The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-12-23
ACQUITTED.

| After a protracted trial the trial {
, Will Morris for murder has resulted in
verdict of acquittal. This has been on
of the most closely tried cases in til
q scrap of evidence attainable that ha
not been brought in. Nor has the de
Tense left means unused to explain thei
testimony away. The circumstances at
tending the murder and its unprovokeo
character made every one hope that he
| who committed the deed should be
brought to justice. But there was no
direct facts duplicating any one and so 3
chain had to be woven out of circum-
stances.
| The trial lasted eight full days, and
was frequently prolonged late into the
| night. Both parties remained on the
field on Sunday and work was begun
Monday morning at O'Clock.
The testimony did not differ much
from that on the preliminary examin alton.
A larger number of witnesses were exam
ined, Detective Barry was brought in
to court on the trial though he did not
appear on the examination. His testi
mony was riddled, however, by the at
torneys for the defense, showing that he
sought to blackmail Morris.
TIE state weaved the circumstances
together in such a manner as to raise
serious doubts at times as to what the
outcome would be. Many of the wit
nesses for the defense suffered under the
fire OF cross examination and the force
Of their testimony was badly broken.
All the evidence was taken at II A. NJ.
on Monday Of this week. Each side was
allowed four hours for the argument to
the jury, making eight hours in all. G.
G. Sedgwick had the opening for the
state. He was followed by Judge Kir-
wan and T.. j. Nash for the defense and
W. A. Walker closed. The Judges
charge occupied half an hour and the case
vas given to the jury after II o'clock
Monday night. Their verdict of Not
Guilty was given Tuesday afternoon.
Those who saw the attorneys in the
case at the close of the trial, say they
were completely worn out, having had
very little rest or sleep during the pro
gress of this long trial.
This ends the matter for the present
at least. 1t is possible that murder will
out in this case as in many others, but
not at all probable as the guilty person,
whoever he may be, had no accomplices
VIII Morris has had his trial and has
hoen acquitted. That ends the matter
- far as he is concerned.
Barry was placed in a most unenviablt
position, and was compelled to admit he
aad made many attempts to get money
out of Morris. He had parties to write
70 the attorneys for the defense Offering
to sail out and had sent persons to Morris
from Milwaukee with like propositions
It was believed he was in the neighbor
hood of the murder last spring but he
denies It. a young fellow from Eaton
named Rickaby was hired by detective
LAST spring to drive him about the neigh
borhood. But the person had assumed
SO many DISCUSSES that the boy was
unable to state positively that Barry was
the man.
The jury were out over IA hours. On
the first ballot they stood eleven for
acquittal and one for conviction, all the
subsequent ballots except the last were
ten for acquittal and two for conviction
They had given up all hopes Of an agree
ment among themselves. 1t is described
IS an unusually intelligent jury.
When the verdict Of mot Guilty" was
brought in Morris's stoicism gave way
and he burst into tears. He had shown
most remarkable nerve up to this time.
His friends wept and many of the jury
she'd tears. 1t is said by those present
to have been a most affecting sight.
Tuesday night the lawyers and such
persons az went from this place to hear
the closing arguments reached home.
No accused man ever had attorneys who
worked with more diligence or to better
purpose than did Messrs. Nash and
kirwan. And the prosecution was con
1ucted III most conscientious and en-
ergetic manner. The case has received
whot the public demanded-a thor
2ugh sitting.