New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-19
MORRISON ACQUITTED.
JUSTICE MAREAN ORDERS JURY TO
FIND HIM mot GUILTY"
MAN WHO SAID HE SHOT HIS WIFE
IN COURT AND AT JAIL.

IN COURT AND AT JAIL.
mot guilty. was the verdict brought in in
White Plains yesterday by order of Justice
Marean against Alfred Morrison, who shot his
wife Aida in Mount Vernon on December 2S
Justice Marean directed the verdict on the mo-
ton OF ex-Judge Appel on the ground that the
evidence was insufficient TO warrant convic-
ton. Justice Marean said to the jury:
have come TO the conclusion that # is my
duty advise you To acquit the defendant. You
may retire
Following the Courts remarks were applause
and cheers and a general commoton. Judge
Marean raped for order. which was soon re-
stored. The jury retired at 2:30 p m. 1t was
out just seven minutes In answer to the clerks
inquiry. How do you find the prisoner at the
bar, guilty or not guilty." Foreman August
Dykman answered Not guilty
Then followed another outburst of applause
and exciting scenes. Morrison jumped out Of
his seat and waving both hands wildly in the
air. shouted, oh thank you. Judge: Oh thank
you thank you!" He then dropped into his seat
almost in state of collapse.
Mrs Kahn Morrison's aunt. rushed to ex-
Judge Appel and kissed his hands.
Justice Marean then ordered Morrison's dis
charge and adjourned court till next Monday
when the trial Of young Edgar c. Burnz will
first degree in killing Postmaster Fellows at
Scarsdale last December.
MORRISON CHEERED AT THE JAIL
Immediately being discharged Morrison.
with about three hundred persons following
him. went to the Jail He accompanied by
Mrs Wells and Mrs. Lillian Gordon, his first
wife. AS the party entered the jail Morrison
received a rousing reception. Three cheers were
given. Young Burnz congratulated Morrison
The acquitted man thanked Jailer Johnson for
his kindness.
Having obtained his effects. Morrison took his
first wife by the arm and passed out of the
prison They caught the 4 O'Clock train from
Mount Vernon. They were followed to the sta
ton by a large crowd.
The courtroom crowded when the Morri-
son trial was resumed yesterday morning.
Charles z. Guy, the Mount Vernon insurance
agent, recalled. He said Morrison had
never received the insurance on his wifes life
Mrs. Grace O'Nein. Of Port Jervis, niece Of
the dead woman, said she had always known
Morrison as Frederick Wood. She had heard
him abuse his wife and slap her face She ad-
mitted however, that Morrison offered her
home for life and gave her watch and chain
She said Morrison was never away from the
house at night She had seen Mrs. Morrison
clean the revovers.
MI Morrison had a queer dream one night
when / was there" she continued. My aunt
and I slept in a room opposite him. / woke up.
and he was sitting up in bed, pointing revolver
in opposite direction from us over the foot
board of his bed. We had great difficulty in
waking him. He said: Where's those burglars?
] must kill them
District Attorney Andrews then rested his
case without calling DR.. Carlos Macdonald or
DR.. Samuel B. Lyon TO testify as 10 Morrison S
sanity, although both experts were in court.
COUNSEL MOVED TO DISMISS.
Ex-Judge Appel moved to dismiss the case
under Section 40 of the Code of Criminal Pro-
cedure. Justice Marean said that he should
open his case. and denied the motion. When
Mr.. Appel had completed his address the testi-
mony of several witnesses was taken Detective
William Lynch told how he had been to Nor
risons the night of the shooting. He had
reported the shooting as an accident He had
seen Morrison crying. Mrs. Morrison had said
to him: My husband never intended to shoot
1t was all a dream to him" Morrison had
fallen on his knees and prayed at his wifes
side in the presence of the officer.
Katie EmbswieT, young girl, cried the
stand. Her testimony was mainly that Morri-
son was good to his wife and called her pet
names.
Arthur Walker a second hand furniture
dealer in Mount Vernon, who used 10 go fishing
not even bast fishhook take the fish off the
hook when he caught them. He was a queer
tigger gentlemen of the jury"
6rews asked: You are a poet, aren't your"
Il am for recuperation. recreation and rest
only" replied Walker.
POET ON THE STAND
You have written poem this case isn't
that SOP
Yes. on dreams" admitted the witness
Coroner Banning told of taking Mrs Morri-
sons ante-nortem statement. He said Morrison
told him he had shot his wife while in a dream.
He had asked Mrs Morrison who shot her, and
she had said MY husband; you must not blame