Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-24
NOT GUILTY.
Mason Bradfield Acquitted of
the Charge of Murder.
After Some Hesitation the Jury
Agree ON Verdict.
The Defendant Legally Set Free from
Custody.
The Scenes in the Court-The Defendant
at Once Taken HOme-A Hard
The Scenes in the Court-The Defendant
at Once Taken HOme-A Hard
Fought Trial-The Jury's
Personnel.

The twelve men who were chosen to
paes judgment on the killing of Joe Dye
in this city, on the 14th of May last,
have decided that Mason Bradfeld was
an insane man when he committed the
deed, and therefore not responsible for
his actions. In little more than an
hour after this decision was reached,
Judge Smith discharged the defendant,
exonerated his bonds, and the man who
gave "poor old Joe Dye" what he had
given so many others walked out of
court as free as the air. Thus ended
trial which has attracted more wide-
spread interest than any proceeding be-
fore the superior courts OF this county
for years.
AS stated in yesterdays HERALD,
when the jury in this case were put to
bed by the bailiA Wednesday night
they stood ten for acquittal and two
for conviction. The two who thought
that Mason Bradfeld had not done just
right in removing his enemy so uncere-
moniously from the earth were N. P.
Campbell and HI. w. Ernst. J. L. Mes
nager at first thought that way too, but
he went over to the majority Wednes-
day night before many ballots had been
taken, and Ernst and Campbell were
alone. Yesterday afternoon these two
men were just as strong in their convic-
tion as ever, and when the jury was
called into the courtroom at 80 no
agreement had been reached.
"What is the matter, gentlemen. Is
it question of law or facts ?" asked the
court.
Facts" said Daniel Jones, who had
been chosen foreman when the jury be-
gan its deliberations.
"How are you divided as to num-
bers? ?" the court inquired.
''Ten to two."
"Do you think you can agree if give
you more timer"
Jones thought they could, but an
other of the jurors thought not. The
court, however, sent them back, and
good-natured discussion of the case be-
gan, which finally resulted in the win
ming over of Ernst and Campbell to the
majority's views. The final ballot took
place at IL :15 p. M, but it was not till
/ 80 that the court was on the bench
and prepared to hear the verdict.
When the defendant and his attorneys
and the states attorney were finally
summoned, the jury filed into their box,
and foreman Jones read the following
verdict
"We, the jury in the above entitled
cause, find that the defendant might
have been insane, and therefore not
guilty"
The form of this verdict did not suit
the defense, and on their objection the
court ordered the jury out again to draw
up finding without any might have'
in it. This was soon done, and the new
verdict read:
.,We, the jury. find the defendant not
guilty"
Bradfield was not unprepared, Of
course, for this announcement, and ex-
pressed very little emotion at the time.
His head fell into his hands tor few
moments, but he soon started. up and
shook hands with each of the jurymen
after they had been discharged and were
filing out. Later, however, the young
mans Joy overcame him, and he burst
into tears as he walked out of the court
room. Attorney Ling hustled him into
a carriage and ordered the driver to
take him home as fast as his horses
could carry him, and bear the welcome
news to his anxious mother.
brauH6lQs 8 Trial mas Deen nara
fought one. The verdict is undoubtedly
based largely on sentiment, and would
not have been the same had
the victim of the homicide been
anyone else but Joe Dye. The prosecu-
tion had an uphill task considering the
character of the deceased, but the dis
trict attorney made strong fight, and
it is not his fault that it was not win
ming one. The defense was likewise
ably conducted.
Mrs. Bradfield and her son received
the congratulations OF large number of
friends yesterday afternoon, and the
formers JOY at her sons discharge was
unbounded. She has stood faithfully
by his side throughout the long ordeal,
and presented touching picture OF ma
ternal devotion.
The jury which found Bradfield not
guilty was composed OF the following
men: w. w. Orr, S. Morton, j.. g. But
Ter, w. @. Hooker, N. P. Campbell,
Daniel Jones, HI. w. Ernst, Chas. Cas-
tella, E. G.. Cranston, R. J. Floyd, w.
H. Juenger and J. L. Mesnager.
TuE0yUN or1T AGAIN