The daily gazette., 1879-06-20
Guilty Of Hanslaughter.
Lille Duer Sentenced to Pay $500
Fine for KiIling ElIa Mearn.

Snow HILL, Nd, June 10.-The jury
In the case of Lillian Ducr for the homi-
eide OF Ella Hearn came into court at
0.l5 this morning. The panel was call
ed, and in reply to the question of the
clerk the jury announced that they had
agreed upon verdict.
Granville Stokes, the foreman, When
called answered, "Guilfy of murder,
with recommendation to the mercy OF
the Court
Judge Wilson informed him that the
verdict must be formal, and the reply
must be "not guilty Of murder but guilty
of manslaughter."
The former answer was made, but be-
fore the clerk recorded the verdict Mr..
Crisfield, of the counsel for the defense,
demanded poll of the jury. The panel
was then called and the formal answer
OF "Guilty Of manslaughter'' was given
until the name of Edward F. Causey,
the eighth juror,was called. He answer
ed distinctly, "Not guilty." -....
That reply created sensation in
the court and appeared to afford relief
TO many in the Cour-House. Judge
Wilson then said as the jury had not
agreed they would again have to retire
to further consider. The jury then re-
tired to one of the jury rooms in the
Court-HOuse and subsequently to their
room At the hotel. d fnf
Lilly Duer occupied the same seat
within the bar where she has sat since
the trial began. She remained apparent
| ly calm but was suffering severe mental
emotion, and few tears trickled down
| hs.e <.I,. g. J,ss
da sat by her as they have since the trial
began. The jury notified the Court that
an agreement had been arrived al at Ito
=. M, and they were summoned into
court. After The panel had b, en- called
and in reply to the usual question, tie
jury answered that they had agre, and
the verdict was "not guilty OF murder
but guilty OF nanslaughter."
MIR. Purnell demanded the poll of the
jury and they answered az their foreman,
had answered. The Sheriff then took
charge Of the prisoner aud the Court took
a recess until o'clock.
AT 2 o'ciOck the court was call d and
though nothing was left but TO pronounce
the sentence of the court on the prisoner
number OF ladies occupied the gallery
and awaited the arrival of the prisoner
from her hotel. Messrs. Purnell and
Barnes of her counsel and Townsend for
the State being present. At 2.45 p. M,
judge Wilson asked counsel for the pris-
oner if she had anything to say why SEN
tence should not be pronounced against
her, TO which there was negative reply
Judge Wilson then addressed the priso-
ner, saying, "Lillian Du-r, you have
| haan triad hu iIrru of tim nd hf,n oI
men for one of the most heinOus oflenss-
known 10 the law, and they have found
you guilty of manslaughter.
In view of the fact that there is nj
stain upon your previous life the jury
has recommended you to the mercy u
the Court, and the Court is glad of IL
The law perhlits Imprisonment in tn,
penitentiary or the common Jail or TO q
maximum fine of $500. The Cour
will not sentence you 10 Imprisonment
but as the oflense was so grave a chxrac
ter the Court will impose the highest
fine which the law provides. The Cour
therefore sentences you to pay fine o
$500 and to and committed until thu
fine is paid.
Much dissatisfaction Is expressed will
the verdict of The jury, and many ladie
who censured the accused SO strongl
during the trial now express sympath
for the unfortunate girl and regret tina
the jury found her guilty at all. Mis-
Duer sat like statue while Judge VIII
son addressed her, and the only cmotio
visible was rapid contraction and re
Taxation of the muscles Of the face. Al
ter sentence the Sheriff took ch ,rge {
the prisoner, but she was not taken t
prison. Her friends will at once pay th
fine, when she will be discharged. On
of the jurors, after the rendition of tn
J verdicI, declared his belief in The innc
cence of the prisoner, aud another, job
! q. Ellis, while the jury was being pole
D answered, "Guiliy of murder but Nc
t guilty of manslaugbter." The mil
e take was not,noticed except.by one of I'll
5 jurors, who made an effort To correct hin
d but the next name was called and notl
Z ing was said about it.