Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-21
not GUILTY.
c. Il. ELDRED DECLARED INNOCENT OF
BALLOT-B0X sTUFFING.
Ihe jury Takes but Five Minutes to
Reach Verdict-The Case Yig-
orously Contested.

The case of the people against Charles
d. Eldred, for felony ballot box stufing),
was concluded in Judge Armstrong; Court
yesterday, and resulted in the prompt &C.
qulttal OF the accused by the jury. The
argument was opened at 10 o'clock by Dis.
trict Attorney Bruner, who presented the
case in such forcible manner that the
friends OF Eldred feared the latter would
be convicted. Mr.. Bruner was followed by
Frank D. Ryan for the defense. Mr.. Jones
concluding in Edreds behalf in a most
effective address to the jury. The closing
argument for the prosecution was by Mr..
bruner 1t was matter of general remark
ABOUT the Courthouse that the case was
apIy anu strongly argued on both sides.
:, Judge Armstrong finished his charge to
the Jury at about 3:45 o'clock p. M. After
the jury left the Court room Judge Arm.
strong retired to his chamber, but was
jury haVlng announced their readiness to
report. 1t had been quite generally be.
Hsved that the jury would disagree, but
when 1t became known that an agreement
haa been reached in so short time it was
regarded as a favorable result for the &C
cused.
When the jurymen returned to their
seats and the Court had been called 20
order, all eyes were turned upon Eldred.
VINO sat by Mr.. Ryan, one of his counsel,
and glanced nervously at the Jury. The
jury was polled, and Judge Armstrong
asked:
Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed
upon verdict p
We have, answered Foreman Beard,
''not guilty."
This latter break" on the part of the
Juryman caused EIdred to give start, but
the Court promptly directed Mr.. Beard to
pass the verdict over to the Clerk, which
was done. As soon as the contents of the
paper were recorded Clerk Rhoads so in
formed the Court, and then read the YER
dict aloud
we, the jurors impaneIed to try the
case OF the People VS.. Charles H. Eldred
charged with felony do find the defendant
not guilty"
rs that your verdict, gentlemen ?" asked
the Court
1T isl replied the members of the
jury.
Gentlemen of the jury" said Judge
Armstrong, 1.-THE Court is entirely satisfied
with your verdict. l do not see how, on
the evidence presented, you could have ar
rived at any other conclusion. You are
excused"
There was slight attempt at applause in
the rear of the Courtroom, but a glance
from the Judge in that direction caused its
sudden suppression. Then Mr. Eldred
jumped to his feet and raised his hand as
II to attract the attention of the Court, but
Judge Armstrong turned to Under Sheriff
Coons and directed him to adjourn Court.
AS the Judge was descending from the
bench Mr.. Jones said to him that his client
had wished to ask permission to thank the
jury for its verdict, but Judge Armstrong
said he could not permit anything of the
kind in his Court.
Mr.. Eldred was promptly surrounded BY
large number of his friends, who con-
graduated him on his acquittal.
The jury, it was learned, took three bal
lots IN quick succession. The first stood
ten for acquittal, the second eleven for &C.
qulttal and the third was unanimous.