The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-13
CLIFFORD GUILTY.
Murder in the First Degree
With a Recommended
tion to Mercy.
COURT WON'T TAKE THE VERDICT
ES-Judge Hoffman Says His Client
Will Never Be Hanged
New Trial Asked.
'OuRT WON'T TAKE THE VERDICT


in this State a jury in murder case
brought in verdict of murder in the
first degree accompanied by a recommnn-
datson to mercy. This precedent was
established this morning by the presural-
ably intelligent struck jury which tried
Detective Edward Clifford for the nssr-
der of Superintendent William G. Watt
son on March 5.
The case was given to the jury about
three O'clock yesterday afternoon after
an able summing up by ex-Judge Hoff-
man and Prosecutor Winfield and a lucid
impartial charge by Justice Lipoincott.
1t is understood that on the first ballot
the vote was eight for murder in the
first degree and four for the second de-
gree. That changed afterward to seven
for first and five for second. They re-
manned that way until eleven P. NJ,
when they were locked up for the night.
The prevailing impression was that the
verdict would be murder in the second
degree or disagreement Some time
before the court convened this morning
word came from the jury room that an
agreement had z~been reached and that
it was first degree. Nobody, however.
anticipated the recommendation to mercy
as everybody except the jury knows that
death is the penalty in such a case. and
the Court, were it ever so willing. coa.d
not extend any mercy or modify the
penalty
few minutes after ten this morning
eilIord was brought over from the jail
Me looked pale and worried, the natural
result OF the strain upon his nervous sys-
TEN. The jury was brought in irnrae-
d1ately afterward. They looked pretty
wei worn out. In answer to the usual
question from Clerk Lees, Foreman
Alien said they had agreed upon YER
What say you, Mr. Foreman. do va,
find the defendant guilty or not glliltvSs'
asked the Clerk
Guilty of murder" answered the
foreman ALMOST in a whisper.
In what degree?'
Guilty Of murder in the first degrae.
Win recommendation 60 mercy.',
Ihe Court looked surprised
Ex-Judge Hoffman asked that the Jury
~ he p39aieu 9ieo ana IN JqSfsee Lppincott directed
man Aliens name was called he t9cl,
PEPPER from his pocket.
IhaI verdict can't be taken" " ex-
Canned ex-Judge Hoffman
Ine Court understands that remark
cd Justice Lipplncatf ssssssss, ID,
n1ust pc granddaughter or murder of the
fsfat or second degree
II the Court please.,' said Juror Frank
Y. Cole, the foreman was Instructed to
present our verdict and he should do
Lawyer speer got UP to suggest that
the jury be sent back. but Justice Lin
plncott interrupted him, remark1ng that
the .e,,, court would manage the jury.
Hhe jury said Justice Lippincott.
in how 1-;-I,r,
tney must give verdict in accordance
with the law
The jury was polled again, and as each
Guilty of murder in the first degree
Justice Lippincott thanked the iurorg
for the attention they had given the cass
ana dlscharged them. Instead of retir-
ing they remained standing where they
were, Foreman Allen still holding the
paper in his hand
Can we file this with the Court?. ne
What is ite' asked Justice Lippin-
cott =
1T is merely a petition from some OF
the jurors for mercy" explained Juror
''The Court has no business with it.
and can't receive it, said Justice Lip
pincott.
''can we file it with the counsel?" per.
You may do what you please with it.,
| replied Justice Lippincott, tersely, and
turning away. Clifford, who had listened
to the proceedings with deep interest
was taken away after Justice Lippincoti
had announced that sentence would be
pronounced one week from today. AS he
passed dcovn the aisle some of his friends
shook hands with him and expressed
their sympathy.
Judge Hoffman is greatly exercised
over the result cf the case. He will
for his client, and he declares positively
that Clifford will never be hanged.