The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-16
Verdict Rendered After Alb
sence of Twenty Hours
From Courtroom.
The CONTEST VIGOROUS
Tbs Solicitor Was Assisted by Four Other Law
yers While the Accused Was Defended by
Seven-.-More Than Hundred Wit
nesses Gave Testimony.
nesses Gave Testimony.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Lexington, S. c., Oct. 15.-The trial of
James H. Tillman, who was charged with
the murder of N. G. Gonzales. editor of
The State in Columbia, on January 18th
last, has come to an end. resulting in an
acquittal The jury before which he has
been on trial since September %, today
brought in a verdict of not guilty, thus
ending judicial hearing, which has en-
crossed the attention of the public of
South Carolina as none other has in the
last quarter of a century
The jury was out for twentyhours be-
fore arriving at a verdict. Never was a
case in South Carolina courts more Wig
orously contested than this The solioi
tor was assisted in the prosecution by
four other lawyers, while the accused was
defended by seven lawyers, an exceptional
array of counsel. More than a hundred
witnesses gave testimony, about as many
on one side as the other. and nine law
yers argued before the jury.
There was general exodus today from
Lexington, the population of which has
been materially increased during the trial
Practically every one attending had come
from other parts of the State. Mr.. Till
man left on an afternoon train for his
home in Edgefield, accompanied by his
wife and friends from his home county
Not sound had emanated from the
jury room when Judge Gary convened
court at $3.50 o'clock today. to indicate
that an agreement had been reached. Civil
business was taken up and more than
hour ha6 alo hofo lxrooa
hear on the door leading into the jury
room. The bailiff announced that the
jury desired to come into court, but the
deep significance of the sound had al
ready been appreciated, however. and all
eyes turned toward the jury room. Judge
Gary directed the bailiff to ascertain if
an agreement had been reached when
word came from within that the jury was
returning with a verdict.
Except for the cour, officials, members
of the local bar and the newspaper men
who have followed the trial the court
room was practically deserted. Sum-
monses were sent for the attorneys in the
case and the sheriff was directed to bring
the accused into the court. The wore
soon spread up aad down the street that
the jury was aioUV to report. Tae jurors
filed in and ok the seats they had oc-
cupied for 50 many days but as all the
attorneys lad not arrived there was
delay Of a few moments before their de-
cision was announced. The few minutes
elapsing between the coming in of the
jury and the announcement of it's verdict
were anxious ones. The defendant occu-
pied his customary position among his
lawyers, facing the jury. Not all the
attorneys had come in when the court
~, sz-l:
to having the verdict announced without
waiting. calling attention to the strain
SO apparent throughout the room. No OBJ
lection was offered.
1t took but an instant to read the yer.
dict and when the words mot guilty
were pronounced some OF the friends Of
the defendant gave vent to their feelings
in a shout.
The previous admonition of the court
did not prevent the demonstration.
The motion of counsel for the defense
for the discharge of the defendant was
Immediately signed by Judge Gary, the
solicitor asserting and Mr.. Tillman was
at liberty. When the legal formalites
had been gone through with, Mr.. 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 departed from the court room in
company with his attorneys but left them
at the front door to go across the street
to the Jail for the purpose OF gathering
up his affects He has been IN custody
since January Is, his application for bail
having been refused.
Mrs. Tillman and his mother were not
in court room when the verdict was an
nounced, but the former had been APP
prlscd of an agreement and was at the
Jail to await the announcement. The
mother had heard at her hotel, some two
blocks away, that the jury had como in
and was Fastening on her way to the
court house when she met her son coming
cut on the street. Learning the result
she threw her arms aroun0 his neck
and manifested her joy in silence. La
ter all were at the hotel. where
Mr.. Tillman met friends and relatives
and also had long talk with his attor-
ncys. Senator Tillman was not present
today. having gone yesterday to his home
at Trenton, where his wife is recovering
from injuries received in a runaway acct
dent. A telegram was hastily sent him
advising him of the outcome.
The long drawn out deliberations of the
jury and the failure to report into court
during yesterday afternoon or through the
night intensified the strain on those who