National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-04-12
CLARK ACQUITTED.
Declared Innocent of Murder After Four
Trials.

Declared Innocent of Murder After Four
Trials.
The trial of Samuel A. Clark, indicted for the
murder of John Lee, alias Jack Cash. on
Christmas Day, 1877 was continued in tho
Criminal Court, before Justice Hagner yester
day.
Officer Kellum and T. F. Miller testified for
the defense, and with their testimony the evi.
deuce closed.
IL. II. Wells, ir, made an excellent opening
argument, portayng in full the evidence pre-.
scented by the Government and maintaining
that complete case of deliberate murder had
been made out
Mr.. c. Maurice Smith followed for the de-
Tense, and in his address to the jury demon.
stratcd that the prosecution not only failed to
sustain the charge laid in tho indictment, but
that the defense controvertcd their principal
proof and made 1t unworthy of belief His ar.
gument displayed both close study of the case
aud marked ability.
Mr.. Thomas f. Miller closed for the defend.
ant, and made one of the finest arguments ever
heard in tho courtroom. lie did not wander
of into ilowery speeches or imaginary surround
ings but confined himself exclusively to the
evidence, aud knit it together in such COM
pact aud positive manner rs to carry ConyiC.
section, but he viewed pro and con- and then
left it TO the jury for their weight and decision
District Attorney Wells then followed aud
summed up with the olOquence and impress
iycnoss for which he is noted. Justice Hagner
then delivered q charge which for fairness and
impartiality has not been surpassed in the
court, aud 6:Jj p. NJ, the jury received the
case, His Honor remarking that he would re.
turn at nine o'clock TO hear from them. lie
came back at halfpast nine p. M, aud the
jury were sent for
In answer to the question of the clerk the
foreman stated that they had not agreed.
His Honor remarked that if they thought
that they would agree in any reasonable time
he would wait for them. The foremen replied
that il he would give them an hour he thought
that they would agree. This length of time
was accorded them. At twenty minutes to
eleven p. m the jury again came into court, it
having been previously announced that they
| had agreed. The Assistant District Attorney,
| II. ii. Wells, jr., and both of the counsel
for the defendant were present. The jury filed
| into the seats and the silence was almost on
| pressive. The defendant who had been in ex-
| cclcnt spirits up TO this time, seemed to realize
| the seriousness of bis situation, and his face
| bore very solemn look.
The clerk called the roll, aud then asked the
| usual questions. When the one, what say
| you; is tho prisoners guilty or not guilty ~ was
| proroundcd there was sudden pushing for
ward of heads to catch the response and when
the foreman responded "Not guilty" the APP
pause could not be restrained, aud the court
| called upon the officers to suppress IT,.
in the midst of the congratulations that
poured in upon Clark the verdict was received
and recorded, the prisoner discharged luube.
known to HIM, and he returned to the Mar
shal's Office, where lac was surrounded by hi,
friends. A little later, hearing that the jury
were cut in the hail, going to their homes, h,
went among them, and rs best he could, re
turned thanks for their verdict in his favor.
Not long afterward he, accompanied by q
few friends, proceeded to his home to pass tn,
first night out Of prison since Christmas 1877
and again free man.
IN the meantime his counsel came in for 6
large share of congratulations for the abb,
manner in which they had conducted the de
Tense.
From the hest information obtained the jury
stood upon the first ballot nine for acquitta
and three for conviction. Fifteen minute
later, and ON the second vote, it stood clever
for acquittal and one against. This was th
status Of the jury when first brought int,
court, and in the interim the twelfth man (col
ored) was brought over and made the verde
unanimous for acguittal.
| u GTV u ~