New-York tribune., 1903-04-18
" AL" ADAMS GUILTY.
IN SHERIFF'S CUSTODY
To Be Sentenced Tuesday-Case
VIII Be Appealed.

The iury in the case of "AI" Adams, the
policy king. at a late hour last night returned
verdict of guilty. Adams, who was standing
at the end of a table and just behind James
Ridgway his counsel leaned forward with MS
hands resting on the table top. but otherwise
he showed evidence of even having heard
the verdict
Shortly after 10 o'clock word came from the
Jury room that the jury had communication
which they wished to present to Justice Scott
Word was sent to the justice, who had gone up
town and about 1890 the clerks began to as
sernbIe in the courtroom. Adams and his law
yers came in. and soon after Justice Scott ar
rived Order was called and the jury filed in
and took their places in the box
TWO questions were presented by the jury as
follows: Whether proof of simple possession
of policy slips is presumptive evidence of pos
session thereof knowingly?' and Whether the
fact of policy slips being found in the trunk is
proof that they were known TO be there by the
defendant"
Justice Scott answered both questions very
briefly He gave the law the subjects, and
it was pointed out that the points had been
covered in his charge After receiving the an
swer the Jury left the box and retired TO the
Jury room They had not been out five minutes
when they returned and announced their verdict
An instant later and 9Ir. Ridgway was on his
feet He said that the case would be appealed
and asked that Adams be brought up for the
imposition Of sentence this morning He eX-
planned that he would then apply for certih-
cate of reasonable doubt and stay the execution
pending the appeal His reason for asking for
the case to be brought up to-day was that
Adams was not in good health, and that by
fling a certificate of reasonable doubt it would
act as stay and the defendant would not be
1-.y,c +arr faClya5 m
To this the District Attorneys Office objected
Assistant District Attorney Schurman said that
he would not be ready. and Justice Scott sug-
sested Monday as the day for Adams 10 appear
before him. To this Mr.. Ridgway said that he
would be busy on that day, and finally Tuesday
at 10 a m was agreed upon
Mr.. Ridgway asked that Adams be given into
his custody until Tuesday. but to this Mr.
Schurman objected. Justice Scott said that ow-
ing to the representation that Mr. Adams was
in poor physical condition. he did not want to be
hard him. and wanted 10 be fair He gave
Adams into the custody of the Sheriff. He said
that he did not care what the Sheriff did with
his prisoner so long as the man was produced
in court On the request of Mr. Ridgway, he
Instructed the Sheriff to use his discretion in the
care of Adams
Adams gave his pedigree to the clerk and was
taken away by the Sheriff. He seemed greatly
surprised by the verdict, but said nothing except
+o whisper few words to his counsel. Mr..
Ridgway said that he was confident the maj
r. s77I+ would be in the favor of his client.
Mr.. Adams did not go TO the TOmbs. but was
taken into custody by deputy sherlu.
The jury went 70 its deliberations at Il;I'
Justice Scott's charge in the courtroom was
considered Favorable for the defence 1t was
brief and consisted principally Of explanations Of
the law AT Mr Ridgway's request he charged
that the manifold sheets found in the trunk
must have been absolutely used in the game OF
policy TO Justify conviction Of the defendant
Assistant District Attorney Schurman LAID
some stress upon the Importance Of the case
and said that Mr.. Adams was the recognized
head and front of the policy business in this
citv Justice Scott told the jury they must dis
regard that and all similar statements because
of no evidence produced in court that MT
Then Justice Scott TefereTd to Mr.. R3dgWay S
declaration that the seizure OF Mr.. Adams
papers was violation of law. and said that all
he evidence indicated that the raid was c2r-
rfed out under the legal protection OF q proper
search warran--
At $50 D. m thn jury sent n written COM
rnunication to Justice Scott, saying that II had
been unable to agree q verdict, and asked.
also 10 he discharged from further duty This
the Justice refused 70 do. account OF the I'M
not taken a reasonable time in reaching de-
cision.
The Iaw making it q felony for any person
knowingly TO have in his possession any polcy
1891. The indictments against Adams were
found in January. 1892. The search warrants
on which the evidence was found were secured
through the cooperation OF the Society for the
Prevention Of Crime and the Anu-PoiicX So
ciaty which is headed ny Captain + Norton
Goddard Deputy Assistant District Attorney
Lord had charge % the preparation OF the case
and assisted Mr.. Schurman at the trial