Omaha daily bee., 1885-03-16
ACQUITTED BY THEIR PEERS.
Lizzie Howard and John Thompson
BIODGTatGd From The Charge
Of Murder,
The Arguments in the Case-The
Verdict of the Jury.
SATURDAY MORNING SESSION.

Before a large and deeply interested
audience Mr.. Shields resumed his ad-
dress by showing the principle of law
which looks for a motive in estimating
the probability of g party's guilt.
Hers a motive Is not even claimed by
the state. Upon this point he spoke for
a few moments.
Counsel next examined the socalled dy-
ing declarations alleged to have been
made to one Hsmill, and said this was
the only testimony the state has by
which to show guilt, but that the state of
facts claimed by that statement of tho
witness was not true, and should not
guide the jury In forming their verdict.
Counsels theory wss that whatever
statements Nettie made to Hamill were
founded on Impressions made and re-
ceived from surrounding talk and sug
g~estions by outsiders about her while she
was in q state of mind that rendered her
unable to reason or know what she really
did or said, by reason of oplates, etc.
Council next took up the diagram of
the house and showedthst the interior of
the rooms bore out the testimony of
witnesses as tc the position of persons in
the house on the night OF the burning.
The evidence of witnesses as to the
moment of the deceased taking fire wrs
infinitely examined and resulted, coun-
sci claimed, In showing the physical and
mathematical imposslbillty of the accused
being burned by anybody on earth. That
deceased was burned by an accident.
the attorney. At II 20 q. M. counsel
closed his touching, pointed logical and
most creditable speech and
MR.. FELKER.
addressed the jury in behalf of the de-
PENDANT. his address was directed to the
point that all the testimony went to mega
tive even the appearance or probability of
accused's guilt. He grouped the testi-
mony and followed out this theory, and
at II m. the conrt having given the jury
the usual charge, ad journed to l 80 pm.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the reopening of court Mr.. Felker
resumed for the defense and closed his
speech at 2:30 p. m.
DIST. ATTORNEY ESTELLE
folio we'd in a forty minutes address
which grouped in a skillful manner the
points brought out In the testimony
favorable to the prosecution, and warned
the Jurors that the solemn duty dsvolv-
ing ON themwa no more unpleasant than
that upon the prosecuting officer. Mr..
Estelle stated In a manly way that perse-
cution was not prosecution and submitted
the cause which he had conducted with
credit to himIelf and justice to the people
and the accused.
NEVILLE
read an extended list Of instructions to
the jury which although strictly in &C.
cordance with the law. being clear and
learned, were Interpreted as favorable to
the accused.
Atter'sn absence of not more than thirty
minutes the bailiff announced the jury"
readiness to return to court, and were
ordered to be lead In. The accused were
In their accustomed Geats and looked
calmly at the twelve men who were about
to pass upon their lives, 1t might be. The
clerk asked the usual question, to which
the foreman responded, "We have
agreed" The call of the panel was or
dered, the foreman handed In a paper,
and the clerk read that the jury found
the accu.ed
NOT GUILTY.
AS the words fell from the clerks lips the
face OF Lizzie Howard frightened, but
Thompson moved not a muscle, until Mr..
Shields, their attorney, who had so faith,
fully and crsditably stood by them in the
dark hours of the trial, grasped his hand
Then he showed some sign of emotion,
while the entire audience In the rear Of
the court room broke into applause. The
court inquired if any other charges wer;
held against these persons, ard at the
answer "None, your honor" told them
to go forth free. The jury was composed
of the very best class of citizens; theil
duty was done; their verdict a rlghteoui
one.