Daily Republican., 1879-05-21
FIFTH EDITION
OiR COUNTY COURT.

AOamOn1tAOm 1fOoD tine COuft-1m0
scene In the Court Room.
Specially Reported for the Republican.
New CASTLE, May q.
Before going on with the murder
trial this morning Mr.. Lore, counsel for
the Bellevue Quarry Company, asked
for continuance in the thirty suits
brought by the employees Of the COM
pany for wages. The continuance was
asked for on the ground Of the absence
of a material witness.
VIM. 9. Spruauce applied for admis-
sion to the Bar Of Francis X. Messick.
The court appointed Messrs. Victor Du'
Pont, Jno. G. Patterson and Levi G.
Bird as a committee on examination.
The Demby Jury was brought in and
after they were seated the prisoners
were placed in the dock. twas well
understood before the court assembled
that the State had come to conclusion
that there would be nothing gained by
a continuance Of the case, and there
fore an abandonment on their part
would be the only alternative.
After the jury were called the Attor-
ney General stated to the Cour, that up
to the adjournment Of Court he had
then called and submitted for the con-
sideration OF the Court all the witnesses
who could prove material fact, as !
then believed in this case. Since that
time have been locking over very
carefully the testimony which was given
before the Grand Inquest and find
that could find nothing; when the
killing took place there was consider.
able excitement in the community.
At that time efforts were made to as
certain who the guilty parties were;
and since then subpoenaes have been
issued for all witnesses that could pos
sibly tell anything about the matter. |
have endeavored with my colleagues to
get from the witnesses all they knew
in relation to the charge. Having heard
all and having nothing further as to
any material fact am constrained that
| cannot in the discharge Of my duty
stand before the jury and ask for a
conviction of these men.
have net done this without nights
reflection, whatever may be the express
sion of opinion. | have, as your Hon
ers and all in the court room who has
listened attentively to the trial will
bear me out, done all tina. can be done,
and therefore | shall submit to the
rendition of a verdict of not guilty.
The court in reply stated that they
had come to the conclusion that in view
of the testimony given, there was no evil
dence given that would warrant the
jury in rendering verdict of guilty
in accordance with the law, upon which
the indictment was framed. The court
commended the Attorney General for
the able and satisfactory manner in
which he had conducted the case, say
ing "that all, under the circumstances,
that could be done was done by him
and done WELL"
He deplored for the sake of society
that the guilty persons could not be
brought to justice, and closed by order
ing the Clerk to take the verdict.
The verdict was taken. The prison.
ers looked upon the scene with that
same indifference that had character
lied their general bearing during the
past two days.
The Court turned to the prisoners
and before ordering them to be set at
liberty, said: Young men You have
been acquitted by the jury and you
stand before the public free of guilt.
But | think your situation is one that
will warrant me in warning you that
you should be very careful. You are
now starting out in life, and the ordeal
which you have passed through should
be reminder to you of the care you
should take in choosing your associ-
ates.
There is no doubt but what you were
somewhere in the neighborhood where
the assault was made on the fatal night
of the fifth of April, though you stand
entirely free from the charge Of being
one of the participants. | will not say
that you had narrow escape; but will
say that if you continue to hold associa-
ton with those who inhabit the vicinity
of the murder you will sooner or later be
drawn into the commission of some
crime and be brought into this court,
convicted, disgraced and ruined tor
life.
The effect will not only be upon your
selves, but you have great many
fir lends refined and delicate ladies, very
sensitive and sympathetic, who will
bear most deeply an overwhelming
sense of your shame. Their whole
happiness hangs upon this conclusion.
Your fate in life is in your own hands,
not only yours but the happiness Of
your families. May this be warning
to you. You are now at liberty.
The prisoners passed out Of the dock
and they were Immediately surrounded
by their friends, who in the most en-
phatic manner gave evidence Of the
excited state of feelings by hearty
congratulations. The counsel, Messrs.
Bird and Gray were also surrounded,
and for five or ten minutes hand-shakine
!, and congratulations were the order
Among those who grasped the hardest
were the prisoners and their parents
who were present and watched with
intent eagerness the whole process o.
the trial.
The defence had great number o
witnesses, many of whom were called
to prove the fact Of the prisoners being
on the Wilmington side of the
bridge up to five minutes after twelve
O'Clock, which would have relieved
them from the suspicion of being
among the assailants who were seen by
Messrs. Smith and Leonard.
They had also some of the best citi
/, zens of Wilmington to prove the goot
character of the prisoners.