Evening journal., 1889-11-25
WILLIAMS MUST HANG.
CONVICTED OF TIE MURDER or
WALTER &. WRIGHT.

WALTER e. WRIGHT.
The Jury Deliberates But Two and n
Half Hours-sIotion for a New Trial.
Superior Court Convenes- Twenty
Gases for Trial.
At Saturday afternoons session OF the |
Court of Oyer and Tsrminer the closing |
arguments in the case of George II. |
Williams oolored, on trial for the muir
der of Walter II. Wright, ON the evening |
Of June IL, last, were delivered. Henry |
G. Conrad, Esq, spoke for the defence |
and Attorney-General John Bggs for the
state Mr.. Biggs concluded at 455
o'clock and court Immediately adjourned
until this morning.
The jury spent yesterday in their rooms
in the third story of the Court House. It
was tiresome day for them. They had
plenty to eat, but were not allowed out
Of their room. The only reading matter
allowed them was the Bible. and the laws
of Moses were well studied by some Of the
jurymen.
Charge OF the Chief Justice.
Csurt reoonvened at 8 o'clock this
morning and at 9.35 o'clock Chief Justice
Comegys began his charge to the jury.
He warned the jury not to allow any pre-
judice against a colored man to affect
theiI consideration OF the case. The facts
Of the shooting were briefly re-
viewed. The first question for
the jury to decide was whether the
prisoner is the man who killed Walter q.
Wright Then, If SO, whether he is guilty
of murder in the first or second degree,
I ~T. Eel
The evidence for the state for the
Identification Of the prisoner
was concisely reviewed, particular
attention being paid to the witnesses
Malony and Vincent. The testimony for
the defence was also fairly reviewed.
! No comment whatever was made on the
evidence. The jury were told that if they
! believed the prisoner the man who shot
1 Wright they must decide the degree OF
the crime. If the shooting was in self
defence he should be acquitted. A clear
explanation of the degrees of murder and
manslaughter was given.
The charge was remarkably fair and
| impartial and the chief justice was forty
minutes in delivering IT, The jury re
tired at 10, 10 oclock III charge Of Bailif
Rainey.
Guilty as Indicted.
At 12.45 o'clock the jury came in, hav-
| ing been out but two and half hours
Gentlemen, have You agreed upon
/ verdict2' asked Clerk Cochran.
eve have, was the reply
"Who shall answer for you"
''The foreman.
"What say you Mr. Foreman, do you
/ find the prisoner at the bar guilty in
manner and form as he stands indicted,
or not guilty
Every ear was strained for the an
swer
1--WE find him guilty in manner and
form as he stands indicted.
The Indictment charged murder in the
FIRST degree, and this verdict meant that
the prisoner must die Every eye was
| turned to the box The prisoner
sat with his chin on his hand looking
reAectively at the judges. In no way
did he indicate his feelings. Not q
muscle of his swarthy face moved and
his expression was as stolid as it has
been al through the trial.
"Poll the jury" said Mr.. Conrad, the
prisoners senior counsel.
The name of each juryman was called
and he was asked rs that your verdict?
Each answered "Yes sir. D."
"Gentlenan Of the jury, harken to
yodr verdict, said the clerk. Then he
repeated it, ending with and SO say all OF
you.
Mr. Conrad gave notice that at the
proper time he would make motion for
a new trial.
The jury were discharged, and George
II. Williams left the box for the court
house cells, a doomed man. the black
tipstave before him and the red one
behind.
The verdict was surprise. No one
expected it to be so severe. The state
and defence looked for a verdict of mur-
der in the second degree or manslaughter.
The jury evidently spent most of yesterday
in discussing the evidence and arriving
at a conclusion. They took but two bal
lots after retiring The first stood eleven
for conviction and one for acquittal The
second ballot was unanimous for con.
viction.
Superior Court.
At 1915 o'clock the Superior Court
was opened.
Messrs. Lore, Constable, Gray and
Massey had some conversation in regard
to the PRrvis case, but no motion was
made with regard to It,
George V. Massey, Esq, read petit
tion of Isaac Truax, setting forth certain
circumstances in regard to Sheriif's
SALE He had bought farm
in Blackbird hundred, understanding
that there was no encumbrance upon it.
| He afterwards learned that there was q
mortgage Of So, 800 on the farm. Mr.
Massey asked that a rule be made tC
show cause why the petitioner should
be relieved from forfeiting the
percentage paid TO the sheriff on the
amount of the sale.
The case of Annie r. Biddle vs.. P, W.
& B. r. R. R has been settled by giving
judgment for plaintiff for 81, 500 The
3 plaintiff is child and judgment was
Z confessed to her mother, who is hel
: guardian.
Criminal Cases.
William McGinness was indicted foi
highway robbery on Charles H. Clark
He pleaded not guilty, and Thomas Hol-
{ omb was assigned to defend him.
Levi Taylor, a very small colored boy
was tried for placing distractions on the
track of the railroad be
I tween Newark and Delaware City.
: He had confessed, but the state did
not want to send him to prison. A jury
was drawn and the state declined to oifel