New-York tribune., 1902-12-25
MISS BIGGAR ACQUITTED
Hendricks and Stanton Found
GUILTY of Conspiracy.
Found

Freehold, N j. Dec A-The jury IN the trial
of Miss Laura Biggar. the former actress, ana
DR.. Charles C. Hendricks and ex-Justice or the
Peace Samuel Stanton, brought in verdict this
afternoon acquitting the woman and nnoins
DR.. Hendricks and ex-Justice Stanton guilty OF
conspiracy. charged in the indictment
The jury had been out since 4:30 p. m yes
terday considering the cases Of the defendants
who were tried on the charge of conspiracy to
get possession of the estate of Henry NJ Ben
nett The jury first came into court this fore
noon after almost twenty-five hours del1bera-
ton. The foreman asked Judge Heisley II II
could convict two of the defendants and acquit
one The court told him that the jury could,
under the charges. The jury retired to delioer-
ate. The men looked tired and worn after their
sleepIess night IN the jury room
The verdict received with surprise There
were sreculations how such a finding could be
arrived at and the decision was generally
reached that the conspiracy existed to obtain
the Bennett estate. but that Miss Biggar was
led into the plot as a tool of Hendricks and
Stanton and that sympathy for her on the part
of some of the juryrnen resulted in her ac-
quittal.
The jury, 1t is understood. stood nine to three
for acquittal of Miss Biggar from the first bal
lot to the last. Tt was only after twenty-five
hours of argument that the three jurors voted
to free the woman. All twelve are said to have
been unit from the first to convict the two
men.
Judge Heisley not in court when the jury
filed in, and the clerk received the verdict Tne
three defendants and Mrs Hendricks were
there. The defendants took the verdict cooly.
but Mrs Hendricks sobbed bitterly. She tainted
and had to be carried to her hotel. after oelhs
revived in anteroom
Miss Rieoar feels the sting of the verdict.
After leaving the courtroom she said that the
future was for her absolutely black she had
no plans, and would remain at the hotel IN
Freehold indefinitely. In fact she had no otner
The day for sentencing the convicted men was
not fixed. owing to the absence of Judge HE'S,
ley. Counsel for the defendants said an appear
would be filed at once.
After Mrs Hendricks had been revived and
before she left the courtroom shee took an az
fectionate leave of her husband She put ner
arms around his neck and kissed him repeatedly
She finally led weeping from the court
room Miss Biggar's thoughts seemed 70
be directed more to the condition OF Mrs. Hend-
rcks and the fate of Hendricks and Stanton
than toward her own acquittal She showed
the create sympathy for Mrs. Hendricks, ana
did everything in her power to comfort her
When the jury came in this morning ana
asked If It might convict two ana acquit one
the general surmise was that stanton would es-
cape. 1t was generally believed that, II the
States contention true and he did any
wrong. he did it for cash. The prosecutor does
appointed. he aimed to convict Miss Btggar
more than either of the other two, and it was
against her his sharpest attacks were made.
If Hendricks and Stanton should obtain a new
trial, it is doubtful if the case Is ever moved
that Miss Biggar is safe from attack on
the conspiracy charge 1t is said TO be probable
that the perjury Indictment may be moved
Stanton Is also under indictment for perjury
1t is expected that Miss Biggar will at once
restart her fight for her share of Mr.. Bennetts
money. She stands in an excellent position. The
bulk OF IL is hers If the Will be sustained, and
there now seems no reason why 1t should not be.
The genuineness of the document has never been
questioned. That II was legally made and
signed seems undisputed. The clause forb!dding
a contest may prevent the persons opposed 10
Miss Biggar entering into fight although 1t
has been suggested that this can be done. There
are some small bequests in the Will BY induc-
ing OF the benehciaries to contest and for
felt rights. the whole thing might be contested
to the last resort. Those who might be be~etit-
ed could guarantee the contester his her share.
no matter what the outcome. ANY how ii will
be half generation before the Bennett will case
is finally wiped out and finis written to IL. for it
will be almost that length Of time before Miss
Biggar will finally become fully possessed OF
her share under the terms Of the will