The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-06

by Counsel on BOth sides.
NEW ORLEANS. Ia. May 5.-The long de-
layed report Of the grand jury in the interna-
uona affair Of the parish prisoners. which
occurred March l4th was presented late this
evening to Judge Marr.
lt iustihes the citizens, presents no indict-
m,nts and is given herein in full, being
signed by al the jurors:
GroDd Jury Boom. May 8, 1s91.-To the
Honorable Robert II. Marr, Judge of the
Criminal District Court of the Parish of New
Orleans Section A.
When tins grand jury entered upon its term
of service there was pending IN section B of
the tribunal the trial of nine men indicted
for participation in the assassination of the
late superintendent of Police ID. &. Hennessy
~ the night of October is. 1891. The enOrmity
OF that crime executed at the midnight hour
created unusual interest throughout the
whole country, while IN our own city,
vitality concerned IN the admlmstra-
uou of Justice as deeply affecting
her social. political and material welfare, the
sentiment ot the populace had crystalzedmtO
the concrete form of expression that justice
bee rendered through the recognized channels
of criminal lurisprudonce that the perpetra-
tors whoever they were. be tired by an nl-
partial jury of American citizens and meet
with % righteous conviction.
A0INr or UNPARALLELED ATRoCIrY.
One fact stood out In awful prominence be-
y0nd dispute or question by amy man the
fact crime Of unparalleled atr0citv had been
committed evidenced by the five terrible
death-doaliug weapons the numerous slugs
and bullets found mhedlcd in the fence be-
sides the missiles that struck down the solitary
man. who would never have been marked as
t-c victim bad le not filed the responsible
position of chief ot police of the law.
10 ls not 70 be wondered that attention
should be directed to the trial during the many
days of its progress. the selection of jurors,
the arguments of counsel. the charge of the
Judge and finally concentrated ON the twelve
men who 10y virtue of their solemn oath sat IN
awful Judgment on their fellOw-man. The
verdict is now official record bearing date
March 10, 1891 We cannot be mistaken In
the assertion that the verdict was startling,
amazing, a bitter disappointment, shocking
o. public opinion, provoking the repeated ac-
cusatlOn that some of the jury had been un-
faithful to their high Office.
THE INFLUENCE UPON THE JURY.
We feel that We do not transcend the limits
Cf our duty as the grand jury to refer to the
strong presentations of the case as made 10y
the State through counsel associated in the
prosecution. clear. complete. convincing IN
the direct testimony and the material clrcum-
stances 1t appears more than sufficient 10
truth. and convey the full measure of its
power 20 those who veutured a doubt As the
trial ueared its termination 1t was not
possible for an observer TO fall 20 realize
the comments made on every side touchngthe
action of some members of the Jury when the
case should he submitted Charges and
tueculatOns abOunded. coupled with the Well
known connection of certain parties with un-
euvable notOrety, as shown by their presence
daily ~ the courtroom and building. arOus-
500 ANer.H sN.l.n Na sfa
ger0us and powerful influences known 10 the
criminal law were being exercised IN behalf or
tle defense. Those considerations have led
us 70 investigate the subject embracing all its
attendent conditions and incidents.
DuIGENT INQUIRY.
The inquiry has been conducted with the
utmost diligence, devoid of fear on partlallty,
with the single purpose of fastening the guilt
upon the proper persons and presenting them |
under indictment Of this tribunal
Bach of the twelve jurors of the trial was
summoned and asked 10 make a statement. I
None objected, but all rather welcomed the /
opportunity. it was "a notable feature of the
sworn statement that they primarily sought /
g. justify their verdict by attacking the line /
of evidence presented by the State, and at |
taching much weight 20 the arguments of the |
counsel for the defense 1t was freely |
admitted 10y the jurors that the re- /
marks had been made in the jury /
spOlu ao early as the ufSI OHN wien inc /
testimony was offered and repeated "a number |
of times afterwards that the State was max /
ilg poor case, aud this was positively re- /
peated at the close Ofthe States evidence. One /
quarrel at least was reported. arising from the |
accusation of one Juror 90 another the express /
blon, You talk ike YOU were fixed when you /
came here
IGNORED POPULAR OPINION.
They formed no conception of the tension |
b. D. j. fl.f.. ! Na. 4
impressed with the deep interest as shown \
each day by the crowd Of people IN the court |
room. 1t was clearly indicated that the neces- /
tlty for secrecy was urged as the several .
Jurors were selected and Joined the company /
Ot the fellows 1t was impressed upon /
them 40 various times and finally /
that the verdict was rendered brought |
forward again with the same injunction 20 de-
ttr0y ol, " vestige OF evidence they had and /
leave every thought and action behind.
huey the urgency of this was most cum
nngy devised 10 conceal the peculiar events
that trauspired in the jury room. Careful OBJ
servers testify with special reference 10 the
marked attention of the Jury as the witnesses
tuDmltted their evidence as conduct most un-
becoming and fraught with the grayest conse-
huences when the mOmentous import OF the
ISSUE is considered.
OPINIONS or OTHERS TAKEN
We are led TO conclude that the jury under
TOOK 10 try the care when 1t was submitted by
their own estimate of the virtue OF the state
nents made bv parties not called as wit
hesses. With strange unapimity they dwelt on
what they knew by reading and hearsay of GER
iah incidents OF assassination pn0r 10 the
trd and made those the basis of the power
IN persuasion for giving the accused
Tue benefit Of the doubt, and con
Guiding deliberations in their favor.
"o must take occasion 10 say that
was not expected 10 obtain any evidence Of
ehdqe influence from members of the jury,
~Iihoso who were uDcorFupted had nothing |