The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-05-31
Am Exciting TriaI.

One of the most exciting and interesting
trials that has occurred in this county for many
years was that of the State VS.. Mary Reynolds,
for grand larceny. which occupied the time of
the Court about two days at the close of the
term last week, and which resulted in the ac-
quittal of the accused The deep interest felt
in the result was evidenced by the large audi
ences with which the court room was packed
throughout the trial.
According to the evidence before the Court
and jury, Mary Reynolds was the victim of a
yillainous plot at robbery. The real party in
the crime if the evidence is to be believed, is
not yet apprehended. The poor girl who was
duped by this villain and made to suffer almost
two months wrongful imprisonment and over
whom there is still an Indictment pending,
threatening her liberty, again enjoys the pure
air of freedom. 1t is now the general senti-
ment and hope of the people that she may le-
main henceforth and forever free
What remarkable illustration of the fickle-
ness of popular sentiment. When Mary Rey-
noids was al raigned and committed TO prison,
and until she could have her trial to account
for the stolen goods of Mrs. Curtiss, she was
condemned by every tongue that spoke her
name. Small was the charity in her behalf
then. A few individuals of good standing,
Il
girl, expressed their surprise at the report and
could not believe her guilty. from their conf
dence in her integrity ana reliability. She WAS
stranger here ana had formed but few ac-
quaintances. but of one she formed whom she
should have summed as Il demon When she
was arrested with the stolen goods in her pos
session she was unable TO rebut this almost
conclusive proof Of her guilt. 1t w.s therefore
" fnr fbn lin to
Blu no sooner had the evidence on the par of
the State been concluded. in her trial than that
very sentiment which was So against her but
the ~ before, had com pieteiy changed its bear
ing IL her tdvol. and from that time until her
acqulttal By the jury. she had the sympathy OF
the large audiences that witnessed her tral and
there can he no doubt that she is generally be =
lIe7ed to be innocent. The evidence of the
State after excluding all that is incom mpetent
was by no mcaGs sufficient tn convict her of the
| crime. while her defense simply sustained the
| theory of her innocence. The oncnse was
| Grand Larceny, which, had she been found
guilty, would have sent her to the States prison
| for IA term of years.
The accused IS young woman twenty ght
years of age, aud has always sustained a good
| reputation. The testimony showed that she
had taught school from thirteen to fifteen terms
and served as hired girl In some OF the most
respectable families in this place and in Ashta.
bula county, where she formerly resided. She
was raised in Ashtabula county Her mothc,
died when she was an infant, and her father
who is still living, is poor man. She was thus
left without the care and influence of n loyinc
mother and a comfortable home She cam,
here last September, and during her residence
here made the acquaintance, by reason of hel
position, of the disreputable villain who had 81
overcome her by his willy ways that he won ne
affections. although he is married man 3,
repeatedly assuring her that he did not liyt
} with his wife. she consented to clope with him
and in this manner she received the stolel
property. believing. from his pretensions. ii