The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-15
Jury I'm the Case Of Jessie Morrison,
Tried for the Murder of Mrs.
Castle, Could Not Agree.
PRISONER MAY BE RELEASED
JUDGE sHINN INCLINED TO GRANT
APPLICATION FOR BAIL.
Prosecutor Not Satisfied, and Says He
May Arrest Three Jurors ON
the Charge of Perjury.

ELDORADO, Kan, Dec. 14.-Jessie Nor
rison's trial for the murder of Mrs. G.. Olin
Castle. whose life she is charged with hav-
ing taken because of her love for Castle.
ended to-day at noon in hung jury. Al
though the jurors did not agree on YER
dict the result of their deliberations came
near being an acquittal. Almost from the
start, and before the case had been dis
cussed by them, nine of the jurors voted
for acouittal and three for conviction, the
three holding out for manslaughter in the
fourth degree, the punishment for which
ranges from six months in jail 60 two years
in the penitentiary The jurors had been
out since Tuesday morning, and for the
last three days, realizing that they could
not reach a verdict, they had waited pa
tiently for their discharge.
The case will now go over to the spring
term of court. In the meantime Miss Nor
rison's lawyers will make application for
her release ON bond which, IL Is believed,
Judge Shinn has already made up his mind
to grant. 1t is not believed that another
jury could be secured in the county to try
the case.
Miss Morrison, who is frail little wom-
an, twenty-nine years of age, had under
gone a terrible strain, not only during her
five months Imprisonment, and during the
tedious three weeks hearing of the case,
but she showed little anxiety or nervous
ness when she appeared in the courtroom
to-day. and after the jury had been dis
charged walked quietly with her relatives
to her cell. There she threw herself upon
her cot and wept violently. Later. when
seen by newspaper man, she would not
talk of her case. Il don't want TO say a
thing" she pleaded
Former Probate Judge Morrison, the pris-
oner's father, who has attended his daugh-
ter daily through the trial, said that he
was very much encouraged. 1T shows
that there is not much doubt OF Jessie's
innocence" he said. ''Then," he added, II
hear a good many folks say if the county
attorney does the right thing he will dis
miss the case"
County Attorney Brumback is quoted as
saying this afternoon: 1T was all farce.
l knew there were three jurors unfavor-
able to the State, and would hang the Jury.
l will begin at once to investigate and ar
rests for perjury are pretty sure to follow.
Perjury has been committed in the testi-
mony of the defense"
The standing Of the different members
of the jury created great surprise Juror
Alexander Hewitt said that as soon as the
case was given to the jury Tuesday morn
ing he was elected foreman. The instruc-
tions were carefully read and an informal
ballot taken. On the first ballot before any
discussion had taken place the vote stood
nine for acquittal, two for conviction, one
not voting. The second ballot resulted nine
for acquittal and three for conviction. On
the third ballot there were eight for ac-
auittal and four for conviction. The next
ballot again resulted nine for acquittal anc
three for conviction. and from that time
carly Tuesday morning-it did not change.