Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-03-06
LEOoNEY SET FREE.
The Jury Declares HniHi Innocent OF
Iais NIece,s Brutal Murder


Jenkins occupied the day in his open
ing address to the jury, summing up for
the State.
CAMDEN, ". j., Fsb. 27--For FIVE hours
to day ex-Jndge David J.. Panooast sd-
dreaBcd tho jury in bahalf Of Ohaskiey
Lsconey, WHO as free aud innocent nan
will SOON go back TO his little farm in
Delaware township, where ha has lived
peaceful and happy life these many years
or atone FOR the atrocicus murder of
Annie Leooney, his niece, with which he
Glands chnvGel.
Yesterday va, the 2lst day Of Gsmden's
sensational murder trial, which is nov
rapidly nearing an end--sn end which is
looked for with an eager interest. AS
usual, tho court room Tas packed from
The bar ratings to the doors, end OF none
ct the two ecora sessions of the trial has
more Intelligent and r0tiaef looking
body of spectators filled tho big room
Than that OF yesterday morning. Among
ihem were many OF Chaikley Laconey's
friends and neighhors, attracted hither to
hnnr oioqqen, words in defence Of the
accused iusn-woris thst were to have
weight with the jury III whose hands lay
the prisoners life. AT least one-third OF
the spectators were ladies, friends OF
both the murdered girl and the accused
uncle.
C eat crowds stood out on Sixth street
10 catch q tleetiag glance OF the some
what celebrated prisoner as Sheriff David
Jairl escorted him from the Jail to the
court heGso, In the crowd the prisoner
obsetv 4 number of acquRintaacea, to
whom L0 nodded pleasantly and touched
hiE hat. At 10 o'clock he took his &C.
cua,pned place between white-haired
James Laconcy, his brother, on he LETT
and the mourning clad mother oithe dead
Ritl on his right.
The uauai preiiminaries incident TO the
opening OF ccnrt were gone through with,
when Lawyer PancoRst, who u9ed to oc-
cupy the Judicial bench now adorned by
Judge Hueg. beRgn his argument for the
ief4EGe. At the start he reminded the
jury that the prisoner ia considered limo
cert rptis he is proven entity, md shat
the presumption OF innocence should be
upou their minls Judge Pancoast then
went on to argue points III contradiction
TO :he state'a theory of the crime. The
dsftndnnC4 aga and The Violations existing
between him and tha murdered girl
pointea toward tho prisoners inncoence.
AGnie Lecoroy was strong, muacular
gill, AMI Chalkey I!econey comp aratively
1NEbAp lam iilitDii htAA t'ilB 10 NA ia-oASh'
tIuq TINT lie could not have mastered the
eiyl il he had attempted TO. Lawyer
pancoast thon wen. on TO prove The the DRY
of tho defence, thnt there was more than
one man who Ind @ hand in the murder.
ilhe-a wns robbery, and Annie Leooney,
while protecting tho property, was killed,
moi with the kni.G found by her side, but
with razor, first being strargled ~ the
marks ehGus the mouth and neck showed.
Az nig counsel mnIe some strong point in
his fayCg or dwsit 81 length on the sad cir.
cuR,stRncas surrounding the crime the
prisoner would press his handkerchief tc
his eyes and weep,
Jutge Pancosst will be followed TO.
morrow " Samuel Fl. Grey, who will
occupy tho rest OF the day ia summing
NJ the argument for tho defence. AS
s,Staut Prosecutor Richard s. Jenkins
viii copciuae the final argument for the
stnte, wh!ch vii! probably consume all o.
Saturday. Jrdgo Garrison will deliver
his charge tc tho Jury on Monday, and IL
tho afternoon tho case will be placed in
their hands for deliberation.
..
CLmnEN, N. j., Feb. 28 There was tn,
usual large crowd present when cour
opened ut 10 o'clock this morning, whei
Stx Judge Paneoast, who occupied all thu
'p.eyioH5 day Ia Arguing for the defence
again took he floor and contln ed his Rd
drHas on the prisoners behalf. He re
vlcwed the testimony Mt great length
pointing out evidence that he declared q
DO entirely contrary to the theory ad
vance, 'tr tha STATE. Ga the table az h.
side was big stack of law books. from
which evary now and then he would pie
one ready marked md read an abstract t
fortIfy INC dc ence's position. The alb
sprGs OF fight he said, was strong poin
In favor OF the prisoners Innocence, an
the aatute lawyer quoted legal writer's
n The absence OF any motive for tn
commission of tho crime and the de
fendnrt's voluntary surrender yer
among other points on which he laid cor
siderable stress. In speaking OF the dam
clothes found IN Laropey's room, he sal
taut tLero was no effort made whatever
conceal them, aud that was another evl
t.enee Of ths datfniant's Innocence, becauS
I.ec0Eey vas Eaffeatly aware that tho
ouch search was being made by the state
officers for evidence with which to taste
tho crime nnon the murderer. Judge Par
coast quoted learned jlrists regarding tn
weight that evidence OF good character o
the part OF tho dsleudant should have upo
the case, ana stated that the Jury was Just
lei n utterly disteg4rdiIg the testimon
OF uehk-minded Billy Saith and Care
AiurrGy, vino, after being made prisoner
eoncoGtel the story thar implicate
Chalkley Ilaeouey IN the crime.
IL was hard y espected that Judge Pa
c0Hst YVES TO consume tho eaire day In b
argument, but suca was the cass, and 1t
not tkely that the case will go before Ii
jlry much before Tuesday next. Ex-Pro
eautor Richard g. jenkins will take Il
greater portion Of Monday In tho final sun
nairp up for the commonwealth, and in
tlcs Garrison cnBtge 20 the llty Will folio
on Tu8Ftay, when they wilt rottre tor d
liberation.
PaluApELpuIA, March 3.-"I won
rRshur die than no through another tri
ilBe tti4," snid Chnlkley I.sconey, WHO
trial Will enter upon its 9th week 70 do
TO his keeper il tire Camden jill yeste
day. For tous weeks the accused ms
has stood the ssv re ordeal, apparent
without fliaching, oNlraty watching h
character torn to pieces by the prosee
ton anl then patched up by his lawyer
The last four Gays of the trial have TO
heavily on tho prisoners nervous syater
He bore up we'll during the examiaatis
OF the Witneases out when both sld
began their final arguments the accuse
man commenced 10 wither under Il
gtrain.
When Lawyer Grey closed his master
Epaaoh for the defence on Saturday ].
cuney realized that tho otiais had com
He slept sounGly al Saturday night, a.
when 10 arose yesterday morning he W
Fomewhat rested There was eyUrythiI
indicative in tho 6emsRnor OF the III
that he had strong hopes Of its being {
last Sunday hs would be compelled