Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-01-25
R1DENoUR ACQUITTED.
AN EXTRA INITIAL SAVES HIM FROM THE
uANGMAN.

| AN EXTRA INITIAL SAVES HIM FhoM Inn
HANGMAN.
The Ridenour trial was concluded at
Winchester on Friday Of last week, and
resulted in the acquttal Of the accused.
This case has attracted the attention Of
the people Of the Valley for over two
wears and no doubt all are glad 1t
is ended. Whether Ridenour be guilty or
not tie verdict will be favorably received,
for we all do not like to a see man hung,
especially on circumstantial evidence.
On Monday week the evidence was all
in, and Tuesday morning the time was
consumed in the argument Of the instruc-
tions asked for, thirty odd IN all. Mr..
T. w. Harrison opened the argument for
the prosecution and spoke for several
hours. At 8 O'Clock on Tuesday afternoon
Mr.. w X. Alexander commenced his ar
enment in behalf Of the prisoner. lie
spoke until 8 O'Clock when court ad-
iourned. He continued speaking during
Wednesdays session, and concluded his
argument on Thursday morning. Dir.
II. L. Byrd, the commonwealth attorney
then followed in a speech Of three hours
and a half All three gentlemen aqnitted
themselves in a most commendable man
ner. After the conclusion of Mr.. Byrd's
speech, Judge Clarke adjourned court
over until Friday morning, when the in
structions were given. After about an
hours absence in the jury room they sig
nified that they had arrived at an agree
ment. As they were ushered into the
court room the scene was dramatic
TO saw the least. The room was crowded
to access and anticipation was on tiptoe.
The prisoner sat on the bench where
twice before he had been judged guilty OF
murder in the first degree by his fellow
men. Again it seemed as if the same
scene would be enacted. At least every
spectator guided aud swayed by the YER
dict of former iuries in the case, expected
a verdict Of conviction.
The crowd hung breathess when the
formal questions were put to the foreman,
equity or not guilty 2" aud as he an
swered mot guilty." loud cheers arose
from the vast crowd assembled in the
court house The prisoner seemed be-
wildercd and for a moment he hestated
as to whether he was free or in the grasp
Of the eallows. Upon the judge dis
charging Rldenour crowds pressed near
him to congratulate HIM. When he
reached the door Of the court house he
appeared like bird that had been Gagged
for years and for a time he knew not
where to fy. The iailor invited him to
spend the night with him which invita-
ton he accepted. Several citizens of
Winchester gave him a suit of clothes, a
PAIR of shoes and a hat his wardrobe
being very deficient.
The meeting between Rldeneur aud his
aged mother was very affecting. She
danced all aronnd him with JOY, Rugged
and kissed him, and said "they would be
happy with each OF her STILL
Mr.. Alexander dined the jury on Friday
evening, after which the Union Cornet
Band serenaded them,
Ridenour vas charged with the murder
Of VIM A Broy. The alleged murder was
committed in the southern part of Fred
erick county in December, lsS6. kden-
our and Broy were intimate friends, and
the prosecution claimed that Ridenour
had murdered Broy as they were going
| through a dense wood, where the mu-
tilated body of the latter was discovered,
partly covered with leaves, by neighbor
In the first trial the jury was from Fred
erick county and Ridenour was convicted.
Tits verdict was set aside because letters
b ad been permitted to reach the jury
during the progress of the trial. The
second trial began in January, l-S1, and
con tinued nearly month. The jury was
/ from this county, and Rdenour was again
guilty. Another trial was secured for him
because the clerk in making up the papers
to 90 before Circuit Judge Turner had
put an extra initial in Broy's name. The
fury in the last trial which rendered n
verdict of acquittal was from Loudoun
county.
Thus has closed trial which has cost
the State several thousand dollars, leaving
the death Of young Broy as much mys-
terry as the day his body was found.