Evening journal., 1893-06-21
ACQUITTED OF MURDER
Miss Borden Discharged From
Custody at New Bedford.
SHE DROPPED LIKEANOX, NOOURT.

tors When the jury brought IN Its
Verdict of "Not Guilty"-Miss Borden
Besieged by Hundreds of Friends and
well-wishers- Governor Robinson Put
His Arm Around Her.
NEW BEDFORD, June 2t.-"The court
orders that you be discharged and go.
That is the summary of the last words
the old state of Massachusetts, said to Liz
zie Borden yesterday afternoon. Lizzie
Borden had cut great figure in the
court room before her acquittal. She had
come in showing every bit of the strain of
ten months in the custody of the witch
burners. As she rose from the chair
every one noticed that she added to her
extraordinary gracefulness a surprising
dignity Erect, with her head held
bravely up and with eyes that looked
tenderly and yet firmly into the faces
of her lawyers, she spoke a few words in
clear tone.
Gentlemen, l am innocent, said she
81 leave my counsel TO speak for me-
Then she resumed her seat, and the read
ing of the remarkable charge Of the
judges to the jury was the next proceed
ing. Then the jury retired.
"Lizzie Andrew Borden" said the
clerk of the court, stand up. She
arose unsteadily with face as white as
marble
Gentlemen, have you agreed upon
verdict?' said the clerk TO the jury
It was so still in the court that the
ilutter of two fans made great noise.
1 ns.l. l.
boldly.
The prisoner was gripping the rail in
front of the dock as if her standing up
depended upon its keeping its place.
Lizzie. Andrew Borden" said the
clerk, hold up your right hand
Jurors, look upon the prisoner.
Prisoner, look upon the foreman"
Every juryman stood at right. about.
face, staring at the woman. There was
such a gentle, kindly light beaming in
every eye that no one questioned the
verdict that was to be uttered. But God
save every woman from the feelings that
Lizzie Borden showed in the return look
she cast upon that jury. It was what is
pictured as the rolling gaze of dying
person. She seemed not to have the
power to move her eyes directly where
she was told to, and they swung all
around in her head. They looked at the
ceiling they looked at everything. but
they saw nothing It was a horrible a
pitiful sight to see her then.
"What say you, Mr.. Foreman ?" said
the gentle old clerk.
mot guilty" shouted Mr.. Richards.
At the words the wretched woman fell
quicker than ever an OK fell in the stock
yards Of Chicago. Her forehead crashed
against the heavy walnut rail OF the dock.
1t scanned that she must be stunned, but
she was not Quickly, with an uncon.
scious movement, she flung up both arms
and threw them over the rail and pressed
them under her face so that il rested on
them.
What followed was mere mockery, bus
it was the well governed order OF the
court and had to be gone through with.
you, on your oath, say" the old
clerk ratified on amid the tumult, that
Lizzie Andrew Borden is not guiltyG"
1--WE do, said the foreman.
$50 say you, Mr.. Foreman?"
81 do, said he.
$50 say you, gentlemen
1--WE do" said they all.
Lizzie Andrew Borden, said the
clerk, looking in vain at the empty
|
'the court orders that you be discharged
of your indictment and go thereof with
out bail"
Mr. Knowlton arose and addressed the
court
There are two indictments, be said
against the defendant charging tn,
same crimes in other forms. In view o.
the verdict and the case Just returned
l desire to now enter a mol. pros. in the
: other courts. Then turning to tn,
counsel for the defense he said 81 de
sire to sincerely congratulate you on th'
result of your labors.
The stern old roundhead went ovei
5 and shook hands with Ex-Governor
Robinson, but paid no attention to tn,
? woman he had worked so hard to con
Z vict in the Jealous discharge of hi
duty Mr.. Robinson lodged under thl
D rail of the bar and pushed by the nov
b. useless deputy who guarded the prisoner
1 He stepped down and put his fac
t against hers. Presently his left arm
r slipped round her. waist and, like the
= father he has been to her, he raised he
T. up.
This went on when the chief justic
was formally thanking the jury. This /
what the chief justice said:
g "The conrt desires to express its graft
q fcation at the faithfulness with whicl
: you have attended to the ardu Gus dutie
which have befallen you. We appreciat
! the hardships which you have undergone
u and the discomforts of this long trial i
such oppressive weather. But we hop
; you will recognize the fact that unde
our forms OF law all this was necessar
9 and that you will 60 to your homes wit
the assurance that your action will
approved. You are excused from furthe
attendance"
- Lizzie Borden Leaves Prison.
), FALL RIVER, Mass. June 9Th
news of Lizzie Borden's acquittal wa
received with the greatest surprise
this city. Even her warmest fri enc
r and most ardent supporters dared nj
hope anything better than a disagree
i. ment after reading the district attorney
N argument in behalf of the government
70 When it was flashed over the wire
o. that the prisoner had been acquitted