The evening world., 1889-09-19

to which she was subjected by the black
eyed prosecutor. and 1t WINS stated by many
that her counsel had made n fatal mistake
and had taken n desperate chance when he
placed his client on the witness. stand.
1t was just IL o'clock when the court train
from Atlantic City arrived, an hour and forty
five minutes late.
The delay was caused by the fact that the
Somers Point train had been partially de-
rallied by an open switch, o~bstructing the
track.
The court room was crowded. but the large
assemblage of spectators were doomed to
disappointment, for Mrs. Hamilton sent word
down that she desired to waive an appear
ance. rs she was too badly prostratM from
the effects OF yesterdays excitement to
arPPSSar;~ o,ion from ,no oroo,, % ,o o
amount of opium which she had taken yee-
terday to sustain her during her ordeal had
set in, and to-day she is n nervous wreck.
Another noticeable thing was the absence
of all the actors who have hitherto played 30
important n part IN this domestic drama. as
neither Mr.. Hamilton, Edward Vollmer.
Mrs. Rupp. the proprietresS of Noll Cottage,
or Nurse Donnelly put in an appearance.
Not one of this quartet are in MAYS Landing.
and the female curiosity seekers looked and
gazed in vain.
The jury being in their seats, court was
promptly opened aud Capt. Perry began his
argument.
He said he hoped the jurors would frnme
their verdict according to the testimony, in
dependent OF newspaper reports or other in
huences.
He closely reviewed the circumstance
which led up to the assault and showed very
clearly that Mary Ann Donnelly, the nurse.
was the first aggressor and that she forced
Mrs. Hamilton to pick up the knife in self
defense.
Sbo had threatened TO XIII her mistress. she
was hot-tempered and frenzied with brandy
and she assalled Mrs. Hamilton with muir
derous intent,
Recess was called Mt 2. is o'clock.
- Call the jury" was the peremptory re-
quest of Judge Reed when he resumed ms
seat at the opening OF the afternoon session,
and u few minutes later he began his charge.
The whole matter hinges on the plea OF
self defense, " he said.
But when n deadly weapon is used in
self defense it materially alters the case"
tie continued in this vein, dwelling on the
fact hat the knife thrust was IA deadly one,
and the only way in which the nloa Of the
defense could possibly be tenRble was tina,
the blow was struck to rave tho defendants
llfe-that she was in imminent danger and
had to deal the deadly blow to save her OWL
life.
His charge was clearly against the prisoner.
He set, aside all the facts up 10 the cutting.
He Instructed the jhry to give the benefit
of any doubt AS to the character of the crime.
They might bring IN a verdict Of assault
and battery II they thought her knife thrust
was not malicious but II they viewed the
matter from the standpoint that she reached
around to stab the nurse, then there was ne
reason why they should not return n verdict
in accordance with the indictment.
The jury then filed ont OF the courtroom
in charge of Constable Sims.
At 3. Is the jury. returned and announced
verdict OF guilty as she stands indicted.
Mrs. Hamilton was led into the courtroom
by Sheriff Johnston, and when the foreman
of the Jury declared the verdict she fell in {
swoom on the reporters table.
1t was "A most dramatic scene. and brought
tears TO almost every eye in the court room.
She was sentenced to W. years IN STATE
prison.