The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-05
KEEGAN FOUND GUILTY.
The Jury Judge Him the Murderer
Of Emily Chambers.
Conclusion Reached After Three Hours DeIberaton and
the Verdict Rendered This Morning
Petition Will Be Filed and in the Meantime Keesan
Cannot Be Sentenced.

day had given place to that OF the lamps.
But no one seemed, apparently, to notice
the fight of time. The audience sat
bending forward to catch every word
uttered by tho Attorney General. Mr..
Dubois spoke in a low tone during the
! greater part of his address, but at times
he would raise his voice until it rang
| through the court room. There was
no attempt at oratorical effect, but each
sentence uttered was telling and effec-
tive.
Then the Judge Arose
and addressed the jury as they stood in
their box before him. He occupied only
an hour, but during that time he carefully
presented the case of the State and de-
fense with equal impartiality, directing
tho jury's attention to every point which
II was in their province to consider. The
judge, in instructing the jury on the de-
finition Of q reasonable doubt, said:
The doubt which arises in your minds
on weig hing the testimony must be of
such weight as to cause you to
stop, and II such doubt arises then
the defendant is entitled to he benefit
of 1t. In relation to the alib4pI charge
you this--while some have held that an
alibi must be proven by preponderance
OF evidence, II the defendants alibi raises
a reasonable doubt in your minds he is
entitled to acquittal."
The case was then given to the jury and
the court adjourned until $3.50 o'clock
Tuesday.
Eefore tho opening of court this morning
it was learned that the jury had reached
an agreement and speculation was rife
as to Its nature. The jury room was
well filled when Keegan came in
accompanied by Deputy Thayer and took
the seat which he had occupied since the
beginning OF the trial. Then the jury
slowly filed in. Keegan watched them ner-
vously, but on the whole he bore the ordeal
well. A minute elapsed before Judge
Wilbur appeared, but in that minute
there was not one in the court room who
did not speculate whether the accused
would walk out OF the court room
a free man or be taken to his cell in the
basement again. The court arrived and
then Clerk Webster inquired, I" Mr.. Fore
man and gentlemen of the jury-In the
case OF the State against Lawrence G.
Keegan have you agreed upon your ver-
dict 2" The foreman nodded assent and
then the jury was
Counted For the Last Time.
"Shall your foreman speak for you ?"
continued Mr. Webster. again the jury
nodded assent, and Charles o. Buch arose.
Keegan was also told to stand and face
his judge. He trembled slightly as he arose
from his seat, but he betrayed no further
emotions.
prisoner look upon your jurors, jurors
look upon the prisoner. What say you
Mr.. Foreman and gentlemen of the Jury.
Do you find the prisoner at the bar guilty
or not guilty?"
"Guilty" rang through the court room,
but there was no commotion in the audi
ence.
Kcegau Dropped Into His Chair,
trying ordeal he has yet faced
was over. His cause had been decided
against him, but the awful suspense
was at end. GAS you say Mr.. Foreman,
so say you oil, gentlemen OF the jury"
continued the clerk. But no one listened
to this. The climax had been reached.
The Judge thanked the jury for their at
tention and dismissed them. A civil case
was callod and the machinery of justice
revolved as undisturbed as ever.
Keegan was taken to his cell but refused
TO talk. He passed the time until noon
| in smoking, when he was taken
back TO the prison. His brother visited
him in his cell and his counsel
spoke with him briefly. petition for
new trial will be made and the case carried
to the Appellate Court. Until decision
is reached before this tribunal Keegan
cannot be sentenced for the crime OF
which he has just been convicted.
Both Mr.. McGill and Mr.. Pierce were
somewhat surprised at the verdict, but
expressed no opinion as to its cause. Mr..
Dubois said he was glad that the case was
ended, and felt that the verdict was just
one. The prosecution claim that should the
court granta new trial they could put
forward even stronger case than before.
1 They claim to have found witness who
saw Keegan talking with the Chambers
woman shortly before the carriage was
hired on the Thursday OF the murder and
also say they can produce the man who
fired the two shots In the pasture.