Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-06-05
CLUVERIUs CONVIC TED.

Yesterday, the 26.h day of the Cluverius
trial, the court room was crowded to its ut
most capacity to hear the closing argument
of Mr.. Charles V. Meredith, who spoke for
nine hours. He concluded at $50 p. M,
and the case was given to the jury.
The jury took but one ballot. Eleven
voted for conviction and one HARRISON for
acquittal.
Every WE'LL" said Juror French, of Alex
| andria, 'let us send in our report to the
Judge in that form. You are willing to
take the responsibility for your opinion,
Mr.. Harrison, l suppose, and we are no
less So"
This was fine strategy to head off the man
from whom alone any Trouble was feared,
and it succeeded. Juror Harrison was will
ing TO be perverse, but he WAS not willing
to let the world know Of it. If one man
hangs this jury he said TO his associates on
the second day Of the trial, II want you tu
agree that you will keep his name secret !"
but they did not agree then nor thereafter
to any such thing. Mr.. French's remark
was a final announcement of their intention
to let the world know all aud it had an in
slant effect.
| "Hold on" said Harrison. Let US think"
"We have thought for FIVE weeks and we
know our proper verdict as we'll as you do"
"Well, perhaps you do. I'll change my
vote:"
At 9:25 clock City Sergeant Lee informed
Judge Atkins that the jury had agreed upon
their verdict. At $50 The jury filed into the
courtroom and took their seats.
Clerk Layton then put the question
| ''Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed
upon q verdict?"
Foreman Keppler replied that they had.
| The prisoner was then told to stand up,
which he did, looking straight ahead and
seemingly unmoved.
Gentlemen of the jury, what say you :?
Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty of the
! felony charged in the Indictment"
| Guilty" said Forman Keppler.
The prisoner sat down, but to all outward
appearance was as unmoved as at any time
since his arrest.
Judge Atkins asked the prisoners coun-
sci if they had any motion TO make, but
Judge Crump requested that the court be
| adjourned until to-day, so that they might
| have time to decide upon course of action.
1t is conceded by several members of the
| jury that the question of the ownership Of
the watch key, which was considered one
| of the most important points in the case,
| did not seriously enter into their consider
! alton in reaching verdict. There was a
disposition on the part of some Of the jurors
not to announce their verdict till to day.
The calmness of Cluverius when the ver-
dict of the jury was announced is the SUBJ
ject of general comment. During the alb
sence of the jury the prisoner remained in
bis seat chatting with one of his counsel
and CHANGING around the room at the i'm
mense throng of spectators. Just in his
rear stood u line of twelve policemen to pre-.
vent any disturbance when the verdict was
announced. Cluverius appeared to have
fortified himself for the worst, and when it
came iu the shape of verdict of guilty he
seemed almost prepared for it, After the
court adjourned the prisoner was carried
back to Jail in q hack. His brother, w. G.
Cluverius. who has lowered about him with
such tender devotion during all of his long
trial, accompanied him.
The senteuce of the court was not pro-
bounced upon the prisoner last night. His
counsel expect to submit motion to day
for new trial, and if it is not granted, the
rasa is expected to be carried to the Court
of Appeals.
The crime for which Thomas Judson Gu |
verius has been convicted is the murder of |
his second cousin, Fannie Lillian Madison |
The prosecution charged that he had seduc-
ed her, and fearing that the knowledge of
this intimacy would ipjure him with his
aunt, Mrs. Tunstall, from whom he had ex-
pectations, aud with the lady to whom he
was engaged, he persuaded Miss Madison to
go to Richmond on some pretext, and there
murdered her. She reached Richmond on
Friday morning, March Is, where, accord
ing to the testimony, she met the prisoner.
On the next morning her dead body was
found in the reservoir. A post.mortem ex-
animation showed that she would have be-
come mother in few weeks. Cluverius
was arrested and indicted, and his trial be.
gan May s. The evidence against the pris-
oner was wholly circumstantial
Mr., uar1o, Sc no11;,oJ;, 0h;o - |