St. Paul daily globe., 1888-02-19
Murder in the First Degree Is
the Verdict Returned
by the Jury.
The Prisoner Breaks Down
and Falls Back in a Heap
in His Chair.
Scenes in the Court Room
When the Fateful Ver-
diet Is Received.
Erwin's Eloquent Plea Which,
Like the Last, Proves
Unayailing.

The trial of Peter Barrett, indicted
in company with his brother Timothy
for the murder of Thomas TOllefSOn, a
street car driver, came to an end at $50
last night, when Il verdict of guilty of
murder in the first degree was brought
in. At 7:15 the foreman of the jury
raped at the door of the jury room and
announced to Deputy Sheriff Lucker
that conclusion was reached. The
sheriff was notified and all the deputies
were summoned. Judge Lochren and
the attorneys on both sides were sent
for and arrived about an hour later.
1t was not generally known out
side of police and newspaper circles
that a Virdict had been reached, and,
in consequence, the court room did not
ill up rapidly. Old Mr.. Barrett walked
slowly into the room about s o'clock,
and, after standing near the door a few
moments. took a seat just inside the
railing. The city inspectors, that is,
those interested IN the trial. came in
soon after o'clock, and spent the
time talking with the attorneys. Frank
Barrett came in about fifteen minutes
after s, looking blue and downcast. He
dropped into the seat he has occupied
during the trial and seemed lost in
thought. At S:27 Judge Lochren en-
tered the court room. Deputy Sher-
IFS Rauen and Johnson followed.
and between them walked young
Peter Barrett, as smiling and
suave as ever. Apparently he did
not feel his position and smiled family
as he dropped into his old seat. Deputy
Sheriff Lucker called the court to order
and unlocked the door of the jury room.
Juryman Mills, who had been elected
the foreman, was the first to leave the
jury room. AS the twelve men went to
their seats each one cast look of pity
at Peter, who smiled SdrcaStically and
turned and whispered to his father,
who had just taken the seat beside him.
"Gentlemen of the jury. have you
agreed upon verdict asked Clerk
George Terrill.
I'VE have" came the response. and
Foreman Mills handed folded paper to
the clerk. Judge LOchren took the
paper. read it, and handed it back to
Mr.. Terrill, then turned to the jury and
said:
You will listen to your verdict as it
Is read Then Mr.. Terrili read:
FIRST DEGREE.
I'VE. the Jury. do find the prisoner
guilty of murder in the first degree, as
charged in the Indictment"
As the clerk reached the word
guilty" Peter raised his head with a
frightened look. Then he turned pale,
trembled violently. and dropping his
head upon his breast SObbed audibly. His
father leaned toward him and whispered
a few words, whereupOn Peter straight
ened up and tried to smile, but it was
hard work, and he gave it up as his
head fell again. Frank Barrett did not
move muscle, except to keep his eyes
fastened on County Attorney Davis.
As soon as the reading of the verdict
was finished Mr. Davis arose and asked
that the jury be pOlled. This was done,
and Mr. DOnahue, one of the prisoners
attorneys, asked that a stay be given,
so that they might put in a plea for
elemency on account of eXtenuat-
ing circumstances. Judge Loch-
ren said he would rather wait
until Mr.. Erwin was present. and so set
Thursday, March l, as the time for ar
guing the matter. After finishing up
this business Peter was taken back to
the jail again and court was adjourned.
County Attorney Davis and Assist
ant County Attorney JamiSon were
warmly congratulated by those present.
Judge LOchren discharged the jury, first
thanking them for the service they had
given. He would like to have them
come back next week, he said, but those
who wished to remain home for good
reasons might do so. Most of them
availed themselves of the offer, and,
after drawing their pay, left for home,
having been absent three weeks.