxyr1lsi va and
frightful. His eyes were CLASSY, his jaws
set, and his face livid. The veins OF his
hands and foreherd swelled out like whip
cord. He moaned and wept convul-
sively. but uttered no word Of pain or re-
joicing. Such a display of over
ever, been witnessed in court OF Justice.
The Hood gate of feeling seemed suddenly to
have been lifted and the long pent up tor
reHt of emotion to have burst upon the man,
sweeping all before it. he rocked to and
| fro in his chair. His tacs was abs Oiu teiy
horrifying in its contortions es convuls:cn
succeeded convulsion. The judge discharged
the Jury and hastily left the court
room, unable to bear the sight, and
it became necessary TO recall
him subsequently, to finish the
in his handkerchief, while the prosecuting
attorney and some of the jurors hurried
away to avoid the spectacle. Others gathered
around TO calm the prisoner, and all ofthem
were moved TO tears. Muybridge at last, b.
a powerful effort, controlled his emotion,
and in fifteen minutes was able 70 90 upon
the street. The Judge was then recalled TO
the bench. and on motion of counsel for the
defense, Muybridge was formally discharged
| from custody. In the meantime the
NEWS OF THE AcQUIrTAL
had reached the street, where it spread rap
idly. A large crowd gathered in front of the
court room, and as Muy bridge descended the
steps free man, they cheered vociferously
and long. he was surrounded by the crowd,
every man OF which seemed anxious to con-
gratulate him first. Then they went off to
find the jurymen and congratulate them.
feverish excitement. Nothing but the
verdict was discussed. The satisfac.
tion with the verdict was very
nearly unanimous; but few, while
admitting that Muybridge should not be
severely punished, contended that his &C
quittal was in defiance of law. and would
encourage Others TO deeds OF blood. A sort
of provincial pride on their side was in
volved in the matter, ard for the good name
of the county they said they felt sorry. to
see homicide go unpunished, but these were
in an Insignificant minority. The verdict
is sort of new departure in snch cases, an
abandonment of the insanity theory. under
cause assigned in this case has 50 often been
justified by American juries. On retiring 20
their room the jury were given four forms oi
verdict by the judge. One was guilty OF
murder in the first degree, punishable by
death, and another fixing the penalty as i'm
prisonment for life, a third of not guilty, and
the last, not guilty because of defendants
insanity. They were very pointedly in
structed by the judge that, it Larkyns Sc
duced defendants wife, the defendant was
not justified in taking the law into his own
hands and Staying the seducer. The de-
tense, recognizing this as good law, set up
the theory that defendant was acting under
an irresistible passion or insane impulse
arising from the discovery OF his wife's in
fidelity. The jury discarded entirely the
theory of insanity, and meeting the case on
the bare issue left, acquitted the defendant
on the ground that he was justified in kill
ing Larkyns for seducing his wife. They
say that If their verdict was not in accord
i with the M "a so \, bol L..