New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-19
AN ABIDING MYSTERY.
AT ONCE A LAWYERS HOPE AND DESPAIR.
WHAT THE COGITATIOYs OF A PETIT JURY
WILL BRING FORTH-soME SAMPLE

WILL BRING FORTH-SOME SAMPLE
VAGARIEs
ANY man who should attempt to amuse his hearers
nowadays by telling story Of a jury who brought IN
a verdict Of Not Guilty. but if he does it again he
will get the full penalty would be greeted with
cries Of Chestnut chestnut and would be assured
that the thing credited years ago to the far west
was immortalzed by Mark Twain in one Of his books,
and that nobody believed that It ever did happen any
way. Yet the newspapers reported, and what the
news papers say must be true, that only week ago
urv at Newark. y. j. trying a case at Quarter ses-
,ions brought in a verdict Of not guilty. but We
don't want him TO do it again. and the verdict was
accepted
In the Court Of General Sessions in this city last
month Jury after spending an unusually long time IN
considering their verdict came into court and the clerk
asked
Are You agreed upon your verdct1'
1--WE have agreed replied the Intelligent foreman,
4Wl.t +, Your verdict. them" said the clerk.
We find said ihc foreman sascly and with de
liberation. that stand seven for acquttal and
five for Conviction
Then YOU have not agreed at ALL said the clerk
testify.
guess you have agreed to disagree said the
Judge but YOU had better try it again.
4 moor fellow who W., on trial for his life in the
.anc court not long ago got terrible shock by the
sudden change from kccnly anxious hope 10 eio
certainty Of release. and then back again to black de-
pair In the course Of one minute brought about by the
,lrt and precise pompo,ty Of the foreman Of the jury
which va. trying him. They too had taken long
time 90 consider their verdict and the prisoner,
desperate and hardened villain. who had poor case
and had looked for nothing but the worst began to
think that they might after all, disagree The anx-
ctv ann,rent on his face told how the suspense had
rcbed hn when he again faced the jury as they fled
into court and took their seats
In murder cases. as q rule. more Formally IS used
than for ordinary crimes. and so the clerk said :;
~Gentlcmcn of the jury. do YOU find the prisoner
guilty Of murder In the first degree. charged IN the
Nov. Che. foreman was q young lawyer himself. and
he fel, that he ought show his legal lore and fine
judicial mini. 80 bee paused moment, evidently re
poatn- the question To- himself and finally sad com
pllccuty DO Not guilty
There v- % -t- q surprise all over the court. and
the prisoner almost tainted with Joy he heard the
words, But the iurymen began 10 demonstrate with
their foreman and he conde,cended 10 explain.
FL mean Of course he said, " that we find the
prisoner not guilty Of murder in the first degree Is
charged in the Indictment That was the question
asked ~ me- Eut We do ind him guilty Of murder in
The prisoner lurs, into tears over the di,appont
mcut tnOu-. he at one tine contemplated a worse re-
suit with -'ohdiiy. bat the legal gentleman i,'d
properly upheld tHc reputation OF his profession Tor
,.,.,t.t,dc and yeglo-ity.
..ort.'ai rrn vh.th,r tae Almighty himself know,
just WHAT petit jury VIII do "ln any "a-i,''..9 9
q, surprise good many people no., 10. az 'h ,.,
tpu.u Three men were arrested ior tnr same
i,rf,rv Am mad separate trials. The evidence was
nr... ...y the same u all three eases Two were
lllUiftcd and tAc third. hQuurdralcr. was con
,,f., mat t,e OILY possible reason for the COM
vI.ron ,omod 10 Dee that this man kept rum shop
% rco.nilcd locality at present FOR story tcllers
% aN the -'cne- of jury dramas III j. 'ne SM 9,-.,