The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-31
California Woman Convicted of Poi
soning Mrs. Dunning.
VERDICT OF THE JURY
PENALTY FIXED AT IMPRISoN-
MENT FOR LIFE.
Mrs. Botkin Received the Announce
ment With Apparent Calmness,
But Collapsed When the Court
Room Had Been Cleared-verdict
Was a Surprise to All Parties.

San Francisco, Dec. 30.-Rather to the
general surprise of those who have fol-
lowed the Botkin trial, and to the en-
tire dismay of the defendant and her
attorneys, Mrs Cordelia Botkin was to-
night found guilty of murder in the
first degree for causing the death of
Mrs. John P. Dunning by sending a box
of poisoned candy to her temporary
home in Dover, Del. The condemned
murderess will be spared an ignomin-
ious death on the gallows, however, the
jury that found her guilty imposing
also the penalty of life Imprisonment.
The verdict was unexpected. An ac-
quittal was confidently awaited by the
defense, while the prosecution feared a
disagreement. Rumors had been in
circulation to the effect that several of
the jurors strongly favored the defense,
and that their opinions were too firmly
grounded to be capable of change. AL
though the jury was only out four
hours, more than one Of which was de-
voted to dinner, it is currently reported
tonight that the verdict was the result
Of q compromise. The sex of the pris-
oner made such a conclusion satisfac-
tory to the jurors.
Considering the uneXpectedneSS of
the verdict Mrs. Botkin kept her self
will in hand when her fate was an
nounced. Not until the jurymen and
most of the spectators had left the
court room did she give evidences cf
collapse. Then she sank back half
fainting. hut speedily revived when
given a glass of water.
The jury retired at 5:15 p. M, but
sooa after, was taken out to dinner in
charge of a deputy from the sheriff S
office During the meal hour no refer
ence was made to the case by any of
the men in whose hands lay the fate of
Mrs. Botlzin. On returning to the jury
room, the evidence was carefully re-
viewed, and a prolonged discussion fol-
lowed. 1t is not known how many bal
lots were taken before a final agree
ment was reached, but there are ru-
mors that at first the opinions of the
twelve jurymen We're not in accord,
and that before unanimity was arrived
at compromise was effected.
AT just about 9 o'clock word was
sent to Judge Carroll Cook that the
jury was prepared to make a report.
Court was Immediately convened, and
at 9:15 o'clock, just four hours after
the case had been placed in it's hands.
The jury stated, through its foreman,
that an agreement had been reached,
the verdict being that Mrs. Betllin, ac-
cused of killing Mrs. John P. Dun
ming by means of poisoned candy sent
through the mails, was guilty of muir
der in the first degree. In accordance
with the laws of California which en-
power the jury tou decide between
hanging and Imprisonment in such
cases, the penalty was fixed at impris-
onment for life.
While at no time during the trial had
1T1.- OnfI~ i
ticipating such a, verdict, she received
it with remarkable calmness, exhibiting
no trace of emotion, though she sat
close to her sister, Mrs. Roberts, and
seemed to look to her for sympathy.
After the jury had been polIed in the
usual manner, Judge Cook announced
that sentence would be pronounced on
Saturday. Jan. I. He then remanded the
prisoner to the custody of the sheriff
to be imprisoned in the branch county
jail until called to receive final judg-
ment, when she will be transferred to
the state penitentiary.
The court room was cleared when
just after Mrs. Botkin had announced
to the deputy sheriff, in a clear voice
that she was ready to go with him tC
prison, occurred the only sensational
incident of the evening. The condemned
woman was about to rise, when heI
highly strung nerves seemed to relax
and suddenly she fell back into the
arms of Mrs. Roberts. 1t was thought
she had tainted, but in a moment a
glass of water revived her, and she
resumed her usual appearance, though
the tense nervous strain was still ap-
parent in the twitching of her facial
muscles, and the quick movement OF
her hands as her fingers drummed or
the table. In a few minutes she ap-
parently shook off all signs of excite
ment, and quietly accompanied the
deputy sheriff from the court room.