The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-19
state OF Washington
vs..
"CharIes ". Shomo.
I'VE. the jury in the above en-.
titled cause. do find the defendant
not guilty.
GEORGE ". TIBBETTS.
foreman

CHARLES w. SHOMO, who has been
on trial In the superior court for nine
days on the charge OF assassinating
CHARLES j. Mohrbacher, on East Roy
street. January rs. quietly went to his
modest little home. 200 feet from the scene
of the now famous mysterious tragedy,
last night at II rs O'Clock. His wife, some
people cali her his child-wife, chung aHec-
tionately TO his arm.
Tho Jury had declared him not guilty.
after considering the case behind locked
doors from 5.2l O'Clock In the afternoon
until 1919 O'Clock last evening.
seven ballots were taken. The first stood
eight to four In favor of acquittal. After
this there was considerable argument, and
as the subsequent ballots were taken those
in favor OF an acquitta1 gained ground un-
IN a unanimous verdict was reached The
pivotal point In the case WAS the motive
The tt,ry did not believe that the state had
established this important feature 10 the
extent required In a question OF lie or
death. And on this rock the hopes or the
prosecution for verdict putting rope
around the neck of the coolest man that
ever sat IN the accused's chair In this
county were wrecked
During that moment when the clerk
stood In tho big courtroom with the white
paper which told the story of life with new
hope or death with dishonor, Charles w.
ghomo sat like a business man at his desk
considering some routine matter.
mot guilty" The words fell clear and
Distinct from James Brewster's lips. A
smile approaching 1oyousness spread over
the somber visage of the defendant. He
arose. Just then Judge Benson spoke to
the jury, and until he had finished and the
jury had declared the verdict theirs be-
yond doubt shomo stood like a statue. All
over, no approached the jury with out
stretched hand and thanked them one and
all for giving him freedom.
A moment later he and his attorney. W.
II. Morris. were on their way to the jail
below. where Mrs. Shomo was awaiting to
hear the news With glad cry she
rushed TO her husbands arms. The big
JAN doors were thrown open and the man
who stood accused of assassination only
twenty minutes before walked out into
the open air with his wife at his side.
Last night was the first time Bailiff
brewster got an opportunity to sleep since
the big trial commenced, with the excep-
ton OF a short nap yesterday morning.
lilo was consequently highly elated when
there was a loud knocking on the door of
the 1uryroom last night at 1913 o'clock. A
noise as OF singing came from the room,
which was taken to indicate good luck for
6homo. As quickly as possible Brewster
notified Judge Benson and the attorneys.
shomo. In charge Of Deputy Sheriff Pauley.
soon arrived.
Then Attorney Morris put In an appear
anoe, and then came Judge Benson, under
the protecting wing OF policeman. After
waiting until f0:45 o'clock for Prosecuting
Attorney McElroy and Assistant Prescott
ing Attorney Hart. Judgs Benson called In
the jury. Az the weary men fled into the
Jury box Shomo sat In his chair with legs
carelsssty crossed. tho thumb Of His right
hand In tina armhole of his vest. He
looked the turymen over carefully, and
withou. changing expression kept on
chewing gum
Judge Benson asked the Jury II II had
reached verdict. An affirmative answer
was received and the white paper was
passed UP to his honor, who handed II to
Hrewster Ia read. when the words Not
guilty were read the tension on all In the
courtroom relaxed aud congratulations
were in order.
Prosecuting Attorney McRlFoy and AS
sisant Prosecuting Attorney Hart were
on their way TO the courtroom when they