Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-12-17
VERDICT In EASTMAN CASE.
Jury, After Three Hours Delhi
Grafton, and Taking Ballot,

voluntary iianSlaughter-Fh First
Ballot Stood Six for Acquittal and
Six for First Degree Murder, But
There Was Little Difficulty About
Reaching an Observation-Disclosures
Imposed This Morning Fearing a
Demonstration, the Mayor Ordered
All saloons Closed Last Night.
PARSONS, w. Va, December, To-
The jury in the Eastman case return
ed verdict of guilty of involuntary
manslaughter, at 5: Oh O'Clock this
afternoon, after being out just three
hours.
The verdict; though practical vic
tory for the defense, was unexpected
The majority of the people locked
for either an acquittal on a hung
jury.
While they were celebrating only
two ballots were taken, the first
standing six for acquittal and six
for murder in the first degree. This
effected compromise after a con-
siderable discussion.
When the verdict was announced
Judge Holt Immediately ordered a
recess until o'clock this evening.
Eastman was at once surrounded
by his friends, who warmly congratu-
lated him cordially took his hands. His
equaminity was not in the least dis
turbed by these demonstrations of
friendship and, after thanking them,
he retired with the sheriff to the jail
to await the sentence of the Court.
Shortly before o'clock the court
room began to fill with people. But
one dim lamp furnished illumination
for the dingy, close apartment, and
the people arriving with lighted lam
terms made the scene interesting and
strange The mayor, when the YER
dict was publicly announced, fearing
a demonstration on behalf of Col.
Eastman, ordered all of the saloons
closed at o'clock
Judge Holt came into court at 7:30
o'clock. The crowd was breathless
with expectations, waiting to hear the
verdict, when the judge coolly ordered
the prisoner remanded to the custody
of the sheriff and court adjourned I'M
til 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.
A large number of instructions
were offered by counsel on both sides.
Judge Holt returned defendants
counsel their instructions on self
defense, but added a mod ification de-
destroying the instruction entirely,
whereupon Col Eastham's counsel
retired for consultation, and as the
result thereof directed Col Arnett
to argue in favor of striking out the
notifications and made feasible the
defendants plea of self-defense
This change of the Judge
was much of surprise to the
defendants counsel and of decided
benefit to their case. Without the
change the case of the defense, as far
as the judge and his instructions
were concerned, was hopeless.
THE SENTENCE.
This morning at 9 o'clock the
prisoner was brought into the court
room and the sentence was passed
1t was that Col. Eastman spend
two years in the county jail in close
confinement. AS the verdict was
only for a misdemeanor the sentence
was not expected to be more than
one year as the code expressly pro
vides that as thc iieit. Where the
judge gets his a;',nrity for such 4
verdict has hot sen developed. He
has some reason for 1T evidently but
how and where the justification is
found is not known to any Of the To-
cal bar
The prisoner took the verdict in a
very philosophic manner and was at
once taken back to the jail. An APP
peal will doubtless be taken.
w. ~. U. VIII Probably be Organized
Mrs. N. r. c Morrow, of Fair
mont, is in town and tonight will
address the ladies of Morgantown
on the subject of organizing a branch
of the w. c. T. Z. The meeting will
be held at eight o'clock, in the lee
ture room of the Methodist church.
All interested are most earnestly
urged to be present.
On tomorrow afternoon at the same
place, Mrs Morrow will address the
Woman's League.