Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-06-11
CLUvERIUS CONVICTED.
THE JURY FIND HIM GUILTY OF
MURDER In THE 1ST DEGREE.

THE JURY FIND HIM GUILTY OF
MURDER IN THE 1ST DEGREE.
Counsel for the Prosecution Over |
whelmed with CongratmIations-.I
Bouquets Showered Upon Them by |
the Ladies Of Richmond.
The murder of Miss Fanny Lillian
Madison, in Richmond, Va, last
March, caused unusual interest, far
and near, as perhaps no murder has
done for years past. The facts of the
case are thrilling and familiar to eve-
ry newspaper reader. Miss Madison
was of the family Of President James
Madison, and Thos. J. Cluverius, her
cousin, and accused murderer, was a
graduate of the Richmond Law Col
lege and u rising young man. Miss
Madison was teaching school near Mil
boro, Va, and in March came to
Richmond, supposed from evidenced
produced to meet Cluverius, her be-
trayer. Her remains were found in re-
servoir, few days after, in an unfre-
quented part of the city, horribly
butchered up with every indication Of
fierce struggle before her body was
cast into the reservoir. Suspicion
pointed to Cluverius and he was ar
rested and brought to trial for this
horrible deed.
Able counsel appeared on both sides
and with great interest and crowded
court-rooms, the twenty-sixth and last
day of the trial opened June 4th, with
an eager crowd to hear the closing
argument of Mr.. Charles v. Meredith,
chief prosecutor. AS the case drew to
a close and the decision of his fate be-
came the question of q few hours only,
the prisoner seemed to be more inn
pressed with his terrible position.
Mr.. Meredith began by compliment
ing and thanking the jury for their
patience and attention during their
long and trying confinement. He re-
ferred to the Instructions given by the
Court, and then read from authorities
showing that almost all evidence is
more or less circumstantial. Innocent
men, he said, have not only been sac
rificed on cireumstantial evidence, but
also on what is known in law as posi-
tive evidence. He explained the in
struction in detail, and then went on
to sum up and comment on the posi-
tions taken by the defence as to the
manner of the death of Lillian Madi-
son. He combated the theory of sui
eide, so strongly advocated by the de-
fence, aud said there was no doubt is
to its absurdity.
The case was then given to the jury
and they retired. During their absence
a squad of police filed into the court,
and was stationed in line immediate
| ly behind the prisoner. This precau-
tion was deemed necessary by the
Court to prevent any demonstration
in the event of verdict being arriv-
ed at. The court room was more
densely thronged than at any time
since tie beginning of the trial. An
immense crowd filled the hallway of
the building, and the street outside
the court room was almost impossible.
| A subdued hum of voices could be
heard throughout the court room, and
much speculation was INDUCED re-
garding the result of the jury's delib-
GRAFTON, sentiment being divided be-
tween q verdict of guilty and inabili-
ty of the jury to agree. Not one
seemed to believe in a verdict of ac-
quittal.
At 9:25 p. m. City Sergeant See in
low tone Informed Judge Atkins,
| that the jury had agreed and were
preparing their verdict. This was
soon known throughout tho court
room, and almost every eye was turn
ed on the prisoner who was sitting
quietly in his usual place near his
counsel. At 81 the jury filed into the
court room and took their seats. A
deadly stiffness prevailed the crowded
room. Clerk Layton polled the jury
and then put the question:
Gentlemen of the jury, have you
agreed upon verdict? p
Foreman Keppler replied that they
: had. The prisoner was then told to
stand up, which he did, looking
straight ahead and seemingly unmov'
ed.
i The Clerk asked: .Gentlemen Of
the jury, what say you; is the prison.
er guilty or not guilty of the felony
charged in the Indictment"
Foreman Keppler-Guilty.
The Clerk then took the indictment
and read the endorsement thereon
"We, the jury, find the prisoner
guilty of murder in the first degree
, as charged in the indictment"
> The prisoner then sat down, but tt
all outward appearance was as un
: moved as at any time since his arrest
Judge Atkins asked the prisoner
counsel If they had any motion Il
! make, but Judge Crump requested
that the court be adjourned until thu
next day, so that they mighthave tim,
: to decide upon course Of action. Thi
: WAS accorded, and the court. at l,
io'clock, adjourned until the next day
when, it is we'll understood, motiol
for new trial will be made.
!. The verdict Of the jury caused in
:. tense excitement, and was received al
: over the city with manifestations Q
8 delight. In the upper portions ladie
went from deor to door telling wha
Z !, was considered good news. Messrs
J Aylett and Meredith, tho lawyers ia
i the prosecution, we're overwhelme
i with congratulation. Both receive
! from ladies handsome baskets Of flow
ers, accompanied with cards hearin
the words, aThanks for your noble d
fence of tho dead Lillian. .
II A motion for new trial has bee
made, and there Is possibility of it bi