The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-15
Four Ballots Taken, a Clear Majority
Favoring an AcquittaI on the
First Vote Taken.
HEARD THE VERDICT UNMovED
FODREA's MOTHER THE FIRST To
GREET HER SON.
Crowd at the Last Days Hearing
John DiehI's Trial Again POST
pOned-The Shepherd Case.
Special to the Indianapol,s journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NOBLESVII4LE, Ind, June 1.-THE jury
in the Fodrea murder trial, after being out
one hour. returned a verdict OF acquittal at
o'clock this afternoon. Four ballots were
taken by the jury. The first was s for ac-
quittal and for conviction, the second
9 to g. the third II to l and the fourth a
verdict of acquittal.
The scene in the courtroom was impress
sive and remarkable. Judge Neal cautioned
the audience which crowded the courtroom
to refrain from any demonstration. When
the jury filed into the room and handed it's
verdict 10 the judge there was profound
stiffness. When the verdict, I'VE, the jury,
find the defendant not guilty." was read
there was a sigh of relief from the crowd.
Fodrea was as calm and undiSturbed any
person in the room. His mother was the
first TO clasp his hand. Quietly he took the
hand of each juror and thanked him, while
a smile played over his face. His relatives
and friends then engaged in a love feast
that lasted some time. His devoted sister
Leota was not present when the verdict
was returned but soon after met and en-
braced him and escorted him to the home
from which he had been absent for six
months.
Thus ends the second act in the most
mysterious tragedy that ever occurred in
Hamilton county.
The courtroom was crowded this morning
for the closing arguments in the case. L. s.
Baldwin closed for the defense and Ralph
Kane made the final argument for the
State. Judge Neal instructed the jury at ?
p. m.
Arguments were not reached as quickly
in the case as had been expected. 1t had
been intended to begin the speeches with
the opening of court yesterday morning.
but the discovery of new evidence by the
defense changed the programme. The new
evidence was that of Thomas Levi who
testified that his daughter MYRTLE Levi
jury had found the indictment against
Fodrea, that she did not believe that Fod-
rea was of the strangers who visited
her house on the night of the murder and
who had a shotgun with them. Miss Levi
had testified that. after seeing Fodrea in
Jail, she was positive he had called at her
house that night. Sheriff Bray was put on
the stand again and said Miss Levi told
him at the Jail that Fodrea was the man
who called at her house. This closed the
evidence. The argument began at l o'clock
Friday afternoon. the courtroom and gal
leries being crowded as usual Prosecutor
J. L. Beals opened the case for the State.
He argued that the chain of circumstances
was complete, fixing the guilt of William
Fodrea, much stress being laid by the State
on the motive OF the defendant and his
threats TO Kill Seay, and that his absence
from home that night was not satisfaC-
torily explained. Prosecutor Beals was
followed by Attorneys w. ;. and Ira w.
Christian for the defense. They contended
that the State had fallen far short in prov
ing Fodrea's guilt; that the circumstances
were not connected; that the defendant
was entitled 10 great credit on account of
doubt had not been removed by the evil
dence.
This brought the proceedings down to-
day. as already narrated.