The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-27
Judge Baker Delivers Lengthy Instrue-
tions in Concluding the Trial OF
the Collins aud Reed.
NO SIGN OF A VERDICT
The Jury Comes into Court at 8
NJ, but Retires Again.
Joseph III. Trotter, Of Columbus, Chosen
FOreman-Speech of District Attor.
ney Burke-Court Room Scenes.

The fate OF Francis A Coffin. Percivai
B. Coffin 'and Albert s. Reed was put In
the hands Of the jury at 305 o'clock yes
terday afternoon, and at 3 O'Clock this J.
morning the jury was still out There was
a general impression last night that the
jury was satisfied OF the guilt OF the Cof-
fins. but hesitated In the matter OF con-
victing A. s Reed. Shortly before mid
night the Jurors were preparing 10 sleep
in their rooms.
Before 3 o'clock a large crowd had con-
gregated In the court room In anticipation OF
the possibility or verdict having been
reached. This idea was dispelled. however.
by glance into the grand jury room. where
the jury was confined. There 1t was seen
that the members had. for the time at
least, ceased deliberation upon the case.
and il was not thought likely that they had
thus soon agreed upon verdict Peter
Stoner, OF Putnam county. was lying
stretched full length upon a desk and John
o. Young was reading newspaper. while
Joseph A. Trotter. of Columbus. was pac-
ing back and forth across the floor IN his
shirt sleeves. There was much speculation
as to the probable verdict that would event.
ually be reached. Some thought the re-
suit would be a hung jury in the end.
while others thought the result would be
conviction. Yet others expressed their be-
lief that the Collins would be found guilty
and Reed acquitted. Yet withal 1t was mere
guess work. as there was nothing what
ever upon which to base an opinion.
few minutes before 9 o'clock the three
defendants, accompanied by ". E Coffin.
of New York. and Charles Henry Coffin.
OF Chicago, their brothers. and their
attorneys came into the court
room. The face of +. A. Coffin had q
worn look. not surprising under the circum-
stances, though his carriage and manner
was the same polite. courteous demeanor
that he has borne throughout the trial.
The defendants took their usual seats at
the table and waited for Judge Baker TO
appear. 1t was several minutes before he
came in and then the jury was summoned.
AS the twelve men filed into the room and
past the table at which the defendants
sat the eyes OF f. a. Coffin scanne Sch one
inquiringiy, in a natural !. me
indication of their feelT.s. The Juror
filed slowly by and took their seats far
the Judge. When all had been seated yu
Baker turned to them and asked: Gent.
men. have you agreed upon a verdict?''
Joseph A. Trotter, of Columbus. arose
from his seat, eyidencing the fact that he
had been chosen foreman. "We have not
fully agreed yet" was his answer TO the
| question Of the court.
BY Judge Baker-Do you think IL is like
ly that you will agree within hour or
two?
Mr.. Trotter-we may agree within that
| time but 1 cannot tell now.
By Judge Baker-If you agree by IL
| O'Clock you may have the bailifr call me
| and / will receive your verdict tonight.
| If you fail 10 arrive at verdict by that
| time and do agree before 3 o'clock Monday
morning you may seal your verdict and
| give il into the hands OF your foreman.
| You may then separate and assemble here
at O'Clock Monday morning. Let me ad-
| rnonsh you that in case you seal your ver-
| dict and separate not TO talk to any one
about your deliberations nor permit any
one to talk to you, and If anyone attempts
10 talk with you about your deliberations
admonishs SHIN that you are forbidden TO
| talk of the case 1t is OF the utmost i'm
| portance If you bring in a sealed verdict
| that nothing happens between that time
and Monday morning TO disqualify you
from the further consideration Of the case
| when you assemble here Monday morning.
Let me caution you that should you at
| tempt to separate without having arrived
at a verdict IT would be contempt OF court
| and punishable such II you have not
| arrived at conclusion tomorrow morning,
| YOU may separate and go TO your break
| fasts at the usual time and then return to
| your deliberations. If you do not agree
| unof a verdict before the hour for dinner
| YOU may again separate and return after
that meal 10 your deliberations. You may
| also do this for supper tomorrow night
| and breakfast MonJay morning in the
event that you do not agree upon a verdict
before that time. You may now retire
| with the bailif.
Then in charge of Bailiff Taylor the jur-
ors once more filed from the court room
and into the grand jury room. The crowd
| slowly dispersed and the defendants. ac-
companied by their attorneys. withdrew to
| the offices of the latter.
Eleven O'Clock came and passed and no
verdict had been agreed upon and the crowd
| that had been waiting in the court room
10 hear the verdict left at that hour. II
| was apparent from a peep into the grand
| Jury room that the jurors had idea OF
| bringing in a verdict last night Mr.. Trot-
| ter was lying upon desk reading paper.
| Mr. Good was pacing up and down the
| floor and others were scattered about the
| room lying upon desks reclining ia
| chairs. In the court room the crowds as
| sembled there kept a continual watch upon
the grand jury room through the windows.
| The gossip about the court room was 20
the effect that a verdict of guilty had been
agreed upon in the case OF the Collins and
that the jury was divided as 70 the fate Of
! Reed. A few minutes after IL o'clock
Marshal Hawkins came TO the door OF the
court room and announced that there would
be no verdict returned last night ana the
crowds dispersed
The three defendants were waiting in the
office OF their attorneys across the street
for any announcement that verdict had
been reached. A few minutes before II
o'clock W. E. Coffin and Charles Henry
Coffin came over to the court room ana
| remained TIL it was announced that no YER
dict would be returned. For twenty
six days the noted bank case has been on
trial, and in minntiae Of detail II mas PROD
ably never been equaled in the history OF
the federal court here. The evidence mas
in a great measure had reference 10 book
accounts and was dry and tedious to all
save thsse whose liberty wss at stake
and To the counsel In the case The fy