The San Francisco call., 1899-08-01
MINNIE ADAMS
IS GUILTY OF
CHILD MURDER
The Degenerate Poi
soned Her Baby.

Mrs Minnie Adams has been convicted
of the murder of her infant son. Johh
Richard Gray. That she Will not Walk 10
the gallows is due alone to the sympalnE
of the twelve good men ana true WI"
passed judgment upon her Ihey nave
fixed the penalty for the CRIME at lih
prfsonment for life.
Saturday morning at II o'clock the fate
of the murderess was placed in the hands
of the jury. After an hours discussion OF
the facts of the case a ballot was TAKEN
and it is said that nine condemned her LOT
the crime while three stood for her lhho-
cence. Another discussion followed, and
the second ballot found but one man,
Juror Mehrtens, favorable to the accused
Then the work of bringing this juror 70
q belief in the prisoners guilt began. AL
e o'clock he had not wavered, and Judge
Iawlor ordered the jury locked up for the
night Sunday morning came, ana sun
he voted for acquittal. The jury was sent
hack for further deliberation, and again
at o'clock was called into the court
room. Foreman Manning stated that the
lone Juror simply sat mute and discussion
of the case had ended. Again the jury
was sent back and at o'clock the same
scene was enacted. Again the jury went
hack. and at o'clock Monday morning
Judge Lawlor was informed that the jury
wanted certain testimony read. Judge
TavIor hurried to the courtroom, and then
il was made known that Attorney Mack,
who represented the accused, had left the
city, leaving judge A u: LEMON mon to to. watch
secured for Lemon without avail, and
finally Attorney w. w. Davidson, whose
address was near the court, was appoint
ed bv Judge Lawlor to represent the ac-
cused Mr.. Davidson consented to repre-
sent the murderesS after the condition of
affairs had been explained to him Mrs.
Adams also gave her consent to the sub
stitution of counsel, and the jury filed in.
II was only upon one point that Mr.. Mehr-
tens hung-the point to whether Har-
accused had testified as to there being
carbolic acid, or any liquid, in the bottle
he found from which the poison was sub
sequently poured down the baby's throat.
The testimony showed that there was not
any liquid in the bottle when it was
found and a further reading developed
out of the window. after the babys death,
there was quantity of poison left there
in. This was all the evidence sought. The
reading occupied until 3:45 o'clock. and
half an hour later the bell announced
that verdict had been reached.
Mrs Adams was brought into court, and
her mother, Mrs. Kelly, and her brother,
John Tyrreli. were seated near. Fore
man Manning rose in response TO the
question of the clerk as to whether or not
a verdict had been reached and said:
I'VE, the jury, find the defendant Minnie
Adams, guilty of murder in the first de-
gree and fix and assess her punishment
life. So say we ALL" Then he continued:
I'VE all regret the painful duty that has
been thrust upon us-the painful duty of
passing Judgment upon this woman for a
crime that necessitates such a severe SEN
tence- But 1t was our duty and we have
obeyed the law. Judge Lawlor bowed
and the juror took his seat.
In the meantime Mrs. Adams remained
mute, not shadow of emotion crossing
her face. Judge Lawlor set August 19 as
the date of sentence. and then informed
the bailih to take the jurors to an early
breakfast and when all had been satisfied
70 procure conNeyanceS and see them to
the1r homes. The court further thanked
the Jurors for the attention they gave the
case and for their thorough deliberation