The daily gazette., 1883-05-17
THOMPSON ACQUITTED.
THE KENTUCKY CONGRESS-
MAN GETS OFF.
SCENES IN THE COURT ROOM.
A Powerful Argument by Counsel for the
Defense-The Verdict Generally sus-
tanned BY the People.

HARRoDsBURG, KY, May 16.-The clos
ing scenes in the trial of Phil B. Thompson,
on an indictment for the murder of Walter
II. Davis, to-day, will not soon be forgotten
here. During the entire day crowds of men
remained in the Court House yard, sitting
In groups or lying upon the grass.
After the argument by Judge Denny for
the Commonwealth, Joseph G. Blackburn
proceeded with the summing up for the de-
fence. The widow of Walter II. Davis (the
man whose slayer was on trial) and her
mother and sister had previously eutered
| the court room and were provided with
seats in view Of the jury. They were dressed
In deep mourning and were heavily yelled.
| Several times during the argument for the
State, and once during the address of Sena-
tor voorhees,, the Court had to suppress the
applause.
PLEADING FOR THE ACCUSED.
A powerful appeal to the feelings of the
jury was made toward the close of Mr.,
BlackbuYn's three hours argument to day.
In the course OF his remarks be said: Gould
you have done otherwises Gould YOU, on
mee'iGg the man who had del tacbed his
Wilc, when she was by his act ia no con-
dition TO give or deny her consent; could
yCu, though jails gibbets and the tori urc OF
the rack were standing there before your
eyes ~ Again he said There is buG one
Thompso Is can be adjusted. 1t is tribu.
nal in which conscience sits on the bench.
It's Judgements are traced in blood 1t
has the sanction OF the law of humanity
wherever civilization prevails. IL is Gods
law, and you cannot reverse it," Mr.
Blackburn also stated with great effect that
to tEis hour The little daughter of Phil
Thompson had been kept in ignorance of
her mother disgrace and of her father be-
ing on trial fer his life. During the address
the Thompsons-father aud twin blothers-
were deeply affected.
As the time arrived when the verdict of
the jury was expected i'll the afternoon the
multitude increased within doors as well
as outside. Within the space allotted to The
Bar, in the court room, Phil Thompson sat
at a table with his attorney. On his left
was seated his twin brother, John B.
Thompson, and near by were his attorneys,
Joseph Blackburn, Judge Jacobs and Phil.
b. Thompson, Sr. A large number of the
people In the court room outside the bar en-
closure were standing on tiptoe in order to
get a glimpse of the accused as well as of
counsel and of the jury.
THE JURY RETIRE.
At 10 minutes before O'Clock the Jury re-
tired to deliberate Oh their verdict. At 4
O'Clock there was stir in the court room,
which indicated that the jury had agreed on
The accused had been occupied reading a
newspaper and inspecting a mail which had
just been delivered to him. At 10 minutes
past four the jury entered, when the Sheriff,
at the instance of the Court, proceeded to
call their names.
VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.
When each juror had answered to his
name the Court said -
Gentlemen, have you found verdict 9'
"We have" answered Foreman Over
street.
"What is it p"
awe find Phil Thompson"-here the fore
man paused a moment, and then added,
mot guilty"
Then the whole court room burst out in
one deafening cheer, which was continued
for several seconds, men standing, swinging
their hats and upsetting chairs When the
ceased men leaped over chairs and,
rushing over to Thompson, offered their
The crowds in the court
yard Joined in the shout and there was shak-
ing hands all around.