The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-13
WM. ]. RHODES
WAS ACQUITT TED
IN SIX MINUTES
Jury Acted Upon instructions
Alone and No Arguments
We're Made.
VERDICT NOT A SURPRISE
The Evidence Was VoIuminous and
the Story of the Tragedy
Well Told.
PATHETIC SCENE WHEN
VERDICT WAS RENDERED
Sensational Charge Against One oi
the Jurynen Was Investigated at
the Conclusion of the Trial, But
He Indignantly Denied the AL
lesation-Details of the Last
Days Proceedings of
the Trial.
PATHETIC SCENE WHEN
VERDICT WAS RENDERED

for three days the charge OF Eatuaer1nes
w. Frank Barnett last January. was ae-
quilted at the Hastings Court yesterday
afternoon at 1:s6 o'clock, after the jury
had been out but six minutes.
The evidence in the case was quite volum-
inous and at times sensational, and the
whole story was clearly told by the wit
nesses of both sides. So clearly was
it told, in fact. that the counsel for both
sides deemed it unnecessary to argue the
case, and it was submitted to the jury in
that manner.
The verdict was not surprise, for 1t
seemed almost a foregone conclusion that
an acquittaI would follow.
When the trial was resumed in the
Hastings Court at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning the jury seemed to De
refreshed by their nights rest and paid
vary strict attention to the progress OF
the case.
The crowd Of spectators was got large
at first, but it grew and in a short while
the courtroom was crowded
The proceedings begun with the. exanli-
nation of young Chris. Diacont by tue
defense. He was one OF those employed
at the Hasker-hlarCuse factory. he mao
taken a message IEOui MISS iNsC -slSOAht ~
accused AT the request of Barnett last jan
uarv to the effect that she had cut her
finger, and to tell his wife about it.
Mr.. Smith was perplexed somewhat by
the statement made by witness concern
ing the message, for it tended TO create
a different impression than that intend
ed by the counsel for the Defense IN
that upon conference with counsel the
witness had said nothing about taxing
the message to Mrs Rhodes.
ALI. AROUND WITNESS.
A question as to which side had sum-
moned the witness arose, and 1T was
learned that the witness WIS summoned
by the defense. His replies to questions,
however, seemed 10 imply that hs was a
good witness for the prosecution.
Upon cross-examination by Mr.. Rich
ardson the witness stated that when ne
had delivered the message to Rhodes he
came back down stairs and found that
Barnett had gone home sick He started
70 tell of his going to the residence OF
Barnett.
Objection was raised by defense on the
ground that the evidence was extraneous.
and in order TO discuss the point, the
Jury was taken out OF the room
The prosecution declared that. the ev-
idence expected from Diacont was IN
rebuttal to evidence introduced by de-
fense in showing why Rhodes mad gone
TO Baruett's residence in January
The defense held. however, that the wit
ness that had given the testimony refer
red to had been taken in hand by the
Commonwealth, and this contention was
sustained by the Court
When the jury returned to the room
the witness was further cross-eXamlned
by Mr.. Richardson as to what he aIlew
positively concerning the visit Of Rhodes
To Barnett's home, but witness Knew
nothing of his own knowledge and was
excused.
Rhodes was then recalled by defense and
stated that no message was given him to
tell his wife about the accident to Miss
Meoni.
On cross-examination. he stated that ne
could not remember the details of the con-
yersation with Mr.. Marcuse. and was not
sure that he nad stated, before he heSifd
about the assault upon his wife, that ne
would kill Barnett if he crossed his path
MISS MEoNI ON THE STAND.
The next witness was the Inuch-talked or
! Miss Grace Meoni, who had inquired 50 eX-
,ensively throughout the trial as being the
friend OF Rarnett, VINO Wehl 70 tile fs!tol'ee
home TO meet him.
= She is under medium height, quite good
looking. and wore a black head-dress- Her
abpearance created something OF q sensa-
ton.
She gave her place of residence and her
age, and said she knew both Mr. ard
Mrs Rhodes, ana had known them ABOUT
six years She said sile went to the rest
denae of Rhodes or January nth. upon
invitation of Mr. Rhodes. y small boy nad
been bringing messages TO i.er from Mrs.
Rhodes to come to see her. She had PAID
no attention TO tt1er.,. but, when her nus
band invited her, she went No arrange
ment had been I:4aie between witness and
Barnett as to the meeting, and she mad no
reason to believe that ne would call there
ne did not come inside the house az that
| time hut stood at the door with raised
| nm brelia in his hand He asked Mrs Rhodes
II he could come in, but she told him her
brother-in-iaw was there. and then be
said he would so, for he was sick and
must take some medicine. He acted as a
gentleman while he was there. and nothing
was done in an unbecomng manner
She was positive that nothing wrong was
done upan that visit. and taat Rarnett did
rot get inside the door. Barnett had al
lowed her to go Oft that day. and when
She told MIN where she was going. he
said that he would drop by there and see
them. Sine told Mrs. Rhodes what Harnett
had said. but sha did not believe he was
coming.
On cross-sxaHalnation by Mr.. Smith.
she said that she picked our the day for3
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