Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-05
CONVICT one OF BOODLERS
Pleading Statute of Limitations DSes Net
Work with St. Louis Jury.
DEFENSE HAD EXPECTED A HUNG JURY
Intense Interest Manifest by People
in Case and Defendant the Cool
est Man I'm Court
Room.
DEFENSE HAD EXPECTED A HUNG JURY

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 4.-Robert Mcclure
Snyder was convicted OF bribery in the
criminal court tonight and was sentenced
to Ave years Imprisonment in the state
penitentiary, after the jury had considered
for fifty minutes it's verdict on the case,
which had occupied an entire week in pre-
sentation. The Jurors had retired at 9:4f,
after almost four hours Of arguments by
the attorneys for the defense and the state.
No bondsmen were present when Snyder's
was announced, the defense hav-
ing apparently been confident that its testi-
mony concerning Snyder's residence in
Kansas City would convince the jury that
he was entitled TO the benefits of the stat
ute Of Limitation as a shield for his crime.
The Incarceration OF the convicted man
seemed to be imminent. when two OF his
attorneys, Judge Henry s. Priest and Nor
ton Jourdan. signed his appeal bond for
s25. 900, securing his release until the term
OF court commencing Monday. Early in
this term Snyder will be sentenced and mo-
lions for appeal and a new trial filed.
The close OF the trial was marked by
Incidents of no less absorbing interest than
those OF Thursday, when the story OF
Snyder's colossal Doodle transactions and
wholesale purchases Of councilmen was re-
vealed on the witness stand.
During the final pleading OF the case the
court room overlooked with spectators.
During the speeches OF Judge Priest for
the defense and Circuit Attorney Folk for
the state the utmost stiffness prevailed.
Especially did all references to the crime
Of bribery hold the interest of the auditors.
Bet on the Verdict.
During the jury's absence the crowd grew
greater and betting pools were formed by
speculative persons in the Four Courts cor
ridors. The most favorable prediction made
in Snyder's behalf was a hung jury. Many
believed that the defense had shown facts
in the matter OF residence which would
convince some, at least. Of the jury that
Snyder is and has been a resident OF Kan
sas City.
In the whirl Of the current OF intense
interest which revolved around him, Sny-
der sat apparently immobile. When the
verdict was read hardly an instant's change
in his expression could be noted. He
watched the Jurors as they pressed their
way through the almost unyielding crowd,
AS Foreman Charles W. Wall broke the
silence, he leaned slightly forward, in
tently listening.
"Guilty-hve years" we're the words
which stood out from the formal Ian
guage of the foreman's report in the hear
ing OF Snyder and OF the throng gathered
to learn his fate.
The convicted man shifted in his chair
and sat motionless while cOngratulatine
hands were extended past him TO GRASP
the hand OF Circuit Attorney Folk.
Few OF the assemblage in the court room
left until il had been definitely learned
that Snyder would not pass the night IN
Jail. Then the court room was abandoned
and Snyder. free for the time being. left
accompanied by his attorneys.
The conviction OF Snyder followed a Ions
course OF testimony and the controversy
which had nothing to do with the maiI
charge Of bribery, but everything to do II