St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-28
ALL THREE ACQUITTED.
The Defendants in the Abduction
Case Declared Innocent.

AAo Do.ehuantS IN the ABDUCTION
Case Declared Innocent.
When the jury in the abduction case
went out at 4 30 last evening the general
opinion of court officials and spectators
was that conviction of at least some of
the defendants would follow as matter
of course. Contrary to this anticipa-
ton the jury returned at 5:55 with a
verdict OF not guilty as to all three de-
PENDANTS. The verdict was complete
surprise to County Attorney O'Brien, as
well as to others familiar with the course
OF the trial. After the verdict was rem
dered the court ordered Ida Shenk, C,
L. Watson and William Demars dis
charged from custody.
The hearing of testimony was con-
cluded during the morning session.
Stella Drake, sister of Ida Shenk, testi-
he'd that when Grace May Ellis went to
her home the morning after the alleged
abduction, she seemed cheerful. and
said nothing about an assault. ATTORNEY
McGhee showed by the notes of the in
vestigatlon in the municipal court that
Grace then said DemarS had tried 10
take liberties with her on the sofa. The
child was recalled by the county attor
ney and asked about this point, and
she chung to the story told at the pres
ent trial that it was Watson who made
the assault. After the testimony was
concluded County Attorney O'Brien
addressed the jury. making an able
prosecution or the case. He spoke of the
enormlty of the attempt to defile a girl
OF tender years, and asserted that the
stories OF the defendants were
enough to establish their guilt
beyond question without considering
the states testimony. lie then re-
viewed the evidence and especially that
of the defendants, and called attention
TO the contradictory statements of the
hour. and was stated to be convincing
and able.
At p. m. +. l.. McGhee, the colored
attorney, arose TO present the argument
for the defendants to the jury. 1t was
apparent then that he had a difficult
task before him, as it seemed that not
only the sentiment of those in the court
room but of the jury as well was against
him. But nothing daunted, he soon
warmed up 10 his cause. Notwithstand-
ing his declaration to only speak an
hour, he poured out his illustrations
and Philippics of oratory for two
hours, ana grew more eloquent as he
progressed. 1t was the sentiment of
Vs.
attorneys and spectators who heard the
address, that it was a decidedly able
one. He soon had the undivided atten-
ton of the entire jury. and held it
closely to the end. His comments OH
the evidence were ingenious. His pathos
broke forth into well-rounded periods.
and his logic in applying illustrations
would do credit 10 the ablest criminal
attorneys at the local bar. The defend
ant Ida Shenk sat with transforming
eyes during the address. Watson fire.
quently shed tears, and the powerful
frame Of the man often trembled with
emotion, whilst the muscles of mis- face
and throat twitched in his efforts to
subdue perceptible sobs.
The charge of Judge Otis consumed a
half-hour,a and was an able exposition of
the law and a review of the main feat
ureS Of the testimony. lie instructed
the jury that the law is that to abduct
female under the age of sixteen years
for the purpose of prostitution is a
crime; that it is not necessary to use
force to constitute abduction; the offense
may be committsd by an invitation OF
inducemeHt used as mere Dretense. If
Grace May Ellis had gone to the room
upon invitation, and had even con-
sented to illicit intercourse with one of
the men, that would not excuse the de-
PENDANTS: she being under sixteen years
of age could not consegt, in law, and
even if she had been nnchaste before
the time mentioned and should then
consent to tue improper relation, it was
nevertheless crime because of her
tender years and lack of ability in law
to consent. The court then instructed
the jurors that any one or more of the
defendants might be found guilty of the
offense, but that if there were found to
be concert of action all should be
found guilty. provided it was found that
the intention was to nave sexual inter-
course with the child. The court then
reviewed the evidence aud made the
comment that the men being both mar
ried and their going to the room ia the