Daily Republican., 1879-06-20
EDITION.
End Of lhe Duer Trtai-Verdict "
ManslRug hter.

Snow HILL, Md, June l9th.-lh
Jury in the case OF Lille Duer for
homicide of Ella Hearn, came into court
9.l5this y. NJ. The Court House
was crowded, but the stiffness of death
prevailed when the prisoner entered !
leaning Oh the arm Of the Sheriff. The
panel was called, and in reply to the
question of the Clerk the jury announ-
ced that they had agreed upon a ver-
dict.
Granville Stokes, the foreman, when
called answered "Guilty OF murder,
with a recommended on to the mercy OF
the Court.
Judge Wilson informed him tnat the
verdict must be formal, and the reply
must not be equity of murder" but
"guity of manslaughter" The formal
answer was made, but before the clerk
recorded the verdict, Mr.. Crisield, ,coun-
sci for the defense, demanded poll of
the jury. The panel was then called,
and the formal answer OF "guilty OF
manslaughter" was made until the
name of Edward +. Causey, the eighth
Juror was called. He ans Tered distinct
~ ''not guilty"
The reply created a sensation in
court, and appeared to afford relief to
many present. Judge Wilson said that
a. the jury had not agreed they would
again have to retire and they did so.
Lille Duer occupied the same seat
within the bar where she has sat since
the trial tegan. She remained appar-
emily calm, but was suffering severe
mental emotion, and few tears tricklea
down her cheeks. Her father and sis
ter Matilda, sat by her, as they have
since the trial began.
At II 10 A. M. the jury informed the
Court that an agreement had been
reached, and they were summoned into
the courtroom. After the panel had
beea called, in reply to the usual ques-
tiou, the jury answered that their
verdict was "Not guilty of murder, bnt
guilty of manslaughter.'
The Sheriff then took charge of the
prisoner.
At two o'clock Court was called, and
though nothing was left but to pro-
lounce the sentence of the Court on the
prisoner, a number of ladies occupied
The gallery, and awaited the arrival OF
the prisoner from her hotel. At 2.lO
the prisoner appeared, leaning on the
arm of the Sheriff, and took her seat
facing the Judges bench. At 45
Judge Wilson asked counsel for the
prisoner if she had anything to say
why sentence should not be pronounced
against her, to which there was mega
tive reply.
Judge Wilson then addressed the
prisoner, saying; Lillian Duer, you
have been tried by jury OF true and
honest men for one OF the most heinous
offences known to the law, and they
have found you guilty Of manslalghter.
In view of the fact that there is no
stain upon your previous life the jlry
has recommended you to the mercy Of
the Court, and the court is glad Of it.
The law permits Imprisonment in the
pententiary or the common Jail, or a
maximum fine Of $500. The court will
not sentence you TO Imprisonment, but
as the offence was of So grave a charac
ter, the Court will impose the highest
fine which the law provides. The court,
therefore, sentences you to pay a fine f
$500 and to stand committed until the
fine is paid.
Miss Duer sat like q statue While
Judge Wilson addressed ltr, and the
only emotion visible was rapid con-
traction and relaxation Of the muscles
of her face. After sentence the sheriff
took charge Of the prisoner but she was
not taken to prison. Her friends will
at once pay the fine, when she will he
discharged.
One OF the jurors, after the rendition
of the verdict, declared his belief in the
innocence Of the prisoner, and another,
john G. Ellis, while the jury wa br.
ing po}leI, answered 'guilty Of muir
der,' but not guilty rot mamslauI me.
The mistake was not noticed eXrrlt
by one Of the jurors, who made an effort
to correct him, but the next nam- was
called, and nothing further was said
about it.