Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-11-17
LENGO NOT GUILTY.
The Delaware Negro Who Was Suspected
Of Numbering Mrs. Annie Miller at Inst


Of Numbering Mrs. Annie Miller at Inst
Set Mt liberty.
CAMpES. y. T.. Nov. l3.,-The second
trial OF Francs Lingo for the murder or
Mrs. Annie Miller terminated in a most
unexpected manner yesterday afternoon
by Lingo being discharged after the court
had ordered the jury to find verdict of
mot guilty.
There was large number of spectators
IN the court room when the prosecution
announced that it had closed its side of the
case. At this Lawyer Thomas HARVARD of
the counsel for Lingo, moved for the dis
charge of the defendant on the ground
that the state had produced nothing but
the fiimsiest kind of circumstantial evil
dence and had utterly failed to show that
Lingo had anything to do with the murder.
Prosecutor jenkins argued against the
motion and commended that the state had
produced sufficient evidence to prove
lingo's guilt. Ex-Judge Wescott, of Lingo's
counsel, also took part in the argument,
when finally the question was submitted
70 Judge Garrison as to whether the state
had failed in its case.
ORDERED mot GUILTY.
Judge Garrison, after reviewing the ma
terial points of the testimony, to the sur
prise of every one in the court room, stated
that the state had failed to make out case
against Lingo and the court ordered the
jury to render verdict of mot guilty.
Lingo was accordingly discharged. He
could hardly realize his good fortune and
after shaking hands with his counsel
walked out Of the courtroom, surrounded
by his lawyers. He said he did not know
where TO 80 and had no intention of re-
turning to Merchantville, where he had
resided with his wife previous to the MUIR
der Of Mrs Miller.
There is much indignation in Camden
over the action of Judge Garrison in set
ting Lingo free. tits alleged that the jury
was unanimous in favor of his guilt and
that they would surely have convicted him
Of murder in the first degree had they been
allowed their say in the matter, When
Judge Garrison announced to the jury
that they should acquit Lingo, Juror jeff
RES leaned over to the foreman and was
heard to whisper TO him:
Fred, don't do it =
On the first trial Lingo was convicted of
murder IN the first degree, but his lawyers,
after sharp struggle, managed to have
the verdict set aside on the ground that it
was not in accordance with the evidence
and was rendered purely on circumstantial
evidence, without sufficient corroboratiye
proof.
HIS PREVIOUS ARREST.
Previous to being arrested for the murder
Of Mrs. Miller, Lingo was arrested on sus-
picion of having killed Miss Annie
Laconey. He succeeded, however, in
clearing himself of all suspicious.
Mrs. Miller was found murdered in
bush lot near MerChantyille on September
18th, 1880. Mrs. Miller had been to Mootes-
town to make call on relative and was
returning home when she was attacked in
the bush lot and met death at the hands
of all unknown assailant.
MEEcIIASTvILLE EXCITED.
The people of MerchaGtyile, N. j.,
where the murder was committed, were so
excited over the action of the court that
this afternoon they held all Indignation
meeting and adopted the following resolu-
tiOns
Resolved, That the citizens OF Merchantyijle,
In meeting assembled. do express their regret
at tho termination Of the trial Of Francis Lingo
Tor tho murder of Mrs. Miller, ana that ID
should have boon taken abruptly from the
hands o. me Jury and the accused murderer
should be liberated and set free In our midst
despite the TACT OF his previous conviction by q
Jury of his fellow-citizens and,
Resolrsd, That while this meeting docs not
question the legality 81 the courts action II tho
matter, they have viewed with al 4rm and
Indignation the decision OiNthe court, and Of
the methods adopted by the counsel for
defense.
A committee was appointed to wait on
the prosecutor, Wilson jenkins, and as
certain what steps can be taken to rid the
town Of Lingo, who is 50 feared by the
women that they do not dare to 60 alone
on the streets or stay alone in their homes.
The meeting then adjourned to meet 10
night in the school house
REJOICING AT MATcnrowH.
the feeling at Matchtown, suburb Of
Merehantyille, is one of rejoicing. This
is the habitation of the negro element.
and they are overjoycd at the release Of
is innocent