The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-02-26
MURDER IN The FIRST DEGREE.
Further Testimony Given in
the Stout Case.
THE ACCUSED CONVICTED.
Able Arguments by Counsel ON Both
Sides.

| Deputy Sheriff Mackey testified that when
| Stout was brought before States Attorney
! Evans he was told he could make IL statement
! if he wished. Stout said that on the night of
the murder he went to the church, but saw no
| light in the building, and then went to Billy
| Moore's, arriving there at ten minutes before
| 10 o'clock.
John G. Spath, son-in-law of Mr.. Dittmar,
said he found the piece of handkerchief in the
barn near where the club was made with
which the deceased was murdered.
| George Meekins saw the prisoner changing
his clothes in the woods, and identified the
clothes and shoes shown in court as those
Stout took off. Also, that when Stout was ar
| rested he told the officers to examine his
George w. Sartin saw tracks leading to Dit
mars house which had the same appearance as
those leading therefrom.
james NJ. Jordan testified that the pris-
oner, when in Jail, told him and Harrison
CARRIER he was in for beating old man Dittmar
and the old lady. He said he struck at her and
did it for money. The witness testified he had
been arrested for the Richards murder, and
upon cross-cXamination disclosed a very I'M
SaVory reputation.
Harrison CARRIER told the same story.
John G. Mears testified to finding receipt of
Mr.. Dittmar's while following the tracks of
the supposed murderer.
Charles E. Purdy had also followed the
tracks and noticed their popularity.
Joseph Stout, father of the prisoner, testified
he had heard Mrs. Dittmar accuse Alfred, some
years before, of robbing her, and Alfred did
not deny it.
The State here closed.
Friday morning testimony for the defense
was taken.
Araminta Stout, mother OF the prisoner, said
her son never had handkerchief like the one
produced in evidence.
DIR. Karsner had made but slight examina-
ton of the clothing, and saw no blood upon it,
nor did he notice any dampness.
DIR. Wallace noticed spot on the vest which
looked like blood, but is color-biind. The coat
Andrew Stout, brother of Alfred, told the
| prisoner the officers were after him during the
Monday before the arrest.
Nance w Watts, IL, J. Bennett, ken mar;
fled that they would not believe Jordan on his
oath.
The evidence for the defense closed at this
point.
The case was argued with great ability by
Mr.. Thackery, Mr.. Crothers and Mr.. Mayna-
der for the defense, and by States Attorneys
Crothers and Preston and w. Il. Warburton
for the State.
Mr. Crothers concluded his argument on be-
half of the State at five o'clock Monday after
noon, when the case was given to the jury. In
about fifteen minutes they signified to the bal
| lift in charge that they had agreed. Counsel in
the case were summoned, but before the jury
was brought into court Judge Waters ordered
that perfect silence should be maintained, and
added that if there were any expressions of
approval or disapproval of the verdict the Of
Tending persons would be arrested.
The jury then entered the court room with
| serious faces and quietly took their seats.
Deputy Clerk Scarboro said:
Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed
upon your Verdict?"
The reply came from several: I'VE have"
who shall say for you?"
Our foreman"
Mr. Scarboro then addressed the prisoner:
ALFRED Stout, stand up. Hold up your right
| hand.''
The prisoner obeyed the order promptly.
"Gentlemen of the jury" continued the
Clerk, look upon the prisoner at the bar.
What say you, is Alfred Stout, the prisoner at
| the bar, guilty or not guilty of the matter
whereof he stands indicted?"
The foreman, Mr.. William S. Scarf, arose
and said: Guilty of murder in the first de-
gree"
The Clerk was about to record the verdict.
when Mr. Maynadier, one of the prisoners
counsel, demanded that the jury be polled,
which was ordered by the Judge.
One by one the jurymen arOte and repeated
the verdict, Guilty of murder in the first de-
gree and it was so recorded and the jury dis
charged.
The prisoner, strongly guarded, was then
escorted by the Sheriff and his deputies to his
cell in the Jail. After being sentenced, if the
| law does not intervene, he will be taken to
Elkton and hanged.
During the trial Stout manifested no emo
| ton, but sat in his chair quietly observant of
all that occurred. Those who were near him
say he trembled when the verdict was an
nounced
The jury in the case was composed of Messrs.
son, H. Scott Gilbert, William j. Kean, John
E. Colder, David E. Michael, Israel A. Scarf,
Jonas X. NOnemaker, James X. Massey, Geo.
w. Smith, William c. Darlington.