The record-union., 1892-10-20
IN TEE HANDS OF TEE IIIEE JURY.
The Palmer Case Submitted, But Lii
tie Hope for a Verdict.
The Jury Was still Deliberating at
Last Accounts This Morning
The Closing Arguments.

Department Two of the Superior Court
was packed almost to the sufIocation
limit all day yesterday.
1t was the last day of the now cele-
brated Palmer murder trial, and it was
anticipated that the closing arguments
for the defense and prosecution would be
memorable efforts. And they were.
Court convened at =. NJ. ana Judge
CARRIER directed that Attorney Hart, for
the defense, proceed with his address to the
jury. Mr.. Hart has long been known as
an eloquent and convincing advocate, but
yesterdays events probably eclipsed any
thing he ever before attempted. He had
prepared himself thoroughly, and had
the facts upon which he intended to elab-
crate well in hand.
A LENGTHY TALK.
Mr.. Hart argued throughout the fore
noon, and consumed an hour more after
the noon recess. He dwelt at length upon
the prosecutions of Palmer bv Senator
Fair, Phleger, the deceased Angus and
others, and declared that they were per-
secutiOns rather than prosecutions, and
that they were sufficient 10 wreck any
man mentally. The prosecutors, he said
were not satisfied with what they had
already done, but were now trying to
hang Palmer He declared that Senator
Fair was even now back OF the prosecu-
ton, having employed special counsel to
assist i'll hanging Palmer. These perse-
cutions, he said, had driven Palmer mad.
and he had been madman for two years
according TO the evidence. He was in
this condition the day he saw Phleger in
Wissemann's saloon, and shot him with
out knowing what he was doing.
When Mr.. Hart finished in the after
noon special counsel Charles L. Jones,
tor the prosecution, made the closing ar
gument for that side. He adhered prin-
cipally to the theory that Palmer is not
insane and never WaS-that he was sim
ply a hard drinker. Palmer, he said.
hated Phleger, and it was his rage that
caused him to kill and not insanity. He
argued that Palmer's GOODNESS and delib-
Grafton were not indicative of mental un-
sOundneSS.
THE COURTS CHARGE.
Mr.. Jones concluded shortly before 5
o'clock. Many thought that Judge Gar
ber would not deliver his charge and
submit the case until to-day, but the
Judge has been very anxious to have the
case over with, and. despite the late
hour, announced that the case must go
ahead. He proceeded Immediately to de-
liver his charge. 1t was lengthy and in
tense. The Judge explained in detail
what were the various degrees of muir
der and posted the jury thoroughly as to
its duties.
Sheriff Stanley was sworn to watch the
jury, and the latter retired to deliberate
at OBS o clock. Judge CARRIER sent into
the jury room six forms Of verdict, any
one OF which the jury could adopt. They
were: not guilty" mot guilty by rea-
son of insanity" guilty OF murder in the
first degree" guilty Of murder in the
first degree, fixing punishment at life
Imprisonment" guilty of murder in the
second degree" and guilty of man
slaughter"
The crowd which had been hearing the
arguments all day fingered in the corri-
dors for some time so as to be on hand in
case of an early verdict. But after the
jury had been out an hour the general
opinion was that there would be dis
agreement. All sorts of rumors were
ailoat as to how the jury stood, but it is
safe to say that none Of them were authen-
tic.
At O'Clock supper was sent up to the
jury and it began to look as if it was to be
an all night siege. Still the crowd waited.
Many made themselves comfortable on
the courtroom benches, others lounged
about the corridors and exchanged views.
while the greater portion fingered outside
on the sidewalk in front of the Court
house. Here they could look into the
lighted jury-room on the top floor of the
building and watch the motions of the
jurors as they discussed the case. Most
of the latter had their coats off and were
gesticulating in an excited manner, in
dicating that they were not altogether
agreed on the case by any means.
At last accounts this morning the Jury
was still out, and 50 far as could be
learned there was little hope OF an agree
ment.