The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-23
MONSON Acquitted.
Who Killed Lieutenant HnmbrOugh
at ArdInmont Still IA Mysterx

"
EDINBURGH, Dec. 22.-The Artllamont
murder mystery will remain a myestery in
the minds of most people probably for all
time to come. To-day Alfred j. Monson.
who was charged with insuring the life
of Lieutenant Hambrough and then killing
him in the woods of the Ardlamont es-
tate while both were hunting, was acquit-
ted, the jury bringing In a verdict Of mot
proven"
When court convened this morning Mr.
Thomson began, in clear and confident
tones. the address on behalf of the pris-
oner. Counsel said that the case for the
crown was founded only upon motive and
circumstantal evidence, and he claimed il
was not supported by direct testimony
The motive, Mr. Thomson added, was insult
ficient to condemn, and it was scarcely al
lowable that this otherwise weak case
should be bolstered up by the presence of
the imaginary motive. Coming to details.
Mr.. Thomson said that the bulk of the evil
dence showed that so long as Lieutenant
Hambrough lived Monsoon could live i'm
comparative comfort. Counsel contended
that the mysterious 'Scott's' absence was
distinct disadvantage to Monson, in
whose favor he might have testified Low
ering his voice and amid the silence of
the court counsel said impressively, that
this was the greatest calamity which ever
befel MonSon-that this man Scott was
unable to testify. Mr.. Thomson then pro-
ceeded to argue that the idea of scuttlin.;
the boat in order TO drown young Ham
brough was absurd. when Monsoon could
have easily tipped the lieutenant over the
side OF the boat. In the concluding part of
his speech counsel reviewed the evidence
dealing with the actual death, declaring
that the shot experiments showed that if
the gun was fired at the distance the pros
ecution alleged it could not have caused
the wound in Hambroughs head Counsel
for the defense closed his address with an
eloquent warning TO the jury not to con-
denim an innocent man, and picturng their
feelings in the event that the affair was
afterwards unraveled.
The court then adjourned for lunch after
which the judge commenced summing up.
He dwelt upon the fact that as the case
was one of purely circumstantial evidence
every link should be sounded and thor
oughly welded into the next. The judges
summing up was generally thought to be
The jury retired at 1852 p. m. and Mon
son was taken through the trap door to
were again seated in their places, and the
prisoner reappeared. looking as calm
ever The judge put the usual question to
the Jury, after which the foreman arose
and said in a clear voice: mot proven on
both issues" There was some applause in
court, and it was caught up outside the
building when the news spread that the.
prisoner had not been found guilty: and,
moment later. three rousing cheers were
heard from those who had attended the
4 The Judge then dismissed the jury, and
MonsOn, after having shaken hands with
his lawyers, once more descended TO his
cell through the much-noticed trap door.
in order TO collect the papers he had left
there. Upon this journey. however, Mon
sph w Te so mS' afferwards left the buildng
by q back way in order TO avoid the
crowd. driving away at once in cab