Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-17
MRS. FARRALL's AcQUITTAL
The Prosecutor Claims the Maryland jury,
Law is Defective.
The Accused, the Lawyers md tho
Jury Have a CongratulatOry Din
ner mt the Hotel.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
LA PLATA, Nd, July 17.-After a period
OF unprecedented excitement the little town
or La Plata has almost resumed its normal
condition OF peace and quiet. The great
Farrall murder trial IL a thing Of the past.
and for years to come the inhabitants Of
Charles county will undoubtedly refer to
the case as the most important criminal
event In the history Of southern Maryland.
AS stated In The Star yesterday, the YER
dict acquitting Mrs. Farrall met with the
most pronounced approval. This was at.
tested by an outburst Of applause following
the announcement and later the cheers Of
hundreds Of men as the widow smilingly
left the town hall
The scene was an unusual one just before
the jury reported. There were thousands
or people scattered about the town. When
one OF the bailins in charge Of the jury ap,
peared In the doorway of the Jury room and
announced that decision had been reached
the news spread like wildfre, and imme.
diately there was grand rush from ali az
rections to the hall. The people were foo
excited to be seated, and the sight was onA
seldom witnessed in a court Of Justice The
jury had filed in, and Mrs. Farrall was be-
side her customary seat, when Judge Brfs.
coe. with provoking GOODNESS raped for or.
der and directed the bailiffs to take their
places at the entrances to the hall The
judge then severely admonished the spec.a.
tors to make no demonstration over the
verdict. but little heed was paid to the
warning after the words mot guilty" had
passed the lips of Foreman Owen. Pande-
monium ensued. and nearly every one
crowded about the fair woman who had
been on trial for her life. After Mrs Fars
rail- had thrown her arms about the neck OF
COL Wilmer, the first to grasp her hand i'd
congratulation was Sheriff Albrittain.
A party then adjourned to Col. Wilmer'e
Office, where Mrs. Farrall held brief re-
ception. The twelve jurymen were present.
ed in turn to the woman they had decided
was innocent. and speeches were made BY
Col Wilmer and his associate. Mr.. Mudd,
Mrs Farrall, Sheriff Albrittain and the Jury
then retired to the hotel for dinner the
late prisoner occupying the head of the
table with the sheriff on her left and the
foreman at her right. During the meal she
appeared extremely happy, and conversed
with those about her in vivacious man
ner A large crowd gathered outside the
windows Of the hotel, and were interested
spectators of what was transpiring in the
dining room. At the conclusion of dinner,
Mrs. Farrall again thanked each of the ju-
rors. and was driven to the residence of the
sheriff at Port Tobacco. just before leav-
ing La Plata she met one Of her brothers,
Leaf Robey, and In view of every one they
kissed and embraced for several moments.
For the present, Mrs. Farralf will reside
with a cousin. Mrs. Scott Hicks, at White
Plains, Charles county.
But two ballots were taken in the jury
room. The result of the first, it is under
stood. was nine for acquittal, one for con-
viction and two undecided. The second bal
lot was unanimous for verdict of not
guilty.
ct would not have had a hung jury for
$780," said States Attorney Matthews to
The S.ar correspondent. Both Mr.. Mitch
ell and myself have regarded 1t as fore
gone conclusion that Mrs. Farrall would be
acquitted, and the outcome Only tends to
prove the fallacy of the jury system" Mr..
Mitchell who conducted the prosecution.
declared that a jury of twelve men will
never convict a pretty woman Of murder
in the first degree.
Those connected with the case were ut
terly worn out by the trial The court sat
daily from am. until pm, and the
mass of expert testimony made the pro-
ceedings especially wearisome.