The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-09
States Attorney Dumbfounded and
Defense Is No Less Unpre-
pared For 1t.
NORBECK'S TESTIMONY
WEAKENED STATES CASE
General Opinion Is That the Jury Dis
credited the Testimony of Confessed
Big Mitters"-Verdict Is Unpopular
About Town-Other Indictments
Coming.


neapolis, is not guilty of the charge of
accepting a $25 bribe from Lincoln
Crossman, big mitt' operator This
is the verdict of the jury, after deliber-
ating twenty-one hours on the now IA
nous case. The verdict was a COM
plete surprise, undoubtedly as much
so to the defense as to the state. The
general opinion was that the jury
would convict, and the defense pinned
Its greatest hopes on a disagreement.
The case against Ames was consid-
cred by the attorneys for the state to
be complete in every particular and by
all odds the strongest of the cases tried
thus far. Gardner and King were con-
Victed on much weaker testimony.
There is great rejoicing at the city
hall in consequence of the unexpected
verdict. The chiefs friends had been
quite down-hearted for several days
and the shock of acquittal so overcame
them that they fairly tore the city hall
loose from its foundation in their par
oxysms of delight. They took all the
comfort out of the verdict that it con-
tanned, and openly boasted of the
chiefs vindication.
Chief Ames received the verdict with
less show of demonstration than any
other person. He says ne expected
no other verdict. The states attorneys
We're dumbfounded when the verdict
fell on their ears, as they were conf
IDENTIFY awaiting the word guilty
for the finding of the verdict on the
evidence submitted, unless it was 10
caP' pride which hesitated to announce
to the world that the head of the Min
neapOlis police department was a GRIM
inal.
Norbeck Hurt States Case.
The general opinion of disinterested
parties is that the state made a mis-
take by putting Norbeck on the stand,
and that this fact discredited the
states case. There is a feeling that a
mistake was made by promising Nor
beck any immunity for turning states
evidence. The feeling in MINNEAPOLIS
is very bitter against Norbeck, and the
sentiment is unanimous that he de-
serves severe handling and no mercy
from the state. Norbeck's confession
that his entire testimony in his own
trial was a falsehood discredited his
story in the Anes case, and tended to
destroy confidence in the states case.
One attorney expressed himself:
"Ames may be guilty, but when the
public temper cools off there will be
some regret felt that citizens have
been railroaded to Saltwater on the
sole testimony Of crooks and thieves
and self f-confessed perjurers." I'm
doubtedly something of this sentiment
animated the Jury.
About 2:30 the jurors notified the
bailiff that they had reached a decis-
ion. Judge Simpson was notified, and
as soon as the chief could be brought
into court the jury was allowed to
make its report. 1t took about an hour
to find Col Fred and bring him into
court; he was accompanied by his
wife.
He walked firmly into court and
took his accustomed seat back of his
attorneys, his wife sitting alongside of
him. In short time the jury appear
ed. The court room was packed al
most to suffocation; as they entered
they marched straight to their place.
and Supt. Ames kept his gaze steadily
to the front His wife scanned all the
jurors, closely, evidently endeavoring
to detect what their verdict was prior
to it's reading.
Clerk Ryberg asked the jury if It
had reached a verdict, and Foreman
Hewitt responded that it had. 1t
was handed to Judge Simpson, who
opened it, glancing it through he
handed it to Clerk Ryberg, who read,
While pail fell over the audience, so
that every word was plainly audible
I'VE, the jury, find Fred w. Ames not
guilty"
Mrs. Anes was Overioyed.
At this juncture his wife arose and
threw her arms about her husbands
neck eXclaiming, Historically: II knew
1T, / knew it, Fred" She kissed him
while the tears were streaming down
her checks. The defendant acted as
one in a trance, he could not say anv-
thing, he was so overcome, and SEEM
ingly more affected at the return of the
verdict acquitting him than though he
had been found guilty.
Verdict Not Popular.
From the demonstration in the court
room after the verdict had been an
nounced it was plainly seen that it was
not popular one. Contrary to usual
proceedings some of the audience so far
forgot themselves as to hiss. This dis
approval was soon quieted.
The jury retired from the court
through Judge Simpsons chambers
and Supt. Ames followed them out and
grasped each one warmly by the hand
thanking them for their consideration.
In a short period the densely packed
court room was emptied, and the SEN
sational case was brought to q close.
The verdict about town is not pop
ular one, probably because many ex-
pected a conviction or disagreement
and to have 1t contrary to their judg-
= ment makes them feel disappointed. 1t
is understood that the grand jury is
still working on other indictments
against the chief, which will be return