The herald., 1895-12-18
Not Guilty of the Killing of Billy
Hunter
ONLY OUT FIFTEEN MINUTES
The Case Was Submitted TO the Jury
Without Argument
The Defendant Tells His Story on the Witness
Stand With Good Eifect--Gen.
eral Court News

1t took the jury only fifteen minutes to
acquit P. S. McAnerny of the murder of
Billy Hunter. The taking OF testimony
was concluded between 8 and o'clock,
when recess of twenty minutes was taken
to give the attorneys an opportunity tor pre-
pare their instructions, which were unusu-
ally brief. There was no argument, and in
quarter of an hour from the time the
jurymen left the box they we're back in
their seats with verdict of not guilty, only
one ballot being taken. McAnerny took
the result very coolly, and after receiving
the congratulations of his friends, walked
out of the courtroom with his wife free
man.
When the court adjourned Monday after
noon the outlook for McAnerny was any
thing but encouraging. Young Colan. who
was one Of the party in the saloon on the
night of the tragedy, had testified posi-
lively to having seen the knife in Mean
erny's hand. and saw him strike the fatal
blow. He further testified that McAnerny
followed him and the others out, and that
there was no fight, nor was any one at any
loon was composed of Murray, Coian,
Hunter and McAnerny, and everything
was apparently against the latter.
Yesterday morning, however, the situa-
ton changed. and when the defense COM
menced putting in testimony it was at
once seen that McAnerny mad good case.
During tho day the following Witnesses for
Arthur Verde, h. 5. Clements, P. Nc
Anerny. d. ID. Gridley, w. j. Kelly, N.
Bousher. Mary Gridley. James Murray,
William Colan, Mrs. M. Abbott, T. W.
Mayhem, w. H. Murray, Mrs. P. S. Nc
Anerry, Frank Swift, w. A. Hammel, G.
Ga0aki r r Marian, no Iaeonda,k
McAnerny, and Dan Moriarty.
McAnerny told his story in a straightfor-
ward manner, and as it was shown that he
was man of good character, and he was
furthermore corroborated in many details,
it was evidently believed by the jury.
McAnerny said that he:had been in town
with his wife on the night of the tragedy,
and on his return home went to butcher
shop to pay bill. He then went to the sa-
loon, where he met Murray, who asked him
to throw dice for the beer. He agreed, and
then Murray made side bet of l 5 cents
with him. McAnerny says that he threw
three times with Murray, beating him
every time. This enraged Murray, who
struck at him. He returned the blow and
the fight was getting interesting when Hun
ter and Colan came to Murray's assistance.
Nc Anerny says that he then ran out of the
saloon, 70 lowed by the three men
who overlook him. and knocked
him down. He struggled to his
feet, and again ran, when he was
once more overtaken and knocked down.
Again he struggled to his feet, and again he
was knocked down. All took hand in
the melee, in the course of which he was
kicked in the face, almost having his eye
knocked out. McAnerny says be was dazed,
and when he got ON his feet started to run
home. but mistook the way and went ia the
opposite direction, and was discovered by a
mail carrier sitting OH beer keg and taken
to his home. McAnerny positively denied
that he had knife on the night in ques-
ton, or that he cut Hunter. In fact, he
did not know that any one had been seri-
ously hurt until he was told of it later.
There was no disposition to argue the
case on either side and, as stated in the be-
ginning, the result was soon reached.
As usual during murder trials the court
room was crowded during the entire day.