The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-13
GRAND jury REPORT.
Result Of the investigations
in New Orleans.
A Long and Very Interest
ing Document.
The Inside History OF the Mys-
teriOus Case.
Six Men Indicted for Bribing
the Jury,
But No Indictments Found Against
the Malta Lynchers.

AdDOIs IN the henneSSy case ana the XIII
ing of Italians at the parish prison by pre-
senting the following special report at 80
o'clock this afternoon:
GRAND JURY ROOM, May 5, 1891.
To the Hon. Robert II. Mari, Judge OF Grim
inal District Court of the Parish of Or
leans, See. A:
When this grand jury entered upon its term
of service there was pending in sec. Is, thi
tribunal, the trial OF nine men, indicted for
participation in the assassination OF the late
superintendent of police, ID. c. Hennsssy, on
the night OF Oct. 10, 1880.
The enOrmity Of that crime, executed at the
midnight hour created unusual interest
throughout the whole country, while in
: own city, vitality concerned in the adminlstra-
ton OF justice, as deeply affecting her social,
political and material welfare, the sentiment of
the pOpulace had crystallized into the concrete
form OF expression, that justice be rendered
through the recognized channels of criminal
Jurisprudence, that the guilty perpetrators,
whoever they were, be tried by an impartial
jury of American citizens and meet with
righteous conviction. One fact stood out in
awful prominence, above and beyond dispute
or question by any mau-the fact that crime
Of unparalleled atrocity had been committed.
evidenced by the five terrible death-dealing
weapons, the numerous slugs and bullets fired
in their errand OF human destruc-
ton and found imbedded in the
fences and houses at the scene, be-
sides the missiles that struck down
the solitary man who would never have been
marked as the victim had he not filed the re-
spOnsible position of chief officer of the law.
1t is not to be wondered that attention should
be directed to the trial during the many DAYS
of its progress in selection of jurors the evil
dence OF witnesses. tn arguments of counsel,
the charge OF the judge, and finally concen-
trated on the twelve men who by virtue of their
solemn oath, sat in awful judgment on their
fellowmen. The verdict now of Official record
bearing date March Is, 1891. We cannot be
mistaken in the assertion that the verdict was
startling. amazing, bitter disappointment,
shocking to public opinion. provoking the re-
peated accusation that some of the jury had
been unfaithful to their high Office.
We feel that we do not transcend the limits
OF our duty, as the grand inquest to refer to
the strong presentation of the case made by
the state through counsel associated in the
prosecution. Clear continuous, complete, con-
vineing in the direct testimony and the mate
rial circumstances, 1t appeared more than suf-
hcient to convince the most unwilling listener,
with its truth. and convey the full measure Of
its power TO those who ventured doubt
As the trial neered its termination. it was
not possible for any observer 10 fall to realize
the comments made on every side touching tho
action Of some members of the jury when the
case should be submitted; charges and speeu-
lation abounded, coupled with the wel-known
connection of certain parties of unenviable
notOriety, shown by their presence daily in
the court room and building arOusng the sus-
picion that The most subtitle, dangerous and
powerful influence known TO the practice of
criminal law were being exercised IN behalf
of the defense.
These considerations have led US to investi-
gate the subject embracing all its attendant
conditions and incidents. The inquiry has
been conducted with the utmost diligence,
devoid OF fear or Partially, with the single
purpose Of fastening the guilt to the proper
persons and presenting them under Indictment
70 this tribunal.
Each one of the twelve jurors of the trial was
summoned and asked to make a statement
None objected. but all rather welcomed the
opportunity. 1t was a notable feature of the
sworn statements that they primarily sought to
justify their verdict by attaC king the line of
evidence presented by the state and attaching
much weight to the arguments of the counsel
for defense. IL was freely admitted by the
jurors that remarks had been made in the Jury
room as early as the first day when testimony
was offered, and repeated a number of times
afterward, that the state was making a very
poor case," and was positively repeated at the
close Of the states evidence. One quarrel, at
least, was reported, arising from the accusa-
ton of one juror to another, with the ex-
preston:
You talk like you were fixed before you
came here"
They formed no conception of the tension to
which the public mind was strung, though inn
pressed with the deep interest as shown each
day by the crowd OF spectators in the court
room.
# was clearly indicated that the necessity
for secrecy was urged. as the several Jurors
were selected and joined the company of their
fellows. IL was impressed upon them at var
ious times and finally before the verdict was
rendered; brought forward again with the in
junction TO destroy every vestige of evidence
they had, and leave every thought and action
behind them Surely the urgency of this was
most cunningy devised to conceal the peculiar
events that iran PRED in the jury room. Care
full observers testify with special reference 10
the marked inattentiOn of the jury the wit
nesses submitted their evidence-a conduct
most unbecOming and fraught with the greatest
consequences when the momentOus import of
the issue is considered. We are led to con-
clude that the jury undertook to try the case,
when II was submitted by their own estimate of
the value OF statements made by parties not
called as witnesses. With strange unanimity
they dwelt upon what they knew, by reading
and hearsay, Of certain incidents of the assassi-
nation prior 10 the trial and made those the
bases OF the powerful persuasion for giving the
accused the benefit OF the doubt and cOnclud-
ing the deliberations in their favor.
We must take occasion to say that twas not
expected TO obtain any evidence of undue in
nuenee from the member OF the jury, for
those who were uncorruspted had nothing to
reveal while the others would but make them
selves particeps crimnis, yet in their numer-
Gus statements much was obtained having a
direct connection with and support6 by the
great volume of testimony elected during the
course OF the inquiry.
II is clearly broughtout by evidences OF the,
jurors that, as affecting three of the accused
Politez. Scaiedi, and Monasterio, the Jury en-
gagged IN the deliberations in their case some
four or FIVE hours. attended with intense ex-
element and on repeated ballots the jury's
vote stood six guilty, six not guilty This is a
clearly defined Indication of the convictions OF
the jury as 70 the three accused. 1t impressed
rs deeply. as il must every one to whom
the fact was conveyed, and forces
the conclusion that the evidence was
sufficient TO justify the six jurors who stood
resolute and determined for verdict of guilty,
making It we'll nigh impossible to reach any
other conclusion than mistrial. These three
accused named above wers probably the un-
willing actors designated by leaders Of the con-
spiracy TO execute villainous part in which
they had neither personal motive or interest
Following this Investigation IL was quickly
learned from various sources that talesmen had
been approached and every clew offered was
taken up. As rule, the talesmsn who had