Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1900-01-12
verdict NOT GUILTY.
Julia Morrison James Acquitted Of
the Murder OF Leidcnheimer.
A DRAMATIC SCENE.
The ACTRESS Thanks the Court and the
Jury, and forgiVeS Her Perse.
cuiorS, Which She Delivers
In Shakspearcan Style.

Of the trial of Julia Morrison James for
the murder Of Frank Leidenheimer, Of
the Mr. Plaster Of Paris" company. Of
which they were leading man aud lady.
on tho stage Of the Chattanooga opera
house on the night Of Sept - last. ended
yesterday in a dramatic manner
AT the morning session two speeches
were made which closed the trial. Col
Joe Gift speaking for the defense and
Samuel Bosworth Smith for the state
The charge Of Judge E,till was begun
at II 80 and was most impartial and
lucid exposition OF the law and the duty
Of the jury in the premises
When court adjourned at noon until
Sp IN. Miss Morrison was removed 10
her cell in the county jail, where she re-.
ceiyed many callers until the hour for
the return 10 court arrived Among her
callers was a representative Of the As.
ISOLATED Press towhom the prisoner eI.
pressed entire confidence in the favora
bic action Of the jury The courtroom
was crowded and Mrs James was
cheered as she made hei appearance
For fully an hour she sat. impatiently
listening 10 the procedure Of the regular
docket. when at o'clock the Jury was
announced. The jury had but one bal
lot and their verdict was mot guilty "
Miss Morrison, upon hearing the words
which insured her freedom. leaned back
In her chair with closed eyes and quick.
ly changing color Of the face. Advanc.
Ing to the speakers platform she made
a most dramatic speech 10 the court and
jury, as follows
May It please your honor. wish 20
thank you and the gentlemen Of the
jury aud all who were instrumental in
my acquittal today. for your Just and
generous decision May God in his
mercy be ever as just TO you and yours
as you have been 10 me today In the
same measure | wish to thank my al.
torneys for their noble efforts in my be.
half As for the prosecution. ] wish 10
say that fully forgive them and bear
them no malice for their strenuous ef
forts for my conviction. As TO my per.
secutors, turning toward Mrs George
Anse, the beautiful sister Of the muir.
dered actor, who was overcome with
emotion and suifused in tears) | leave
them 20 their conscience and their God.
To the poor beroayed sister. / say that
God knows that were it in my power to
restore her brother to her | would GER
tainly do IL
When she finished her speech. which
she had rendered in strictly Shakes.
pearian style Attorney General Donald.
son made a demand that she be held for
carrying a pistol and the case was
entered. but no bail or other formal
court recognition was accorded the
action
The verdict was wildly cheered by the
spectators in the courtroom and
hundreds outside
Mr. and Mrs James went az once 10
apartments previously engaged at a
leading hotel where they will remain
for several weeks when Mira James
will begin lecture tour. her subject
being The Other Side OF the Stage in
which she will point out the dangers
that confront virtuous girls who are
lured from happy homes 10 follow the
stage as an occupation. Several mem
bers Of the jury, including Foreman
McNabb. gave interviews 70 the repre-
sentatiyes Of the Associated Press after
the verdict had been returned They all
stated that but one ballot had been TAX
on and that their verdict had been based
on their belief IN the pleas Of emotional
insanity and seltdsfense