Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-16
NOT GUILTY
Says Jury and Ex-Lieut. Gov
Ti||man Is Discharged.
Friends of Accused Make Great Dem
onstration in Courtroom.
Jury Out About 20 Hours-The Defend
ant Discharged.

Lexington, >. g., Oct. 15.-The trial oil
James H. Tillman, who was charged
With the murder of n. c. Gonzales
editor of the State, in Columbia. Jan.
10, last. ended, today, in an acquittal
Tillman has been on trial since SEPT.
! Is. The jury was out for 30 hours be-
fore arriving al 4 verdict. Never was
a case in South Carolina courts mere
Vigorously contested than this. The
| solicitor was assisted in the prosecution
| by four other lawyers, While the accus-
cd was defended by several lawyers.
More than 100 witnesses gave testi-
mony, and nine lawyers argued before
the jury.
Except for tie court officials, men,
bers of the local bar and the newspaper
men the court was practically deserted
when the jury returned. Summonses
We're sent for the attorneys in the case
and the sheriff was directed to bring
the accused into court The defend
ant occupied his customary seat among
his lawyers. facing the jury. Not all
the attorneys had come in VIXEN the
court asked if this would be any objec-
ton to having the verdict announced
without waiting. No objection was
offered
"Gentlemen, have you agreed upon 4
verdict" was the time-WOrn inquiry
then made by the clerk, '"ha foreman
replied in the ALTERNATIVES. at the same
time handed the verdict 20 the clerk
who took but an instant to read it and
when the words mot guilty" were
heard some friends of the defendant
gave vent to their feelings by Il shout
though the court had previously ;2d
monished those present not to make
any demonstrat ton. The motion by
counsel for the discharge of the defend
ant was Immediately signed by Judge
Gary, the solicitor asserting and Till
man was at liberty.
When the legal formalities had been
gone through with Tillman walked up
TO the bench and shook hands with the
Judge, after which he shook the hand
Of each of the jurors and later was
surrounded by his friends who extended
their congratulations. He left the court
room and went at once to the Jail to
gather up his effects. He has been in
custody since Jan. Il. his application
for bail having been refused.
Mrs. Tillman and the defendants
mother We're not in the court room
when tie verdict was announced but
the former met her husband at the Jail.
The mother was Fastening to The court
house when she met her son coming tut
on the street. Learning the result she
threw her arms around his neck. Later
I'll gathered at the hotel where they re-
ceived their friends ana relatives.
Soon after the jury went out, yester-
day afternoon. 4 ballot was taken
which resulted in Il vote Of 10 to = for
an acquittal. Soon after one of the
minority joined the majority, leaving
enc juror standing out. He held to his
views and kept the jury out all night.
1t was only about 20 minutes before the
knock was heard on the jury room door,
this morning, that he yielded.
James H. Tillman after his acquittal,
made the following statement to The
Associated Press.
Il feel very grateful at the result of
the verdict but at no time did | appre-
bend any serious consequences. |. OF
course deeply regret the death of Mr..
Gonzales but l was forced to do what I
did. ! have never apprehended a con-
victiOn for | felt that / did no more
the same circumstances and what |
was compelled 80 do. My position was
fully stated in the testimony | gave on
the stand.
II did ask for a charge of venture be-
cause | was convinced on account of
prejudice in Richmond county, that [
could no, get Il fair and impartial trial
in that county. | felt sure that as soon
as my case could be presented TO an
impartial jury I could be indicated.
Tho verdict has justified the correct
ness of my judgment. Lexington
county was selected by the prosecution.
Its people are lawabidding and have
long been noted for the correctness of
their verdicts and have been praised by
the press
Tillman and his wife left in the after
noon, for their home in Edgcficld