The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-29
MUST Go TO PRISON
Bank Case Jury Finds the Collins
and Reed Guilty.
On All the Counts We're the Brothers
Convicted While Only a Few Stand
Against Their Bookkeeper.
MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL
Judge Baker Will Probably Sem
tence Haughey Next Monday.
Schuyler Haughey's Family Plead for
Him-Where Is the Money Planted?
Court Room Scenes.
MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL

Inc three defendants in the bank case,
Francis A. Coffin, Percival b. Coffin and
Albert S. Reed are guilty. Such is the YER
dict of the jury that has been trying the
case. The announcement that the verdict
would be opened and read in the federal
court yesterday morning served to attract
to the room a crowd much larger than the
room would hold. Long before 9 O'Clock
the room was crowded and by the time the
hour for converting had arrived it was i'm
possible to get near the main door Of the
court room. The crowd was not composed
of men alone, but fully a dozen women had
gained admission to the room and stood
upon chairs in the rear of the room and
watched the happenings that occupied but
a very few minutes time. The men, wom-
| en- and boys seemed to be packed into the
room closer than sardines in a box. 1t was
anticipated that the verdict would be guilty
so far as the two Collins were concerned,
but the finding Of the jury in Reeds case
was a surprise in some quarters. AL
through the case there has been an opin-
ion gaining ground that Reed should not
be convicted and it was upon the question
of his guilt that the jury remained out so
| long.
| 1t was exactly $50 o'clock when District
| Attorney Burke, John w. Kern, Lawson
eAN cOhL ~ INK AOASCa thCii
way slowly through the crowd that packed
the court room and took seats at their US
ual places. Following them came ex-Attor-
ney-general Miller and Ferd Winter, and
accompanying these two attorneys for the
| defense was William Z. Coffin. Three min
utes later Judge Baker appeared at the
door Of the court room where he was
blocked by the crowd. Marshal Hawkins
succeeded, after much shouting and push
ing back of the crowd, in opening a mar
row passage way for the judge. Immedi-
ately the three defendants filed into the
room and took their seats. They had hard
ly settled themselves in their chairs when
the jury filed slowly into the room and
| past the table at which the defendants sat.
F. A. Coffin watched them closely and
while his eyes looked inquiring his face
kept that same stolid look of fixed determ-
nation that has been noticeable through
out the trial. He was. to all appearances,
merely a very interested spectator and his
face had nothing about it to indicate that
he was one Of the three persons whose
fate hung in a balance and to whom the
next few minutes meant so much as it did.
His brother, w. f. Coffin. sitting next to
him, evidenced more concern in the result
than did f. A. Coffin. p. b. Cofin's coun-
tenance had just a suspicion of anxiety
about it. Even Reed sat with more appar-
ent composure than at former times,
though his eyes plainly showed that he was
not wholly composed.
1t was just 9 o'clock when the court was
convened. There was no time lost after
that. Judge Baker turned to the jury and
asked: Gentlemen, have you agreed upon
a verdict?' :
w have" was the answer of Joseph A.
Trotter, the foreman.
Judge Baker-You may pass it up to the
clerk.
The sealed envelope containing the ver-
dict was then handed TO Clerk Butler anu
by him handed to the Judge. Judge Baker
tore the envelope open and, drawing forth
the verdict read it silently and then passed
II to Clerk Butler who turned, facing the
jury and read as follows:
I'VE, the jury, find the defendants, Fran
els A. Coffin and Percival b. Coffin, guilty
as charged in all the counts, and Albert S.
Reed guilty as TO counts from 81 to 46, in
elusive.
JOSEPH A. TROTTER, Foreman
When the verdict was read the face of
T. A. Coffin did not change in expression.
He sat with his elbows leaning upon the
table and chin resting in his palms, look
ing intently at the jury. Not a muscle
moved when it was fully known to him
that the verdict of the jury meant at least
five years Imprisonment.
1t was not so with w. E. Coffin, sitting
beside him. The latter's face flushed very
red, and 1t was noticeable that he was
deeply affected. realizing what the verdict
meant TO his two brothers..
Reed looked nervous when the verdict
was handed up, and buried his face in his
hands while it was being read. AT its con-
Il nlu1fnn HE cnn uyh0 mos If- s--oo
diately behind him, leaned over and spoke
to him in a whisper and he nodded his
head.
After the verdict had been read the court
asked the jury if that was their verdict.
The jury answered that it was.
The Court-It ought to be amended by
inserting the words. "the counts in the in
dictment as charged'-as charged in all the
counts in the indictment.
The Foreman-That can be inserted.
The Court-The paper will be read to you
again as amended.
The insertion was made, ard Clerk Butler
I'VE, the jury. find the defendants. Fran
els A. Coffin and Percival b Coffin, guilty,
as charged in all the counts of the indict-
in the indictment from counts 81 to As, In
elusive.
The Court-Gentlemen, is that your ver-
dict?
The Jury-It is.
The Court-Is there a desire on the part
of the d~efendants-or either of them-that
the Jury be polled?
To this there was no reply. and the court
added: Gentlemen of the jury, the court
will not require that you shall remain long
er in service at the present time. Another
jury will be called for service probably
next week. The court, in parting with you
on this occasion. desires to return to you
it's sincere thanks for the patience, atten-
ton and intelligence that you have given
in listening TO the evidence and celebrating
on the verdict that you should return.
Il hardly need assure you. gentlemen of
the jury, that the court Is entirely satisfied
with the result of your labors. I need
hardly add that I believe the general pub
lie. not only in this State but everywhere
where the national bank laws obtain, will
feel that you have rendered efficient, in.
~telligent and honest public service. Trust
ing that nothing during your absence has
happened 10 any OF your families, the
court now. with its sincere thanks, dis
charges you for the present from service
in the court"
The court added a few words regarding
the time for which they were 10 receive
compensation.
ASK A NEW TRIAL.
Mr.. Miller-We desire on behalf OF the
defendants 10 make a motion until we car
AH