Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-12-14
MRS. BONNIE ACQUITTED.

stepped out OF the City Hall in WASH
iugton free woman, acquitted Of q
charge that she murdered James Sey-
mour Ayres, jr., the young Census Office
clerk, at the Kenmore Hotel last MAY.
The verdict was announced at 500
last uight. Notwithstanding direc'
iuiuuciion from the Judge, the crowd 10
the courtroom cherred until sileneed by
the bailiii. Within and outside the
courthouse persons crowded arou nd
Mrs. Bonnie and joined in one OF the
most remarkable demonstrations OF
sympathy aud congratulations In the
history OF local criminal proceedings.
At $40 the jlry siguifed al agree.
ment mad been reached. Marshal Rob-
inson telephoned to Judge Anderson,
VINO hurried 10 the City Hall from his
apsrtments at the Portland Flats.
Meantime the crowd of lawyers, friends
and others assembled 10 the dimly light.
ed courtroom. Near Mrs. BOniDe were
her husband, two sons, her sisters, one
carrying au infant 10 her arms, and a
brother fsom the west.
The Judge arrived at $40. Address.
ing those iD court, he sale;
"GentlemeD, l understood the jury
has agreed on verdict. As look into
your faces Il think | may say 1t would
be highly improper for you to give any
expression of approval or disapproval.
All who disregard this order will be
Obliged 10 answer to the court"
The jury entered as the Court finish
ed.
Each Juror responded ss his name
vas. called by the clerk.
"Have yon reached verdiciY'
asked the latter.
We dave, resToGGed liz dGm-
phrey, the foreman, aud be t1ded.
mot guilty."
Mrs. B0nlne turned aud XII her
husband. There was en outr u Of
applause, followed by q general recep-
ton 10 Mrs. Bonine by those who
crowded around her. Each mtmber OF
the Jury congratulated her 10 person.
Accompanied by her lawyers and
family, Mrs. BoDine left the courthouse
aud crossed the street TO she law offices
of her attorneys. A crowd OF several
hundred persons impeded the way.
At the ourtipg someone clapped his
hands. The crowd followed with Q
demonstration. Someone called "Three
cheers Tor Colonel Douglass ~ The
crowd quickly and enthusiastically re-
sponded. Many loi.ered around the
entrance 10 the building waiting ioI
Mrs. Bouiue to reeppear. Later she
went home Ia q Carriage with her
| husband.
Tne entire day was devoted to hear
ing the fnal arguments pro end con.
Mr.. Charles II. Douglass, leading Conn
eel for the defendant, resumed the ar
2ument which he began yesterday. be
was ou his feet addressing the jury for
two full hours yesterday, and during
both days for nearly FIVE hours. he
was eloquent st times, weighed all his
words carefully and very clearly out
lined the cause Of the accused. At one
point be brought tears to the eyes oi
| Juror August Gelz. q stsid and sturdy
German contractor past the prime o.
| life. Mrs. BoDine also wept, using hei
| handkerchief 10 brushing away tears
Ooce or twice previously during th'
| trial she had shed tear, but yesterday
she was unable to repress her feelings
quite so we'll, and tears tTickled doWr
Der cheeks. She retained her cOmpo
sure remarkably with sll this, although
it was evident she was beginoing to fee
the effects of her long mental straiT
during three weeks OF the trial.
Mr.. Ashley M. Gould, the United
States District Attorney, made the fina
address to the jury for the government
He spoke in his usual forcelul style, bu
was exceedingly bitter in bis arraign
ment OF Mrs. Bonine and criticism o
her connection with the tragedy.
The trial OF Mrs. Lola Ida Bonint
had been ia progress for almost fou'
weeks. Extraordinary interest wal
caused 10 the tragedy at the time jane
Seymour Ayres was killed because o
the mystery surrounding the case unit
the statement made by Mrf. Bonine o
her part 10 the tragedy while ihe coro
ner's inquest was in session.
She said she was the only person be
sides the victim 10 the ro)m wheI
young Ayres was shot, and That he wa
killed In struggle with her over thi
possession of the pistol with which b,
was trying to irighten her into com
plisnce with his demands. Mrs. Bonin
had been 10 jail since the tragedy. sh'
did not 60 on the witness stand durini
the trial.