Morning journal and courier., 1882-01-30
5ournal ano Gourier,
Monday Morning. Jan. 30. 1882.
The Riggs Murder Trial.

the eighth day, commenced on Saturday
 morning. The court room was filled at tbe
 opening of the court, those present being
 apparently deeply interested in the proceed
 ings Riggs, the accused, his wife, father
 and mother, all looked anxious
 Judge Sanford after the opening of the
 court proceeded to charge the jury. After
 referring to the length of the trial, and the
 able manner in which the counsel on both
 sides had presented their cases, he said that he
 thought that if 1t were not for the law it
 would be hardly necessary for him to address
 the jury. He cautioned them not to forget
 that the case was an important one; to the public they owed duty and theYgalso owed a duty to the prisoner to see that no injustice was done him. Judge Sanford next called at tention to the law upon murder, first taking the nature of the crime. The accused was charged with the wilful murder of Rollin s. Bunnel and in rendering their decision the jury had four verdicts which they could bring in-murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, nlanslaughter or not guilty. l Murder within th;e law is defined as the kill ing with malice aforethought by person in sound mind The term 'smalice' was next defined by the court as an expression of ha- ] tired and i'll will against person. There was expressed malice' and ''implied malice. D | The former is necessary for murder in the | first degree and implied malice is necessary 1 for murder in the second degree. Judge ! Sanford next read from the General Statutes defining murder in both the first and second degree.
 At twenty minutes past II Judge Sanford concluded his charge and the jury retired to 1 their room for deliberation. The first half | hour of their absence was followed by the | hum of voices in the court room. There ! were present few ladies, and any number of youthful lawyers. Several law students I were also present, who whiled away the time l in perusing law-books. The prisoner, Riggs | sat very passively by the side of his wife. One elbow rested on the arm of his chair, while his hand somewhat concealed his fea- l lures, as it was held almost constantly over 1 his eyes. In the other hand was red cot | ton handkerchief, with which he occasionally l wiped away the big beads of precipitation that occasionally covered his brow. He was very pale, even more so than usual, but his l features betrayed no anxiety and save the constant motion of his foot, which, as 1t was | crossed over his leg, swayed back and forth, | the man charged with the murder of Rollin s. Bunnell, and waiting for verdict that l might send him to the gallows, looked as if he had no interest in anything going on. Three minutes before 8 o'clock rap on l the door of the jury room caused stir in l the court room. Sheriff Byxbee opened the door and the members of the jury came out I and took their seats. Judge Sanford end the i counsel were in their places almost at the 1 same moment. .sCall the jury" said Judge | Sanford to the clerk. This was done "Gentlemen of the jury" said the clerk ''have you agreed upon a verdict?'' ''We have not" replied the foreman, Mr.
 D. s. Glenny, of this city, with much en- | phasis.
 'Ts there" continued the judge, 'sany rea- 1 sonable prospect of your coming to an agree | ment-"
 l 'There is not" replied the foreman, still more emphatically.
 ''In case you consider the matter further ?'' 1 said the judge, finishing the sentence. ''I think not, was Mr. Glenny's answer. 'T think, gentlemen of the jury, "s said Judge 1 Sanford, s'that you should be able to come to some agreement. This case has been very fully and fairly tried, and think you are as competent to pass upon it as any jury would be. Still, don't want to detain you unrea- able probability of your being able to come to conclusion, think you should continue
 your deliberations 'T feel warranted D said the foreman, ''in
 saying that there is no possibility of our agree ing upon a verdict"
 'sIs that the opinion of all of you 2" in
 quired the judge, evidently 10th to discharge
 the jury despite the emphatic assurance of | the foreman. s'I should like to hear an ex-
 pression of opinios from any of you.'' T think" said Juror s. C.. Davidson, of Bethany, after 8 moments silence, ''that it | might be we'll to consider further"
 ''Very well, gentlemen" said the court.
 evidently much relieved, ''you may again retire'
 The jury went back to their room. The counsel for the defense thought no agreement would be reached.
 At $50 the jury again reported disagree
 ment, but said there was probability of an l ultimate agreement.
 About o'clock the jury asked for and ob-
 tained recess, after reporting that there
 was possibility of their ultimately coming
 to an agreement. The recess was devoted to devouring innumerable ham, turkey and beef sandwiches, accompanied by several kinds of pie, and washed down with gallons of tea l and coffee, after which they once more re- tired for further deliberations, and specula- tions as to the final result were heard on all | sides While some thought that the jury l would still agree to disagree, others consid-
 cred that verdict would be reached It was just five minutes of five o'clock l when knock on the jurors' door told that they were ready to once more report Judge Sanford assumed his seat and the jury's names were called. Clerk Anketell
 solemnly inquired if the jury had agreed up- on verdict.
 Foreman Glenny answered, :sWe have.n Clerk Anketell-Gentlemen of the jury, look upon the prisoner at the bar. Is he
 guilty or is he not guilty?
 As the eyes of the twelve jurymen rested ] upon Charles s. Riggs, Foreman GIenny, in 8 clear slow voice that could be heard in all portions of the room answered.
 "He is guilty of murder in the second de- gree"
 r Clerk Anketell--'' e entlemen of the jury,
 look upon the prisoner. Prisoner, look upon
 the jury. Gentlemen of the jury, listen to your oath as it stands recorded. You have found Charles s. Riggs guilty of murder in
 the second degree" While the clerk announced the verdict the
 prisoner stood up motionless with bowed
 head. He then resumed his seat without
 changing muscle
 Judge Sanford told the jury that they were
 excused until Tuesday morning. MT. Will
 Hams immediately gave notice that he should
 move for new trial. By law he has ten
 days to perfect the motion, and within that
 time. the prisoner must also be sentenced. Under the verdict the sentence can only be
 Imprisonment for life.
 The State attorney did not move for an immediate sentence, and Judge Sanford gave no intimation as to the time when he should pronounce it. The improper admissibility of
 evidence is the ground upon which Q new
 trial will be asked. An affecting scene followed the announce
 ment of the verdict. Riggs dropped back
 in his chair after hearing it without being
 visibly moved, but to his wife it was plainly
 a cruel blow. She struggled against her
 feelings for a moment and then broke down
 into fit of weeping. She hastened out of
 the court room in the hope, apparently, of
 mastering her emotions, but in two three
 minutes returned, still in tears. In pursuit
 of as much retirement was possible under
 the circumstances her husband led her into
 the prisoners dock and tried to console her.
 He still maintained his calmness, but it was
 plainly by strong effort. His wife's mani
 festations of grief increased in spite of his
 encouraging words. She sobbed violently
 and without reserve. They were in
 the dock together two or three min
 utes, and when they returned to the floor
 of the court room the wife was still in an abandon of despair. She embraced her hus-
 band kissed him, and with her arms about his neck sobbed on his breast in @ heart broken manner Riggs kissed her tenderly, and after her emotion had in a measure sub- sided shook hands with her, and then with his son and his father. In charge of Con- stable Colwell he was then conveyed from the court room to the jail.
 Riggs aged mother also shed tears freely