The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1881-11-04
SECOND EDITION
The Elkton Murder Trial.
AcqutttaI of the PrisOner-Dramat-
fc Scene an COurt-Tears and Con.
gratulatiOMs.

AcquittaI of tho PrisOner-Dramat-
fe Scene an COurt-Fears and Con.
gratulatiOns.
ELKToN, Nov. 3.--The trial of VIM.
j. Arrants, accused Of the murder OF
Nicholas Voelcker, on the 9th of last
September, which was bsgun here,
before Judges Stump and Wickes, on
Monday, was concluded to-day, the
jury finding a verdict of not guilty.
The small and badly-ventilated courts
room was again packed with specta-
tors. The prisoner looked fresh and
animated. His bright and pretty little
girl sat on his knee and attracted a
great deal of attention. The patient
and long-suffering jury presented a
sleepy and worn out appearance.
Mr.. John E. Wilson, counsel for the
defense, after carefully reviewing the
testimony, argued that there was not
a particle of evidence connecting the
prisoner with the crime. He warned
the jury not to form their judgments
hastily, as they had the life of fel~
low-being in their hands. Mr.. Wilson
dwelt at length upon the instability
of circumstantial evidence. The links
of the chain must be complete, and If
it is not, then the prisoner must have
the benefit of the doubt. He closed
his argument with a touching appeal
to the jury, having spoken forty five
minutes.
Mr.. VIM. s. Evans closed the argu.
meat for the defense. He character
lied the case as being utterly barren
of any evidence inculpating the pris-
oner. During an experience at tho bar
of eleven years he had never known of
so weak case as this was. 1t was,
he said, possible that Vcslcker had
1uarreled with Ullery and met his
death at his hands. Mr.. Evans read
many authorities, and spoke one hour
and thirty minutes.
MIR. Crothers, States attorney, made
closing argument for the prosecution.
He spoke one hour and forty minutes.
The case wss then given to the jury,
and at Las P. NJ, after receiving in
structions from the court as to the form
of wording their verdict, whatever it
might be, they retired.
The prisoner sat perfectly unmoved
during Mr.. Crother's speech and the
charge by Judge Wickes, but weakened
perceptibly while the jury WAS delber-
ating. During the entire trial he has
proved himself man of Berve. His
sister, who sat near him, wept during
the clo'ing part of the Stata's attorneys
speech. AT five minutes past two
O'Clock There was stir in the courtroom
and a moment after the jury filed slowly
in. The clerk directed the prisoner to
stand and hold up his right hand. Then,
addressing the foreman of the jury, he
said what say you, gentlemen of the
jury, is VIM. j. Arrants guilty of the
matter whereof he stands indicted, or
not guilty?" As the foreman slowly
answered "Not guilty" there was hush
throughout tie re ON, which was broken
by cry of joy from the prisoners sister
| as she threw her aims about her broth
| er's neck while the tears rained down
her cheeks. The prisoner himself was
deeply affected and wept.
his mother and wife, who had been
| out Of the room, had been informed of
the verdict, and at this moment they
entered, aud the latter, with extended
arms, advanced towards her husband,
crying ooh, Will, oh, WILL" Her
strength, however, failed her before she
reached him, I'D she would have fallen
to the floor had not bystander sup
ported her to a chair. She sank upon
it In a half faintlng condition, all the
tune repeating her husbands name.
Restoratives were applied, and shortly
afterwards she recovered. In the mean
time, while the wife was surrounded by
a crowd of anxious friends, the mother
OF the prisoner had reached him, aud,
with his sister, lay weeping and rejoic-
| ing upon his shoulder. Round and
about them stood friends, male and fe-
male, using their handkerchiefs freely.
| The scene was a remarkable one, such
as is rarely witnessed in court of jus.
tica. The court was yet in session, but
no check Yves put upon the free express
ion of feeling. After time the prison.
er's kinspeople and friends became calm,
and these, with Arrants, now free
man, set out for their various homes in
| Elk Neck Arrants will be compelled
to start life anew, as he sold everything
he had (some live stock and farming
implements) in order TO pay his counsel
fees.