The morning call., 1893-08-06
EDWARDS Is FREE.
Acquitted in Short Order
by the Jury.
THE JUDGES DIRECT CHARGE
Edwards Surrounded by Friends Who
COngratulatesfiim on His Ex-
oneratiOn.

Rev. Rodney Edwards. at one time as
sistant rector of Trinity Episcopal Church,
formerly superintendent OF the Croker
Old Peoples Home, and now OF Palestine.
Tex, was yesterday acquitted by jury in
Judge Daingerfield's court of the crime Of
ENLIGHTENMENT; the charge being that he
had misappropriated $500. money belong
ing 10 Mrs. Alice Anne Allen.
The same scene was witnessed in court
as on the three preceding days Brother
clergymen were there in profusion, while
the same bevy of the fair sex gathered
around the defendant. Edwards appeared
cool and unconcerned. and chatted gayly
with all around him.
All the arguments being in. it only re-
NAMED for Judge Dangerfeld to deliver
his charge to the jury. But before he did
so. Attorney Ash rose and made a few
remarks. Calling attention to the stress
laid by the prosecution on the absence of
Rev. Mr. Foute from the witness-stand, he
explained that Mr.. Foute had been duly
subpenaed. but was unable to appear. He
sent his deputy, who was excused.
Ash then proceeded to condemn Attor-
ney Barry's remarks concerning Edwards
brothers of the cloth, who had given testi-
mony in his favor, and he further called
attention to the fact that, whereas so
many reputable persons had come for
ward to say good word for the defend
ant. there had been none such found to
perform similar Office for the prosecuting
witness, Mrs. Allen.
All this taking the nature more or less OF
a supplementary speech for the defense,
Assistant District Attorney Black, who
represented Hosmer, put in a mild objec-
ton. saying that he "had always under
stood that the prosecution was supposed
to make the closing argument" Ash,
however. explained that he was only call
ing the Judges attention 10 some points
he wished made mention of in the charge.
Judge Dangerfield thereupon COM
menced to instruct the jury. He called at
tention to the defendant being there on an
indictment by the Grand Jury, and then
clearly defined the law on embezzlement.
Ii the jury believed that Mrs. Allen in
trustPd this money to Edwards on a stipu-
latioh calling for interest. the fact that
Edwards did not repay this money i'm
mediately on demand did not of itself con-
stltute the crime Of embeZzlement, and if
he took the money openly and avOwedly,
acting in good faith, he was not guilty.
There could be no crime without intent.
Reviewing the testimony in the case the
Judge said that if the jury disbeieved GER
tain statements made by Mrs. Allen on the
witness stand they were at liberty to ex-
Glade the whole Of her testimony; also the
previous good character Of Edwards, if
duly proved. should weigh strongly with
jury. In a similar way the bad character
Of the prosecuting witness, If so proved,
should have similar weight.
Referring to the power of attorney held
by Edwards, the Judge appeared to re-
gard this as one of the most important
pieces Of evidence in the case If they be-
lieved the testimony Of Notary Craig and
his Clerk Linforth, together with that OF
the defendant himself, regarding this DOW
er OF attorney. then it was evident that
Edwards had full control of the old lady's
property with her full consent and desire,
In such case. and it being shown that
Edwards invested Mrs. Aliens money as
best he knew, there was no embezzlement.
The Judge then ordered the Jury 10 re-
tire.
Edwards had looked anxious when the
first words fell from the Judges lips, but
as the charge proceeded his brow cleared.
and when the jury retired he wore a look
of quiet confidence. AS tie time wore on,
the only fear seemed to be that OF dis
agreement.
However. after two hours elaboration
the jury returned into court and formally
announced verdict of not guilty. The
scene that followed was quietly demon
strative. Edwards returned the embrace
OF his wife affectionately, and then cor
daily shook hands with the throng that
surrounded him. Fair faces beamed with
smiles. brother clergymen giowed with
satisfaction that their order had not been
disgraced. and all around reigned hap
piness.
When tho court was cleared Edwards,
speaking to friend, said that he had felt
his position keenly He had been roasted
in the newspapers, and. he thought, I'M
justifably. Now that he was clear. he was
going back to his quiet little parish in
Texas. where he had been rudely dis
turbed by an officer whose name he did not
remember. but whom he characterized
with shudder as ''that big policeman"
All would be peace now. he thought.
1t is understood that the jury on their
first ballot stood to 4 in favor of an
acQuittal, and 1t took seven ballots to
bring the jury together. What finally
caused an acauittal was. it is said, the i'm
preston created by the Judges charge,
which the jury held to be tantamount to a
direction to acQuit.