The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-31

Yesterday morning, at an early hour,
the jury in the case Of the State against
w. o. Hedrick made known to the Sheriff
that they considered OF, and had agreed
upon their verdict.
The fact was communicated TO Judge
DuBose, who ordered the jury in court
and had the verdict read 10 the gratif.
cation Of many, and the surprise OF a few,
the verdict, when read, proved TO be one
OF acquittal, and Mr.. Hedrick was pro-
nounced free and blameless man.
There was considerable applause in the
audience, which was frowned upon and
silenced by the court. The prisoner, for
the first time since the trial began. was
visibiy moved, and when the announce
ment was made tears came into his eyes
and his voice was tremulous. The news
soon spread. People in all parts OF tho
city were anxiously waiting, and the tele-
phones were kept busy About the first
to receive the glad tidngs was Mrs. He'd
rick, wife OF the accused. who lives in
Chelsea. She Immediately sent for her
husband by messenger and had him has
ten home, where he arrived at IL o'clock
| in the morning.
Ed Corconn, brother OF Tom Cor
| coran, deceased, was in the courthouse nj
an early hour. lie was in the Office Of
| Attorney-Gcneral Peters when the YER
| diet was announced. lie did not hear
the reading OF the verdict, but the fact
was communicated TO him where he sat
lie arose and left the room without saying
q word.
1t is only fair to say tina, the majority OF
| people anticipated and expected verdict
OF acquittal. When the facts were known
and thoroughly discussed II was generally
understood and believed that verdict OF
acquiital was inevitable. There were
some, OF course, who thought differently.
On all questions OF moment opinions will
diller, and among those who thought that
different verdict should have been rem
dcrod is the editor OF the Catholic Journal
of he Aog South, who says editorially in
his issue Of Saturday, June !, just from
the press: nan,
killing OF Tom Corcoran terminated In the
| Criminal Court on Thursday morning by
q verdict OF acquittal. Ii is certainly q
mystery how the twelve good men and
true could. arrive at such q conclusion
when dozen reputable witnesses sworc
| positively that COrcOran was walking away
with his hands by his side when lledrick
took aim and shot him three times II
must not be forgotten that this man He'd
rick was only citizen, not an officer.
when hc killed Corcoran. Ito intericrcd
| In quarrel that in no wiso concerned
| him, aud the result was the death Of Cor
cOrun. Such verdicts rs in the above case
| Justly bring ridiculo on the name Of JUS
ticc and show 10 the world that law in the
Taxing District Is mn unqualified farce.
Hereafter policemen may use their weap.
ong with perfect freedom and utilize the
bodies Of citizcns NJ targets"
There are others who think as does the
editor Of the Journal, but they arc in tho
minority,
When the result Of the trial set llcdrick
free, Chief DAVIS voluntarily offered the
cx-prisonor one months vacation In order
that no might Tccupcralc after the tax OF
his long confinement, kindness which
WIS gladly accepted Mr.. Hclrick will
resume his duties aB special police officer
at the end of his vacation.
One interesting feature vi the trial IN tho
inct-which has been concealed by the
press until today. for fear Of pfeiudicing
the case and that Is that each mnn on
the Jury was either an eX.COniodcraic ur
the son OF an OK. Confederate; the dc.
| ceased, Corcornu, was the son OF an cX'
Confederate, Willie the accused, lledrick
was the son Of an cx.Union officer. There
WAS no partisan iosling In the case, how
ever.