The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-20
NIGHT OF SUSPENSE.
Jury in Luetgert's Case Failed to Reach a
Verdict Yesterday.
RETIRED FOR THE NIGHT AT 9 O'CLOCK
Worn Out with Their I.nbors. Thcy
Wcrc Permitted go GO to Sleep
Disagreement tho II ost Likely Out.
come-Oncr ofn Bribe Most Pr0bn-
bly, Hoax.
Chicago, Oct. 10, 1897.


Another night of suspense Is ahead
for the defendant in the Luetgert case.
at O'Clock Tonight the jury had gone
to bed on cots, placed in the court room,
ana 1t was announced by Judge Tuthill
that even though by one chance in q
million, the jurors should wake up and
agree upon n verdict there would be
no announcement and the court room
would under no circumstances be OPEN
ed until 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning.
Judge Tuthill went directly to the
court room. where he was told by the
baliifs In charge OF the jury that
several of the jurymcn were almost cx-
hlustcd by the ordeal to which they
had been subjected during the last 80
hours, and that if they were not allow
cd some rect it would certainly result
In some of them being i'll. The Jury
also sent word 'thut there was no imme-
date prospect of an agreement, and
under the circumstances the Judge gave
orders chat they be permitted to drop
the case and go to sleep. The cots were
quickly dragged into the courS room
and Within a few minutes every juror
was stretched out at full length, and
all consideration of the case was off un-
I'll they should wake III the morning
Judge TuthIll. after giving directions
that all things possible be done for the
comfous of the jury, left the building
for his home.
States Attorney Deneen remained in
his Office until all hope of verdict to-
night had been abandoned. He is still
hopeful of Il verdict, but naturally
looks upon Il disagreement as the most
likely outcome.
Over In the jail Luetgert was. during
the evening anXiously awaiting word
from The jury room. He tried as usual
TO Keep up an appearance of indlffer-
ence, and as usual made 4 failure Of 1t,
The opinion around the Criminal
Court tonight was that all chance OF n
verdict has disappeared and that the re-
suit is practically certain to be a dis
agreement. 1t Is considered possible
and even probable that the State will
have nine or ten of the jury men, and
the defense the remainder. The chances
tonight. however, seem TO favor n dis
agreement OF eight for conviction and
four for acQuittal
ATTEMPTED BRIBERY.
Two letters offering bribes to the fore
man of the jury in the Luetgcrt case
have been received by Judge Tuthill
anu are now IN the possession Of the
States Attorney. States Attorney
penecn is not disposed to regard the at
tempted bribery seriously, but Inspecto or
Setback and Assistant States Atu,r-
ney McEwcn look upon the matter with
suspicion. The first letter was received
last Monday morning 1t was dated
October 10th. the day upon which it
was originally believed the case would
20 to the jury. IT reads:
MI. Foreman:
Dear Slr-A powerful influence is at
work TO save AdoIph L. L.uctrcrt
Money is scarce ana in these hard times
S!oo or so comes In handy. / have
Si.6oo 10 divide among you twelve men.
ii you want it have two good men.
smooth faced, that are discreet at the
southeast conner Of Randolph and Dear
born streets tomorrow at l O'Clock II. IN
Let them wear white linen ncckties, or
II they prefer il. red bow ties Every
thing Will be all right. The money is
secure in a Clark street bank.
GEORGE ATRILL."
The second letter is under date Of
october 18th and is also addressed 10
The foreman of the Luetgert jury. 1t is
as follows:
Dear Sir-Why didn't you have the
young men at the southeast corner of
Randolph and nearborne streets as
suggested? In the present hard times
Sl0o is pretty useful. If you will agree
10 vote Luctgert free we can yet ar
range matters. send the young men to-
morrow. GEORGE ATRILI,."
Judge Tuthil opens all mail sent TO
the jurors. and IN this way these let
terS fell into his hands. His Honor
is inclined to regard the letters as n
hoax, as is also Mr.. Denecn. In fact
the States Attorney THINKS the letters
We're gotten up by crlterprsing news
paper reporters. Both letters were
written on fine linen paper in good pen
manship and enclosed In white linen
envelopes.