Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-11-25
LAST EDITION
JACOB STARKEY'S TRIAL.
7nE BRUTAL NEGROES CASE NOW
I'M THE JuRY'5 HANDS.

closing Arguments by Both side,-Chisf
Justice Comegys Makes a Charge to
the Jury That Seems Almost a Plea
for the Prison Minor Gases Tried
The case Of the state vs. Jacob Starkey
for committing rape upon little Grace
Clark was continued in yesterday after
Moons session of court The evid nee
adduced did not differ materially from
that given by the outraged girl, and in
fact the fate of Starkey hinges upon II,
as was evident from the manner in which
H. g. Conrad tried to show its absurdity
in several points.
The FRS witness called was the mother
of the child. She told how her daughter
had on the Wednesday following this
Sunday upon which the crime was con-
mitted confessed all to her, how she bad
subsequently informed her husband, ard
testified to the fact that Starkey was the
only negro upon the farm on that day
TIE cross examination did not affect her
evidence in the least.
She was followed by her husband.
Thomas CLARK, who testified d swearing
out the warrant for Stalk 5 rtrest. la
his evidence he said that IS soon as he
heard of the outrage he mode up his
mind to either hang the guilty negro or
shoot hin on sight. This lie was pre-
vented from doing by the earnest oar
suasions of bis wife, who tod him it
would be better to let the law take its
course. Upon her advice he went far
officers and had Starkey arrested the
evening of the day the startling confess
sion was made TO him. Els testimony
closed the evidence for the state, and it
was expected that there would be some
witnesses for tho defence but none were
produced.
Argument was Begin at 8 30 o'clock,
Deputy Attorney General Davis opening
for the state He said that the evidences
of DR. J j. Black proved coaclusively
that rape had not orly been attempted,
but contaminated, and asked for verdict
Of guilty.
he was followed by H. @ Conrad. who
had been assigned by the court to defend
the prisoner TIE Introductory to his
speech to the jury sounded more like
argument for the state than for the
defence He said that he did not stand be.
fore them to condone the deed OF the "base
wretch who undoubtedly did assault the
girl He Admitted the assault. but said
that Starkey did not accom- plish his pur
pose. He said that his client was I'M
doubtedly guilty of assault with intent
to commit rape" but that was al.
Therefore he WAS MT guilty under the
form of the indie 1ment Mr.. Conrad had
not concluded his argument when Court
adjourned until this morning.
Court reconvened this morning at 10
o'clock John D. Hawkins. of Camden.
Del, who is a graduate of Maryland
Law School. was admitted as a praetic-
ing attorney at the bar Of New Castle
County. upon motion of E c. Bradford
George w. Vernon, Peer T. Tyre, and
Nathan Lieber man, sureties for Sheriff
Simmons, were qualified In the sum Of
$780,
II. G. Conrad. attorney for Jacob
Starkey, resumed argument for the de.
fence ae closed his speech to the jury
at 10,S0, and was followed by Attorney
General Biggs for the state. He made a
powerful speech and for one hour held
the closest attention Of the crowd in the
court room. In closing he appealed to
the jury to bring on verdict OF guilty
and protect the women of the state from
such offenses
Caief Justice Comegys charged the
Jury, and his short speech was very
ltNOfhOle 10 inc DtiS9uef. ~ idlQ great
stress upon the fact that the jury should
consider whether the child showed any
bruises or signs that she had struggled TO
free herself, and further than that
they should consider the fact
whether or not she had made all the
cutlery it was possible for her to make
The fact that the child had concealed the
crime for three or four days was also
called to the attention Of the Jury.
The jury retired at - 10 p. m.
Application was made by Sarah L
Geary for divorce from her husband,
Robert P Geary. Mayor Harrington was
appointed commissioner to take testi-
m ny. Wslter II Hayes was attorney
for the petitioner
State vs.. John Newell, for larceny Of q
pair OF lines from Martin Keogn. had the
lashes RENTED on motion of Deputy
Attorney General Davis, to two months
imprisonment.
State VS.. Andrew Wilkinson, for lar
ceny Of a chicken, pleaded guilty. Pc
liceman Charles Whann testified to his
good character. Sentenced TO pay cost o.
prosecution, 81 restitution money and b,
imnrisoned one month
The court then took d recess awaiting
the action Of the Starkey jury.