Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-16
The Jury Only Needed an Hour and a Half
to Reach a Verdict.
The Court Room Rang With Cheers as the Prisonr Was
Declared Free Man-Dramatic Ending of One of the
Most Sensational Legal Fights Ever Seen in Norfolk
Brilliant Arguments by the Attorneys on Both Sides Of
the Case

Ex-Captain OF Police Michael II.
Prince. who on August Sd last. shot
and killed State Oyster Inspector
Charles ]. Cannon. in the areaway be-
tween the Citizens Bank building and
the custom-house. was acquitted by i
terday afternoon at ABS O'Clock after
q trial lasting just one week. The cir
cumstances of the killing are too well
known to be here reproduced; suffice
II to say that the murder and trial
was one of the most sensational in the
history of Norfolk, and perhaps in Viz
ginia. A demonstration that took place
in the court room when veruict was
announced was an unusual one and
was perhaps never before witnessed in
a court of justice in this State. When
the foreman OF the jury THAI held the
life and liberty of Prince in their hands
announced just two >words mot
guilty" n mighty cheer went up from
the vast crowd and all the court Of
ficers combined could not stop the
demonstration of approval OF the set
ting free of the slayer of Cannon.
Prince, after he shot Cannon. is said
to have remarked: Il was Justified"
II tIIN TIC Jul bOiC Jul
as regards the statement. Human ma
ture is peculiar and the public's opin-
ion as TO the merits or dement's of the
verdict is divided. Prince had as fair
trial as man ever had. He had
able counsel and he was bitterly pros
ecuted by the government. The jury
heard all of the evidence that was adj
missable and also heard the brilliant
arguments OF the prosecution and de
alone the
preme Judges in this noted case.
When Mr. Allan had concluded his
powerful argument on behalf of the
government it was 2:15 O'Clock. The
jury went to lunch and at 3 had re-
turned. They were sent TO their room
and nj 1886 announced they were
ready to report. AS they filed in the
scene. The jurors took their seats and
each answered to his name. "Grn-
tlemen Of the jury, have you agreed
upon u verdict?" asked Judge Waddill.
We have" answered the foreman.
Michael Prince. stand up COM
manded Clerk Bowden. Prince. pale as
Il ghost, and with trembling limbs
the prisoner" said the clerk. and say
be he guilty or not guilty"
mot guilty" said the foreman. Then
the clerk read from the back of the
indictment: I'VE, the jury, find the
prisoner, Michael II. Prince. not guilty
as charged in the Indictment" AT this
instant a mighty cheer went up from
the spectators. which the Court could
not stay. After order had been re-
stored Judge Waddill thanked the jury
and discharged the members. He then
announced to Prince that he was free.
Prince here showed very little emotion
as he grasped the hands of his attor-
90 l,f l. To-.
e. Prince, who has been beside him
each day of the trial. An immense
crowd waited downstairs and Prince
was kept busy shaking hands. Prince
and his friends walked from the court
to the cigar store kept by his brother
At that point Prince entered n carriage
and was driven to his mothers resi-
den%e. 517 CRANKY street. From there
he went to the residence of his brother
James f. Prince. where he will for the
present reside. AS to the eX-Captain's
future Intentions, he and his brother
alone know Princes children arc at
his brothers home, while his wife is
said to be residing with her father. The
argument of Mr. Thorp yesterday in
concluding for the defense's case was
more in the nature of an appeal Com
,nent on 1t is unnecessary. as II speaks
for itself and is printed in this issue
The closing argument of the District
Attorney. Mr.. Allan. was as scathing as
the able prosecutor could make It, and
he fought with bull dog like tenacty
in an effort to convict Prince.
ARGUMENTS IN FULL.
Mr. Thorp began his argument by
saying he congratulated the jury that
this case was about over and that the
members could go home and greet an
unbroken family circle.
II wish that my poor. unfortunate
client could do the same, but all that
he can expect is to go out into the
atmosphere and again breathe the air
of free man. His family circle is
broken forever.
MIR. Thorp said the reason the de-
Tense fought on technicalities was be-
cause the accused wished to be tried in
a home court and by his neighbors, as
he would expect an acquittal. CAS-
we approach the end we have become
better acquainted with one another,
and thank God he is tried in a court
of the United States of America, with
a Virginia judge and IL Virginia gen
tlemen."
What are we to consider?''
1.-THE fact is admitted that the pris-
oned killed Charles j. Cannon on the
Sd of last August. Shall we stop
there? No. we must get at the motive
for the killing. There have been two
tragedies and we must get at the be-
ginning. The beginner lies cold in his
grave. Cannon himself set the ball in
motion. He committed the crime of
adultery. What sort OF an offense is
that? All you have to do is to refer
to the history of the world from the
beginning OF time 10 the present time.
Adultery strikes at the root of society;
It has always been a punishable Of
Tense. Woman began in the Garden of