The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-06-17
S9QCEER WAS BRAVE.
He Waited to Learn His
Fate with a Smile on
His Lips.
A COMPROMISE VERDICT.
How 1t Was Reached-A Petition in
Circulation Favoring the
Minimum Sentence.
A COMPROMISE VERDICT

Arthur Stocker, convicted of murder in
the second degree, occupies cell No. 2 in
the third ward of the County Jail. There
he will remain until such time as he is
taken into court to receive sentence.
From the time that the jury filed out of
court at half-past two O'Clock yesterday
afternoon until ten minutes to four
o'clock, when it came in again, the NOR
bid crowd fingered in the court room and
in the galleries and there was continual
murmur OF talk. Judge Werts and Lay
Judges Hoffman aud Kenny went into
their cham bers. Ex-Judge Hoffman, after
administering a few words CT cheer to
Stocker, left the court room to get some
lunch.
The probable verdict, of course, was
generally discussed. The majority of the
lawyers who had listened to the testi-
mony were of the belief that verdict OF
cutor Winfield said he was positive that
the jury would bring in a verdict of mur-
der in the first degree.
Nothing but sympathy for the accused
could make any other verdict possible, "
said the Prosecutor. "The evidence all
HE HAD COURAGE.
During the long wait for verdict.
Stocker'5 demeanor was remarkable.
Constable Fred Budden sat beside him
and Stocker talked pleasantly. If a per-
SON did not know Stocker be would never
have judged from his actions that his life
was trembling in the balance. Stocker' 8
spirits were actually buoyant and smile
hovered about his lips and his blue eyes
twinkled rnerrily.
Counsellor Max Salinger went over to
the prisoner aud said:-"Arthur, think
you will De acquitted"
Stocker's smile was more pronounced
after these encouraging W ords from his
counsel.
A big bouquet of flowers rested on the
table in front of him. 1t was the gift of
pretty girl who is said to be the niece of
the prisoner living in Buffalo. Dec sion
ally Stocker would pick the bouquet up
and inhale its perfume.
Several members Of Steuben Lodg ge
came up and spoke pleasant words to the
prisoner, and presented him with cigars.
A THRILLING MOMENT.
At ten minutes to four o'clock when the
jury piled in, Stocker's smile vanished.
it was evident that he was intensely eX-
cited. When the jury had ali beer
located and their names called off, ,Stocker
bit his must ach. When the words guilty
of murder in the second degree with a
recommendation 20 mercy were pro-
nounced by the foreman. Stocker appeared
relieved. Several friends came mp and
shook his hand warmly. After the ver-
dict had been duly rendered, eX-Judge
Hoffman told the Court that the prisoner
desired to plead non vult to the indict-
ment charging him with attempting to
kill Mamie Tierney. The plea was ac-
cepted and Stocker was taken back to the
County Jail.
After Stocker had been locked up in the
jail, the jury, which, by tho way, is said
to be the best and most intelligent jury
that has yet sat in the Court House, re-
ceiyed a great deal of attention.
The jury was bored beyond
measure by ipquisitive people who
wanted to know just how they arrived at
their verdict. but the jurors had evil
dently made up their minds not to say
ANYTHING, and wepa as close mouthed as
the proverbial oyster.
REACHING THE VERDICT.
This morning, however, learned from
an authoritative source that on the first
ballot six of the Jurors favored murder In
the first degree and the remainder were
divided between acquittal and man
slaughter. Finally murder in the second
degree, with recommendation to mercy,
was agreed upon as n compromise verdict.
"I1ave you anything to say about the
VFIulChI 1IpoCtupuA w idAOlu w do ttSh6u
this morning.
No. / don't care to say anything at
present. am glad it is over. however" f"
he replied.
| called at the County Jail this morning
for the purpose of interviewing Stocker.
The prisonser sent out the following
message by JRiler Davis:-"I would like
to oblige THE NEWS. believe it to have
been very far in its reports; but my coun-
sci will not let me talk to any reporter.
Ny counsel say it might prejudice my
case.
MANY FAVORED ACQUITTAL.
In the old Fourth district last night the
verdict was generally discussed. Opinion
seemed to be divided somewhst. A great
many believed that Stocker should have
been acquitted. while others believed the
verdict to bs just one. No one was heard
TO express the opinion, however, that the
verdict should have been murder in the
first degree. The members of Steuben
Lodge aud Hoboken lodge are industri-
ously circulating petition which they
will present to Judge Werts. asking that
the sentence be mitigated to the mini
mum set by law. 1t Is not thought likely
that Stocker will be sentenced this week.
GADDIS' CAFE AU LAIT FOE.