, 1888-03-29
A LONG SEIGE.
The Patterson Jury Discharged
Yesterday.
Unable TO Find a Verdict in
Eighty-0ne Hours.
The Prisoner Ayers that He An
tiCipated ACquittaI.

After balloting, %wrangling, debating
and celebrating for eighty-one hours the
Patterson jury failed to agree. The last
vote taken was seven for conviction for
murder in the first degree and five for ac-
quittal. Subjoined is a list of the persis-
tent dozen: D. E. Rich, foreman; Sam
uel Shamp, W. +. Garvin, George Ben
ton, Frank Dana, Jos. Sladek, l.. Smith,
Jr., f, L. 4Lapash, John D. Gill, A. II.
Marsh, Michael Reed, Earnest Logan.
The task Of securing a jury in the Pat
terson case was commenced the 14th in
slant, and the first witness for the terri.
tory IA placed upon the stand the fol-
lowing day. Much time was occupied in
the examination and cross questioning of
the experts summoned, and two days
we're lost In awaiting the arrival of wit
nesses residing beyond the jurisdiction of
the court. On the whole the case was
finished as expeditiously as possible.
This fact is due in a large measure to
Judge Maginnis, who continually frowns
upon dilatory methods aud will not brook
delay. At the same time counsel for both
the accused and commonwealth sought to
hasten matters.
The Jury retired.a few minutes before
II o'clock last Saturday and struggled
with the judges charge, remnants OF the
able arguments made by the attorneys,
fragments of the evidence and their W
consciences until 9 o'clock yesterday
morning. At that hour Judge Maginnis
ordered the prisoner to be brought into
the court room and called for the jury.
Patterson, laboring under great excite
ment, was accompanied by his fearful
wife, who between her sobs whispered
words OF encouragement to the detected
accused. The alleged murderer has aged
since Prosecuting Attorney Stoll made
his brilliant closing argument to the jury.
He was rale, nervous and his eyes wan
dered about the room as do the orbits of
a miserable captive animal searching in
vain for some avenue of escape. His
ordeal had been a trying one, and it is
little wonder hat he felt -disconsolate at
the very hour hat the star of hope ap-
peared above the horizon, unobscured by
the cloud of utter despair. After all, the
mans self control was something remark.
able, but ones feelings become obtuse
after a s%oiourn under the shadow or the
gallows.
Gentlemen said Judge Maginnis,
addressing the jurors, have you agreed
upon a verdict?'
mo sir" vas the prompt response
which fell from the lips of several OF the
faithful.
His honor then formally relieved the
gentlemen from further service. In dis
charging the jury he expressed regret
over their inability to agree ana spoke in
complimentary terms of then exemplary
conduct. He believed that the gentle
men had acted in good faith and hoped
that none would have cause to regret any
action in connection with the affair. The
right of a citizen to Judge for himself in
these matters was an inalienable preroga-
tive and free agency was to be encour-
aged. The grave importance of the case
and the enormous expense attendant
upon the trial hal impelled his honor to
keep the Jury in retirement for an ex-
tended period. If any had suffered by
the confinement the injury inflicted was
not purposely imposed, but had been de-
manded in the interests of law and order
and the welfare of the community in
general.
The jurors rushed from the court house
pell nell, glanced over the files of the
daily papers, inquired the news and re-
sumed acquaintaneship with their fami
lies.
Patterson declared that he was both
astonished and disappointed over the re-
suit, stating that he had confidently ex-
pected an acquittal. He seemed in pretty
good spirits yesterday afternoon, how.
ever.
The case will be tried again so soon as
possible.