The record-union., 1893-06-21
LIZZIE BORDEN ACQUITTED.
A CELEBRATED MURDER TRIAL
BROUGHT TO A CLOSE.
The Jury Brings In Verdict of Not
Guilty-Accused Released
From Prison.
Special to the REcoRp-UN1ox.

Speclal 10 the RECORD-UNION.
New BEDFORD (Mass.), June 20.-The
celebrated murder trial of Lizzie Borden,
who was charged with the murder of her
stepmother and father, came to an end to-
day, the jury rendering a verdict of not
guilty. The jury was out but twenty
minutes.
When the case opened this morning
the room was crowded with spectators.
After the prosecution had finished with
its summing up of the case, Judge Dewey
delivered his charge to the jury. He
cautioned the jury to weigh the evidence
to see whether defendants permanent
state of mind showed a motive for the
crimes. Every material allegation in the
indictment must be proved beyond rea-
sonable doubt. That is, to moral GER
tainty. He compared the direct and cir
cumstantial evidence and said the failure
to prove the essential fact would be fatal.
But the failure to prove the fact might
not be. Lizzie's statements about the
note were discussed at length. He said
they must be satisfied they were false.
Every fact proved must be reasonably
consistent with guilt. The Government
did not show any body else had an oppor-
tunity to commit the crime, but must
prove the defendant committed it. The
jury must reason as to the effect Of de-
fendant's conduct and statements. They
were not to conclude by expert testi-
mony, but were to apply to it a reason
able Judgment. They might convict if
satisfied the act was done by another
party, but that the defendant was present,
aiding and abetting, fact defendant did
not testify should not influence them
against her.
Judge Dewey, continuing said: "The
Government claims that these acts came
under the head of murder in the first de-
gree. The law claims that in order to
prove this every claim must be proved
beyond reasonable doubt. 1t has been
stated that the Government presents the
case on circumstancial evidence 1t is
understood by the court that the Govern
ment claimed that the essential fact was
embraced in the note matter; that she
made statements which she knew were
false when she was making them, but
contemplates the possibility of there
being an assassin. Might he not come
upon her when the note was at hand, and
removed it as one of the links? In cir
cumstancial evidence, unless every link
holds good the chain is worthless"
The jury was asked to bear in mind the
supposed fact that there was nothing to
connect the defendant with the murder
as far as outward appearances went
At the conclusion of the charge the at
torneys consulted few moments. and
then the jury was allowed to retire.
1t was just 4:3O o'clock when the spec
tators, who had kept their seats patiently
during the retirement of the jury, no.
ticed movement indicating their return.
A moment later the twelve men fled into
their seats and were polled Miss Borden
was asked to stand up, and the foreman
was asked to return verdict, which he
announced, mot guilty" Then all the
dignity and decorum of the courtroom
vanished. A cheer went uD which might
have been heard a mile away, and there
was no attempt to check it. Miss Bor-
deus head went down upon the rail in
front of her and tears came. Mr.. Jen-
nings was almost crying, while DR.. Ad-
ans seemed incapable of speech. As
soon as possible, the room was cleared
and when the spectators had finally gone
Miss Borden was taken to the room of
the Justices, and allowed to recover her
composure with only the eyes of friends
upon her and the caress of devoted ad-
mirers. AT the expiration of an hour she
was placed in carriage and driven to
the station, where she took the train for
Fall River, her home no longer, proba-
bly,, but still the only objective point for
the immediate present.