Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-10-29
JURY SAYS NOT GUILTY
TOOK ONE BALLOT ONLY TO DECIDE IT.


The Jury in the Thomas murder
trial came into court shortly after 2
o'clock this afternoon with a verdict of
not guilty. Judge Norrell Immediately
ordered the defendants discharge, and
In few minutes Mrs. Thomas was
surrounded by hundred or more col
ored people who congratulated her on
her liberation. The jury came to
decision on the first ballot, and In less
than fifteen minutes after they had re-
tired to their rooms. They were then
taken to lurch and on their return
sent word 10 Judge Norrell that they
had agreed upon verdict. The result
ocoasioncd no particular surprise and
seems to meet with general approval.
The proceedings this morning opened
up with the continuation of Mr.. Rhen's
argument He was followed by Mr..
Hutchinson.
Both made excellent arguments in
behalf Of the defendant. Mr. Van
Colt closed for the State. His address
only occupied ten minutes time. His
concluding words We're very affecting.
At ll:45 Judge Norrell charged the
jury, concluding at 1910. At 1919 the
jury We're taken to their rooms by
Deputy Sherifs Gulbransen and Levey
and at 2:l5 the verdict was announced.
At the close of DIR. Pixies examina-
ton yesterday afternoon both sides
rested and Mr.. Putnam began the
opening arguments for the State. He
said that Mrs. Thomas was RESPONSE
1.1 ..f H.p I.fa.. "A I'D
ought to suffer the consequences.
Mr. Putnam was followed by Attor-
ney G. p. Rhea of counsel for defense.
MIR. Rhea, after reviewing the testi-
mony, said that the admission of DR..
Pike that Mrs. Thomas might have
been insane ought to clear her. Mr..
Rhea had not concluded his argument
when court adjourned at o'clock.
THE CLOSING SCENES.
When court opened this morning
Mr.. Rhea resumed his argument.
Among other things he said that in
order for the physicians to properly
diagnose the defendants case 1t was
necessary to go into her family history.
Counsel contended that all men were
n little off on some questions while
they be perfectly reasonable and ra-
tional on others. The mind is often
agitated by jealousy. After Il man or
woman mas Dteu SO tfOuDltu IL lS
frequently said that he or she Is
affected mentally. When the deceased.
Samuel Thomas, met the McAfee
woman Il black serpent entered his
home and destroyed 1t. From that
time on Cora Thomas lost her name.
Her husbands continuous absence
caused her to lose all hope. on the
night preceding the shooting she knelt
In humble prayer asking the Almighty
TO cause that her hayward husband
might see the error of his ways and
retrace his steps. She presented
similar petition to the jury in this case
and begged forgiveness for herself.
Mr. Hutchinson followed Mr.. Rhea
and closed for the defense. He said
that in order to determine the case all
the facts would have to be considered.
Was the defendant responsible for the
act of shooting her husband? The tes-
tmony showed that insanity was
prevalent in her family. That was the
turning point of the case. All the
physicians had agreed that the law OF
heredity controlled both the physical
and mental. The evidence showed that
the defendant for years past had been
troubled with nervous eXcitability and
mental depression.
The consent Of the court having been
given, Mr.. Hutchinson read a treatise
on insanity by Hamilton. The case
cited was of an insane woman who at
tempted to take the life of child,
begging not to be left alone with II and
recalling all that transpired. This au-
thority. counsel commended. varied with
the statement made by DR.. Pike who
said that II Mrs. Thomas had been
insane. the night of the shooting, she
would not have been able to recall her
actions. Hamilton cites a case and
says that person can recall what
occurred during fit Of temporary in
sanity and Doctors Scott and Mecham
I'D ole M IN ha firm
There was cause for all mental dis
cases. The defendants reason was
dethroned the night she committed the
crime, The disease with which she
had TOR years been troubled got the
better OF her own the night of June
the Sth. resulting in her taking the
life Of the man she loved, Concluding
Mr.. Hutchinson said:
II would not come before YOU and
make any statement that l did not
believe. Mrs. Thomas came before
You and made a statement which Ia
true. She plead for mercy at your
hands Counsel for the State Will
tell you, oh yes, the wicked always
feel repentant and sorrowful for their
crimes We ask YOU gentlemen to
be mcrciful to this woman. We ask
nothing at your hands from sympa-
thetic standpoint. 1t is sad case.
She asks you for her freedom. Can
you give II To her? / feel that you will.
believe all the facts of the case will
be taken into consideration. We ask
OF you a verdict upon these facts, and
when you leave this jury box l want
you Ia remember that the life OF
good woman is in your hands"
Mr.. Van Colt closed In behalf of the
State. He said II was always an un-
pleasant duty TO prosecute criminals,
particularly women. lnasmuch as the
killing Of Samuel Thomas by the de-
fendant had bee admitted. the only
question left for the jury to decide
was: Did Mrs. Thomas know what she
was doing when she killed her hus-
hand2 Mr. Van Colt then reviewed
the testimony OF tho medical experts
and said that DIS. Meacham and Pike
had agreed that a person who was in
sane could not recall events after n
return TO consciousness, DR. Scott had
held that n person could remember and
Mr., Van Cott said he doubted it, Con-
Guiding Mr. Van Colt said
On this case the woman Is good and
vITtuuus. 1t Is a pleasure to me to
he able to say a good word for her in
the submission of this case TO you. IL
Is your duty. gentlemen, to follow the
law. II Is Away cummendable to show
mercy towards a defendant, In my
Judgment this is one OF the cases In
which Justice might well be tempered
with mercy This is how it appeals