Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-09
LACY FOUND GUILTY.
The Jury Finds That -Four Of.
The Charges Are Sustained
AFFECTING SCENE IN COURT,
Yhs Prisoners Young Wife Has 10 Be
Taken Out.
NOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
ahis VIII he Argued on Wednesday
yext-The Jury Ask That the Light
est Punishment lie Inhicted--BattIe
HetNeeu Able Lawyers.


the United States Circuit Court last
lght
The jury arrived at their verdict after
generating for three-quarters OF an hour.
,-l they accompanied II with a private
communication 10 Judge Waddill, in which
they recommended the prisoner 10 the
cemency Of the court. and asked that the
Yshtcst possible sentence might be i'm
posed The penalty for the offence is
from one TO five years.
The verdict was couched in the following
terms: 1--WE, the jury. find the prisoner,
Thomas W. Lacy. guilty on the first. Sc
c-rd. fourth, and fifth counts and not
Ta.lty on the third count, as charged in
fhs Indictment.
,sgneO GEORGE T. ANDERSON,
Foreman"
mr. Edgar Allan said he desired to sub
NIT a motion TO set the verdict of the
,gry aside as being contrary TO the law
and evidence. owing to his appointments.
however it would be impossible for him
10 argue the case until Wednesday. After
some discussion Judge Waddill decided
that the motion should be heard on We'd
nesday evening at $3.50 O'Clock.
The four charges on which the prisoner
was found guilty charge him with steal
ing letters addressed TO Rev. Father Don
ovan. opening them, and embezzling their
contents. The accused was found not
guilty on the charge of stealing the post
age stamps and handkerchiefs that were
found in his drawer at the post-oifice.
RECEPTION OF THE VERDICT.
The case was given 10 the jury about
s15. and they retired to their room. At
SIS tho court adjourned for supper and
convened again three-quarters of an hour
later. At O'Clock word came that a ver7
dict had been reached. At that time there
Was only smatterng of spectators in
tte c1urt-room. but the news spread fast,
Grd when the jury was brought in there
were about 100 people present
LACY who has been quartered in the
Narshars Office since the trial began,
had his supper there with his wife his
sister and his mother. he was brought
into court. and sat surrounded by his
family and friends. He looked almost
uucoucerned and betrayed no outward
elgl Of emotion. Throughout the formali-
ties DE sat calm and unmoved, speaking
once 1r twice 10 his wife, who leaned over
him farming him. The announcement OF
der clap Not only Lacy, but all his rela-
tons. had expressed TO the officials of the
court ana others who spoke 10 them upon
the matter their trust in his innocence
and their confidence in his accuittal.
Throughout the trial 1t has been particu-
larly noticeable that the demeanor OF
Lacy and those nearest TO him was at
times very cheerful and no one of them
was az any time disconnected. Some said
that Lacy and his wife. his mother and
Dis sister did not realize the terrible posi-
ton in which he was placed.
HOW THE PRISONER RECEIVED III.
There was a deathlike silence after the
verdict had been read by Clerk peasants
and looks Of utter dismay overspread the
faces Of the accused and his loved ones
who had sat with him throughout the
trial The prisoners wife famed MN TOT
Few seconds. and then stopped, falling
forward in an attitude OF hopeless dejec-
ton Lacy lifted her and offered her a
bottle Of smelling salts. but moment
later she had TO be carried from the court
SD "a fainting condition. Lacy made mo-
ton as though he would have followed
her. but his place was taken by the court
lllin
Mrs. Lacy was taken first to the Mar
Fhars Office and then, on the suggestion
o. judge Waddill. TO the Judges cham-
Ders II was only when Lacy's father
came forward. and clasping his son in ms
arms. went bitterly, that Lacy broke
Gown but he quickly controlled himself
Ey the permission of the Judge, Lacy
was granted a final interview with ms
wife before he was taken TO the city jail
where ne Is TO remain penang the
argument OF Wednesday next.
INTEREST IN THE CASE.
The case has been followed with unusual
interest. and has attracted Widespread
attention Lacy was well and popularity
known and was much liked in the
community I'm which he lived. ana pg
those who had dealings with him IN MS
place AT the free delivery window Back
a. the evidence was, it was hoped ana
the wish was often expressed III tne
courtroom during the trial, that AT tno
worst there would be hung jury. Many
lawyers attended the trial. Tor IL was
q battle OF giants. with District-Attorney
White on the one side and MT. EusaI
Allan on the other. Lawyers said that
the trial would be memorable as tourney
between these two noted criminal lawyers,
one Of whom is soon TO succeed the oihei
!n bis official position as prosecuting at
torney for the government. But the ouu9
were all I'm favor OF the District Attorney
f1r strong chain Of circumsianuai eVi-
dence had 10 be met with onl$ the state
ment OF the accused and host OF charae-
Ter witnesses.
LAST DAY OF THE TRIAL.
Court convened yesterday morning AT ~
o'clock. and each side introduced evidence
IN rebuttal, but neither side gained any
material advantage.
II was decided 20 argue the case Will
out Instructions. and Mr.. B. Rand. Wen
ford. Assistant District Attorney, opened
Tor the prosecution. He spoke Tor apoul
an hour making a strong, forcipie' anu
dispassionate statement OF the case.
Mr.. Edgar Allan. Jr., followed sor 'ne
defence ana handled his side OF the case
very wen. He spoke for little over haif
an hour. lie was followed by his father
whose address 10 the jury was a marked
ly brilliant and able effort. He spoke TOT
two hours and forty minutes without
break. and blended the cause OF his ciieh'
with great effect