The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-19
CLEARED OF THB CHARGE
OF Numbering Her Child Only to
be Tried Twice More.
MRS. SHOOTS is NOT GUILTY
In the Minds Of tie Jury Impressive
Scene In the Court--Indictments
Awaiting Her in Two More
Cases OF Alleged Murder.


CAMBRIDGE, o., Dec. lS.-The Shoots
trial ended to-day. 1t has lasted for
fourteen days, and has been attended
throughout by great popular interest,
which: has not any time shown sign Of
abatement. The accused came here
under three indictments for murder,
each of them charging her with poisoning
of one of fher own children, to be tried
on the indictment charging the murder
of Carrie in July, 1887, which the State
had singled out us the strongest case;
and the general opinion over in Mus
kingum couRty that she Is guilty as
charged attended her coming. and per-
vaded the popular mind.
Prosecutor Winn resumed his argu.
ment for the State this morning and con-
cluded between 3 and 4 o'clock, He
hammeredaway withoutmuch eloquenCe
in his argument, but succeeded in deal
ing some heavy blows that seriously
damaged the defense. The young man
was evidently deeply Impressed with
the magnitude OF the case, and the re-
sponsi5ility Of the closing speech.
The accused was weeping in earnest
when Vim conciuded-reai, bitter,
binding tears; but the bahy stared
around with its big blue eyes, undis-
mayed by the crowd, untouched by its
mothers sobbing.
Amid a deep and solemn hush Judge
Campbell began the deliv. ry OF his
charge to the jury, reading il slowly and
impressively. The jury was especially
charged with regard TO expert testimony,
which the court characterized us ola low
order OF probability; aud also with ref
erence to the testimony OF Dr. Luther
Jackson. The charge oil the court on
the lacts required to be proven, aud the
nature OF the verdict, concluded US fol-
lows:
THE 5vDGE's CHARGE.
The state is not required to prove a
motive for the crime. Motive isn't an
element OF the crime. But the presence
or absence Of motive is matter which
you may rightfully take into considcra.
ton, in determining the question OF
guilt.
II you find the defendant guilty OF the
facts charged, it is your duty to find her
guilty Of murder in the first degree, and
SO to declare by your verdict.
But while this is your duty, under the
law; and while it is my duty so to in-
struct you, and while it is your duty to
receive the law as give it to you, yet,
in this respect, you may, after being
fully instructed as to your duty, il you
find the defendant guilty as charged,
render such verdict, US TO the degree OF
the crime, us your judgment and con-
science dictate.
NOT GUILTY.
The jury retired at 4 o'clock and was
only out an hour, but one ballot being
required to reach conclusion. The
court room was jammed us the jury re-
turned to the box. The accused took
her old seat, displaying no unusual anx-
iety. The foreman announced the ver-
dict, "not guilty." and all eyes turned to
the accused, who did not move nor
speak, wearing still the same look OF
misery that now seems studied, which
has marked her haggard face for days.
She returned presently to her cell and
ate the first hearty meal she has had for
two weeks, expressing herself afterward
very piously as thankful to the Lord for
saving her from this persecution, which
she had tried to bear rs meekly rs the
Savior bore His crown OF thorns. She
is still in custody under the other in
dictments for murder-they will not
likely ever c0me to trial, however, and
she will be returned to the Muskingum
county jail tomorrow. The verdict
meets with general approval, tho evil
dence, in the popular mind, not warrant
ing conviction,