St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-31
Her HONOR WAS SAFE
The Jury in the Kate Davis
Case Brings in an
Aequittal.
A Dramatic Exhibition OF the
Scene Of the Homi-
eide.
The Defendant Appears in
Court in Violent Hys-
terics.
Exceedingly Eloquent Argu-
ments by the Able
Attorneys.

ing Sam Blackson, was acquitted by the
verdict of the jury at 6 o'clock last
evening. She was given her freedom
by direction of Judge Kelly, after the
county attorney statsal that there was
no further reason for OBTAINING her.
The verdict was expected by most who
heard the trial. The woman went home
with her husband last evening, with the
sympathies of law-fearing people who
believe that the verdict was just one
and but an expression Of law
that the killing was justified
by the facts and circumstances.
The jury was out about an hour,
The court house was fairly we'll filled
when the jury returned and its verdict
was announced. The crowd, generally,
broke forth with hand-clapping, and
otherwise expressed its approval. This
led Judge Kelly to administer rebuke
and to direct the bailitfS to bring those
whom they saw applauding before the
bar for contempt OF court. The only
person, however, SO singled out was
Hon. Frank S. Battly. who was repri-
manded specially. and after severe
rebuke was allowed to pass without
further action.
Scene Of the Murder.
At the opening OF court yesterday
morning the defendant was brought
into the court room by balllff. She
looked worn and distressed, and it was
learned that she had not slept any dur
ing the preceding night. She took her
place on the witness stand to be further
cross-examineo by the county attorney.
Mr.. O'Bren proceeded to ask her as to
her residence in Minneapolis, st. Joe,
Omaha and other cities and as to her
keeping dlSreputable houses. Under
instructions from her attorneys she re-
fused to answer some of these queS-
tons and her tears began to flow
freely. When she left they wit
ness stand she became historical,
and it was some time before her audible
sobS were suppressed. During the day
she sat with her face heavily yelled, and
Sobbing was heard at intervals during
the forenoon. AT IL o'clock all the evil
dence was in, and the jury went to visit
the scene of the shooting. This was
trying ordeal to Mrs. Davis, and her
counsel would have spared her going
with the jury had the court deemed 1T
advisable to be absent while the jury
was considering what is a part of the
evidence in the case. The woman was
taken to her former home in a
carriage, and was so excited and
hysterical that she was almost carried
up the steps by Deputy Sheriff Dana
and Bailiff Conroy. When she took a
seat in rocking chair at the head OF
the stairs she did not remove her heavy
veil, but sat and sobbed. Two dogs be-
longing to her went to her side. One OF
them, small one, sprang into her lap
Il n
while the larger one stood by her side
and looked up and wagged his tail and
showed his satisfaction. 1t was noted
that both dogs recognized her at sight,
and could not be attracted from her
without the use of force. The apart
ments are we'll furnished and have an
air OF comfort. The wisdom of having
the jury inspect them was apparent, as
a good idea of the cramped and peculiar
surroundings could not be otherwise
readily obtained.
Two Able Arg
County Attorney o. Brien began his
address to the jury shortly after IL
O'clock, and spoke Il half hour after the
opening of the afternoon session. His
address was undoubtedly the effort of
his official career. 1t was an able pres
entation Of The case, but All exceed
ingly fair one to the defense. The de-
PENDANTS. counsel could hardly expect
fairer treatment. The address was pro-
nounced as being in the vein of the
truly honorable prosecutor. 1t en-
braced an able analysis of the evidence,
of the law. He told the jury that in
case they believed that the shoot
ing was done by the woman to
protect her honor or life they should ac-
quit, but on the other hand, If they be-
lIeved that it was unjustfiable they
should do their duEy fearlesSly and vim
dictate the law without malice toward
the prisoner. His review OF the cyl
dence was exhaustive. His application
of the law led him to all occasional
flight of oratory that was eloquent to a
high degree. The jury and the packed
court room and gallery listened with
breathless stiffness to his address. At
the conclusion of Mr.. O'Brien's address
Mr.. Wellington asked the court to con-
slider the statute relative to the rule
of justitiable homicide in connec-
ton with the case. He then read
the statute which provides that woman
may protect her honor by taking life;
and if an assault be made upon her in a
way that she is led to believe that
criminal intention exists in the mind of
her asSaiJant, she may slay the assail-
ant He then proceeded to address the
j ury IN the defense of his client, His
speech was eloquent, and it was ex-
haustive in the review of the testimony
from his standpoint.
Judge Kelly's charge to the jury was
clear exposition OF the law, and was
closely followed by all in the court
room. He clearly defined the three de-
grees of murder and of manslaughter.
He also fully defined the duties of
the jurors. A clear exposition of the
law of self-defenSe and of justi-
fable homicide was also presented to
tine juoy. 1t took over q haIf-hOur to
deliver the charge, and the hundreds of
standing spectators scarcely moved until
q flor thn iudoa concluded