Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-11-19
WAS THE VERDICT IN THE w, T. KNIGHT MURDER
 CASE.
PUBLIC OPINION PLAYS
Same Role Unanimous Approv- al Meets It = Masterful
 Speeches of Lawyers.

The case of the State Of Arkan' sas against W. T. Knight, charged by sindictm ent for the murder of one John King at Red Fork, in De, sha county in the year of 1897, has closed. The last chapter of the af- fair was reached Saturday night at 8:15, when the jury returned their verdict, which was, "W4, the jury, find the defendant not guilty. This at once elicited .oud applause and shouting from some who com posed the large audience in the court room. The sheriff immedi- ately restored order, whereupon Judge A. B. Grace discharged both the prisoner and the jury.
 A notable feature of the case Saturday night was the sentiment that has, unq tionably, prevailed and predominated in the minds Of all who heard the testimony in the case during the week just ended, beginning with last Tuesday at 3 o'clock, which was not guilty. The verdict was no surprise; fit should have been guilty or hung jury then surprise would have been eonspic- uous.
 When the verdict was rendered w. T.SKnight, the defendant, walk ed over to the jury box and shook the hand of every juror as did also his brother. The case was given to jury Saturday evening at 5:45. At $ o'clock they adjourned for the pur pose of partaking of repast served at the Trulock Hotel. At 6.30 they returned to the court house, where again they began their labors and concluded at 8:l5, when they re. turned their. verdict. The jury in arriving at their verdict consumed just one hour and half. The jury verdict was signed by Jno. W. Glb- son as foreman. The case has been notable one and occupies a prom lnent place in the annals of crimi
 nal history, mace so from the pecu- liar circumstances brought out in the case. The verdict of the jury on the first ballot was 10 to for acqnittal; it was but few minutes ere they took the second ballot,
 when the verdict was unanimous for acquittal.
 The State was ably represented by Prosecuting Attorney W. B. Sor- rel,s. MT. Sorrells in bis argument to the jury labored under difficult ty, as be had very sick child. This preyed upon the mind of Mir. Sor- rells, and as a matter of human na-
 ture worried him to some extent.
 But all in all, be made great speech. Mr. Sorrels' concluding argument to the jury after the de fense's was masterpiece.
 The leading counsel for the de- fense was Mir. X. O. Pindal of Ar kansas City. Mir. Pindall did not make any argument to the jury. He was, however, COZ versant with the case as far as the facts were con- cerned. Mr. Rodgers, also of Ar kansas City, made the opening statement to the jury for the de. fense. It was q veritable rock of Gibraltar; most succinct state ment, replete with iL teresting facts to be proven, and by the verdict of the jury his statement was corrobo- rated throughout.
 The two lawyers who appeared in chief throughout the case were Hons. Smith c. Martin and Sam M. Taylor. Their speeches were mas terpieces. They were the gist of all the facts. Both of them handled their case to perfection and their arguments were masterful efforts. Hon. s. c. Martin opened for the defense. We do not give any of his speech, because to omit any of 1t would be only to spoil the beauty of lit. It was 80 succinct and thor |ougbly connected a1d go logically
 presented that VIC hesitate to repeat t from memory fearing that Ne