The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-11-28
CONSIDINE FREE
VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY AFTER
THREE HOURS.
Evidently Considerable Discussion In the
Jury Room, But the Jurors Refuse to
Make Any Statement as to Their Delhi.
erations-The Verdict Was Generally An.
ticipted by the Public.


left the King county court house shortly
before o'clock last evening free man.
According to the verdict of the jury he
is not guilty of the murder of William
L. Meredith. The verdict was read in
the court room at 5:35, exactly three
hours from the time the jurymen were
locked up for deliberation. 1t was re-
ceived by the defendant, his family,
friends and counsel with every evidence
of Joy and relief. There was no demon
stration of any kind from the large audi
ence, the only movement being toward
the doors.
The members of the jury are very reti-
cent concerning what went on behind
the doors of their room. One and all
declined to say how they stood on the
first ballot or to give the number of bal
lots taken; no explanation was offered
for the long delay. One juror said: "We
expect considerable adverse criticism
and good deal of the other kiud, so we
have agreed not to say anything about
how we reached the verdict"
At A O'Clock the waiting crowd was
startled by loud knocking on the jury
room door. Every one supposed that
the verdict had been arrived at, and
hush fell upon the audience. The bailiffs
fastened to the jury room door, brief
consultation was held, the door closed
again and the bailiffs announced false
alarm.
It was noticed, however, that the de-
fendant and counsel on both sides were
at once summoned to Judge Emory's
chambers, and few moments later it
was given out that the jury desired to
have with them the full text of Judge
Emory's charge. Sentiment in the court
room, aroused by the first alarm to the
belief that verdict of acquittal had been
promptly reached, switched around on
this information. The request for the
full instructions of the court appeared
ominous, and many expressed the belief
that the jury was hesitating between the
degrees of felonious homicide. The court
room became very quiet, and through the
closed door of the jury room came con-
tinuous sound of voices at high pitch.
Every ear in the court room was strained
and the tension, especially upon the de-
fendant and his immediate family, was
apparently great.
About s o'clock there came from the
iury room the sound of many voices
raised loudly together. It's import was
hard to determine, but it was later
learned to have been the united cheer
given by the jurors when unanimous
vote vas ct length secured. Half an
hour was spent in the preparation OF the
verdict, and at $50 came again the
knocking ON the door. After inquiry
Bailiff Haney announced that the jury
had agreed.
The verdict is what was generally an-
ticipated by the public.
Seattle, Nov. 23.-It Is now stated that
the ballots taken by the jury in the Con-
sidine case were a. follows:
1st-5 not guilty; granddaughter; l
murder in the second degree.
2nd--5 manslaughter; z not guilty.
3d-6 granddaughter not guilty.
4th-5 manslaughter not guilty.
6th-5 manslaugl.ter: not guilty.
6th-S Granddaughter 8 not guilty.
7th-l2 not guilty:
|. II vas after the sixth ballot that the
discussion arose regarding the Judges
instructions. These were sent for and
read and the ballot following the reading
made verdict Of mot guilty.