The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-28


bled: "rhcy have found a verdict Of guilty
OF murder n the nrst degree
After the Jury had taken their seats ia
the jury box and been pOLed. Judge Crute
a ilcl them. Gentlemen, do you wish 10
retire 20 your rOOmY" Their foreman
Air. B. r.. Hunt. answered in the aibrm A.
tive. and they were taken 10 their room
while the spectators waited in GREATNESS
expectancy. The prisoner. Mary Aber-
nathy sat calm and unmoyed IN h~~
seat giving no indication of the fearful
anxiety that must have filed her mind.
a FEARFUL SUSPENSE.
Five minutes passed. and the sheriff,
returning 90 the courtroom. asked for a
pcn and ink ~ was given him, and
further delay followed. Then the jury
slowly returned to the courtroom, the
foreman bearing in his hand the indict-
mont upon which was endorsed the ver-
dict.
The foreman. questioned as 20 whether
they had agreed having answered. Mr..
j.. H. Thackston. the clerk. read the
verdict proc aiming the prisoner guilty OF
murder boo the first degree.
no demonstration whatever was made 10y
those assembled. Judge Crute having an-
nouuccd that he would allow none. Death
like stiffness prevailed for several min
utes. and che faces of counsel for the de-
defeat. After the verdict had been hand
ed BOO and corrected TO conform 10 the in-
dictmcut. on motion of Commonwealth
Attorney Watkins. Captain Guigon adj
dressing tine Judge. asked that the jury
he p0llcl. The verdict was read 10y the
clerk and each iuryman In turn answered
that I'D was his verdict.
ont OF abundant precauton. Judge
Crutc ordered that the verdict should bee
entered in the record book proper in the
presence of the jury. This was done and
the jury discharged.
MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
The Judge then announced that he was
rady Go hear any motion tnat counsel for
the defence wished to make, ana judge
FouruOy, arising, said:
1--WE wish to enter q motion for new
trial gnl am arrest Of sentence
Captain Wise whispered in his ear. and
lc alltd-"Ou the ground that this YER
dict is contrary TO the law and the evil
dtuce.'
"Vcry wel." said Judge Cute. 81 see
that Judge Mann and Mr.. Southail, Of
the prosecution are absent; bat / under
stand that they viii bee here in The morn
ing. I viii then hear whatever you al
wish 20 Say about The matter, or we can
take un tho case Of Pokey Barnes and ar
range The other later
"No. sIr" said Judge Flournoy. eve
wish 20 conclude this case before touch
ing the other
Judge Crutc acquiesced I'm this and court
then adjourned until o'clock tomorrow.
ONLY ONE BALLOT TAKEN.
No dlmculty whatever was experienced
by the jury in reaching a verdict Of guilty.
but one ballot being taken. Al day Sun
dav the jury considered the matter. Judge
Crute declined 10 permit them 90 attend
church. but furnished them Bibles and
hymn-hooks. and passers-hy were treatea
10 floods OF sacred melody.
At O'Clock to-day q ballot was taken,
with the result announced
While Many Alternately took the ver-
dict with comnosure and stoicism most
remarkable. her husband. old Wilson, was
overcome.
AS soon as he heard the fatal words he
retired 90 the cDurt-grcen and burst into
an agony of tears and lamentations. The
Ola man wouldn't be comf0rtcd. declaring:
'Ise mieliy low mighty low"
small purse was made mp by sympa-
thetic bys,andcrs and given him.
WILL 60 TO sUREAIE COURT
Counsel for the defence have four bills
n exception % the rulings Of the Court.
and upon these the case will go Co the
circuit Court and thence 20 the Supreme
Court. should Judge Crute deny the mo-
uon 90 set aside tho verdict Before it |
won't % tho Supreme Court on tochni- !
cahty, this time 90 viii 20 on it's merits |
There is u0 doubt that the verdict is o /
poi llar one here bat a great many peo- |
pie have expressed the opinion that the !
Cor monwealth utterly failed 10 prove the /
gun of thc accused beyond n reasonable |
doubt. The trial all through was con- |
Quoted with fairness and impartiality. |
AT the jurors have the reputation Of being |
hvh'ai substantial mon. IL. D. p