Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-18
THE JURY'S VERDICT.
Edwin II. Knight Innocent of
the Charge of Murder.
Enthusiastic Applause Greets Verdict
Jury Out Three Hours.
Knight Receives The Verdict With Ms Usual
CompOsure.

Saco. Me, Feb. 1.-THE famous Ed
win II. Knight murder trial, which has
been in progress in the supreme court
in this city IL days. ended Ia $40 p NJ
saturday, when the jury rendered a
verdict of not guilty.
1t was 1884 when Judge Powers had
finished his charge and the case was
given to the l. men who were to de-
eide the fate of the respondent. II took
the jury just three hours to agree unon
a verdict
1t was learned that but one ballot
was taken and that all stood for a YER
dict of not guilty.
At 3.25 a knock was heard at the Jury
room door, and Judge Powers was sent
Tor and arrived in court in short time
The respondent was then brought in
to court and took his usual place be-
side his counsel. These We're moments
of intense anxiety to the RESPONDENT
who was to know his fate in a few
minutes.
1t was $40 when Sheriff Fogg nodded
and the jurors We're brought in. The
u men walked slowly and deliberately
down the aisle TO their seats.
For II days that had been practically
shut out from the world, and their pale
faces showed the confinement to which
they had been subjected.
Absolute silence prevailed in the big
court room when Clerk of Courts En-
mons asked Gentlemen, have YOU
agreed upon verdict"
We have" responded the foreman.
What is the verdict?" asked the
clerk.
Not guilty" replied the foreman.
AS far as could be seen by the spec
tatOrs the face of the respondent at the
bar did not change its expression one
whit when the foreman uttered the
words which made him Il free man. He
received the verdict with the same com
posure that he had maintained through
out the the trial.
The demonstration that followed the
announcement was never equaled in
any court room in Maine. The applause
and shouts of JOY of the 200 friends of
Mr. Knight who We're gathered in the
court room awaiting the verdict could
be heard on Main street.
The rappings of the court and the
great ovation that he was given. and il
was not until the court had ordered the
officers to arrest any one making dis
turbance that quiet was restored.
The prisoner was then discharged by
the court, after which the South Ber-
wick people gathered about him.
shook his hand and extend congratulate
tons. The reception lasted for nearly
half an hour.
Attorney George c. YeatGn. who
made such a gallant fight for his client.
burst into tears when the verdict was
announced. and for several minutes
wept freely Many others in the court
room We're moved to tears.
The meeting of Mr.. knight and his
wife was most affecting.
She had been at her husbands side
every day since the trial began. and her
devotion to him has been most touch-
ing That she believed her husband IN
nocent of this terrible charge has been
evinced many times during the trial.
Mr.. and Mrs Knight soon left the
court room and made preparations TOT
returning to their home on the early
evening train.
He left for South Berwick at 8 +. NJ.
and nearly 800 people were gathered at
the Boston & Maine station to see MN
off. Nearly every one shook him by the
hand and told him how glad they were
that he had been acquitted.
one Saco man shook his hand. tolu
him that from the first he had believed
him innocent. and every night iau
prayed that he would be set free. Such
a scene was never before withesseu III
this city.
The verdict was a surprise TO many
people in this section who nave loiloN
cd the case from the beginning. me
they did not believe knight would Dc
found guilty. they looked for oiS-
agreement of the jury
The court room was packed 70 ny
doors Saturday. Fully half the h''lli-
Der present We're women. Nearly ~
neople came down from the Ber"ich7
on the morning train.
The wife and daughter of the resPoh-
dent sat beside him. and when the Jui
retired to the jury room he rece'Neu
encouraging salutations from "i'
friends and counsel.
Judee Powers occupied hours anu
a. minutes in the delivery of his charse.
His instructions to the Il men
impartial, clear and Impressive
Thus ends the most famous ihu, ,,,,
trial in the history of the SUI 80;
trial has been full of sensatlohai ~ ~,
dents. and during the past IL cay l
ing else has been talked about III
ern Maine.