The New York herald., 1879-09-20
WAITING FOR THE VERDICT.
The Bridgeport Murder Case
With the Jury.
EXCITEMENT AMONG THE CITIZENS.
Growing Indications Of a
Disagreement.
BRIDaEpoRr. Sept. 10, 1879.

BRIDGEPoRT. Sept. 10, 1879.
No who had to elbow his way yesterday
through the serred ranks of the spectators at the
Bridgeport murder trial could have doubted for
moment that the approaching close OF the case was
u moment of thrilling interest for the people
of this place, Norwalk and other neghboring towns
of this State. which equally well represented
Guilty or not guilty9 has the question ex-
citedly discussed for the last two or
three days. and at last the problem was
about to be solved. Immediately after the evi-
dence of Stark nearly every believed that
Buchholz would be promptly found guilty. but it
appears that the defence raised some doubts in
the minds OF many people, and that the impression
has gradually been gaining ground that il not an
acquittal at least disagreement might after all
suit. Particularly among the fair sex Buchhoz has
hosts Of warm friends and sympathzers, who have
been waging battle in his behalf against their lovers
husbands, brothers and fathers gain their stern
minds over to belief in Buchholzs innocence. Yes
terday Buchholz's fair friends fairly packed three
fourths Of the court room. and his tears awakened
their deepest sympathies and called forth the autter
ing OF at least two dainty handkerchiefs.
CONCLUSION THE ARGUMENT.
The States Attorney completed his argument in
about three quarters of hour. mainly continuing
his analysis of Stsrks testimony, and showing &C
cording to his view Of the case how utterly incon-
sstent it was in almost every particular with the
sumption OF the possibility of the prisoners ipno-
cence. He closed with q vehement appeal to the
jury to do their duty just he had done his,
and to convict the accused of wilful, delib-
crate murder. at which Buchholz. who had
appeared under the sway OF deep emotion
all the morning. began to sob. and cried
bitterly. Mr. Smith, counsel for the prisoner. then
opened his address. which lasted all the forenoon
and to nearly four O'Clock in the afternoon. Buch-
holz. during the course Of his counsel's speech.
kept his handkerchief to his eyes, which soon be-
came red with weeping. and during the most appeal.
ing passages he even buried his face in his hands
his whole frame apparently trembling with this
passionate outburst of outward grief and despair.
This I. affecting sight Of o human fellow being,
under the shadow Of a terrible doom, giving
way to his overpowering emotion was not
altogether without its effect upon the tender,
fair Bridgeport spectators who crowded the court
room. Many Of them were budding school girls who
had left their rcctaions to feast this sensational
trial. while others were mature. stately matrons.
who had forssken their household duties be pres
en ut the last exciting of the conviction
quittal. Mr.. Smiths argument contained few new
points and developed the same theory Of the de-
fence presented by Mr. Bolmann. and already fully
published III the HERALD Mr.. Smith wound up with
citing many horrible cases Of executions away
back to the time when murderers were broken on
the wheel, in which the innocence of the judicial
victims of circumsantial evidence subseq ueutly
clearly established. and conjured the jury not to
allow this innocent man to become another victim
to the schemes detectives and web Of circun-
stantial evidence. ''In the name of God and JUS
tice, the counsel begged. "do not convict this
Of murder If one reasonable doubt exists in your
minds, but find him guilty OF robbery, Of which
crime he is guilty" Buchholz still sobbing
bitterly his counsel concluded his address.
THE JUDGES CHARGE.
| Judge Park now delivered the charge, the jury
hn ikad Accf,
delivery the jury, however, after while dropping
by one into their seats. Buchholz bent his tear
his emotion while the Judge spoke or rather read.
Judge Park opened with the stereotyped glittering
to the lawyers, with dissertation on the solicitude
of the law for the innocent and it's merciless
verify upon the guilty. and on the necessity
of perfect impartiality the part of the
jury &C.. &c. After these rhetorical fourishes His
Honor came to preliminary narration Of the ott-
repeated circumstances OF the case and to an
hustive definition of the different classes murder
and manslaughter. His Honor read all this In
slow, somnolent manner from q thick notebook of
most formidable proportions, and pointed out that
under the law of this State no person could be
victed of a capital crime or murder in the first de-
gree unless be upon the testimony at least two
witnesses or what may be considered by the jury
being its equivalent. This having occupied about
three-quarters of hour His Honor took big drink
Of and proceeded with the deliberation
jury meanwhile tanning themselves assiduously.
tor 1t close and warm in the crowded court
room. The first point in the taken up by His
Honor was that of the name and he instructed the
Il.
given in the indictment to be merely the English
translation OF Johann II. Schultz and to mean one
ana the same person the variance was not fatal to
the validity Of the indictment. The Judge then
cited at great length numerous cases in which cir
cumstantial evidence had been considered sufficient
to convict the accused, and said it often produced
the very highest degree of moral certainty in the
minds Of the jury. His Honor gave the jury then
such aphorisms these In all cases crime
there is generally motive for its commission.
Coming at last to tho marrow of the lis Honor
told the jury tha he left 1t to them to say whether
/ a ted " hp lefe nee
was reasonable one. (By this time, His Honor
now having consumed one hour and half by his
reading. the jury had all collapsed into their seats
The conduct OF the accused in not running away. in
showing people to the scene Of the murder &c. the
Judge declared to be entirely consistent with the
theory of innocence. without giving any review of
the evidence or attempting even the fantest analysis
OF 1t the Judge sad:-"Ihis is the case. gentlemen
This is no place for sympathy or compassion, &c.
May God help you to do your duty"
RETIRis.
The charge concluded at half past five O'Clock
and the jury retired the various exhibits in the case
such the axe. Schultes clothes thelpocketbooks,
Buchholzs trousers &c, being sent out to the jury
room. There a general scampering away to
supper and Buchholz was removed to his evening
meal. This had the effect of thinning out the
audience considerably, but people evidently
more anxious to be III the court room when the
dict was brought in than to linger over their
suppers, and by half-past six O'Clock the court
room again Allied with spectators, the majority
OF whom were, as before. ladies. Buchholz was
brought In soon after looking fresh and hopeful.
and passed the time gancng over paper and chat
ting omngly with some OF his gentle sympat thzers.
look ut me- oh. what beau he isi The Bridge
port girls on being canvassed by one OF the repor-
ters were found to be unanimous for Buchholzs ac-
quittal, while the vast majority OF men stouty
for conviction. At eight o'clock IL was announced
that the jury had just ordered supper at which there
sudden stampede from the galleries.
Some OF the ladies had not been TO
supper at all. and after waiting patiently
Gil this time they weakened ut last and
went out for . sandwich and some oysters, while q
few, however. braved the psngs OF hunger and
noby stuck to their seats. "Its going to be all
night session." was whispered round The time
wore on. but the scene continued still so gay and
lively that few entering upon IL unprepared would
have believed IL the last of o murder trial
groups Of bright young girls laughing and gigging.
the prisoner himself TESTING and talking with the
utmost abandon. and not tinge of sadness or even
soberness on single countenancc. Occasionally
the loud laughter OF one OF the rustic damses who
was jesting with Buchholz would be heard all
the court room.
OUT.