The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-23
Jury In Nan Patterson Case
Can't Reach Verdict.
Evenly Divided on Question of
Guilt or Innocence.
DISCHARGED BY COURT
Prisoner Is Again Remanded to
the TombS.
She CoIlapses and Fails to Rec
OgniZe Her Father.

fathers arms her frame quivering with
the accumulated suffering of months of
anxious waiting Nan Patterson today
heard the announcement that the jury
men trying her for the murder of
Caesar Young had disagreed. Soon she
was revived and sobbing Historically
and hardly able to walk, was half led,
half carried, back to her cell in the
Tombs. Her vision of a Christmas at
home, so bright the past few days, was
gone before the uncertainty as to what
the next step in her case might be. Be
fore her trial the district attorney Of
fered to accept bail in $4,000. but this
could not be raised and the prosecuting
officers declined to indicate today what
their attitude onsthis point would be.
District Attorney Jerome said he had
nothing whatever to say at present as
to whether he would agree to d lower
bail or whether he would accept bail
at all. The jury stood six for acquittal
and six for conviction, but so far as
can be learned there was no juryman
in favor of a first degree verdict.
The keenest disappointment was felt
in the court room and in the great
crowd outside when the disa agreement
Molineaux case has there been so much
interest taken in a criminal trial in
this city and many of those present
had hoped for q verdict of acQuittaI.
The closing of the proceedings at this
time. just two days before Christmas,
added to the sentimental interest in the
girls fate and the prospect of spending
the holiday in prison probably accentu-
ated the girls agony when she heard
the words that she was not to be free.
Her father, who has been by her side
ever since the trial began and whose
tender care and devotion to her have
he frrra Of be
trial tried to comfort her, but his sad
dened face and mournfuI expression
robbed the words he uttered, as he said:
Don't worry, little girl; it will come
out all right YETI
Jury out "a Hours.
It was "a hours almost to a minute
after the jury was sent out yesterday
that word was sent to Justice Davis
that II was ready to make it's final re-
port The attorneys were hurriedly
summoned and Miss Patterson's father,
who had been strolling around the cor
ridors was notified that the jury was
about to return. He had scarcely ta-
ken his seat when the jurors took their
places In the jury box. From the ex-
preSsiOns on their faces it was apparent
that their determination had not been
altered in the brief hour that had
elapsed since their foreman informed
the court that an agreement was prac-
tically impossible. A moment later
Miss Patterson walked rapidly down the
aisle and quickly sank into her seat at
her fathers side In her face there was
little to indicate that any hope of ac-
Quittal remained with her. Her clench-
ed hands rested firmly upon the table
and her piercing gaze was fixed upon
the foreman as the customary questions
We're asked by the clerk. When the
reply was given that no decision had
been reached and there was absolutely
no hope of verdict being agreed upon
the defendant for the first time during
her long suspense. gave way completely
-
around her fathers neck and burying
her head on his shoulder. sobbed like a
child Gently the old man returned the
embrace and with Don't worry little
girl; Ii will come out all right yet
he urged her to cheer up. A moment
later she had gained her composure and
with flushed face and downcast eyes
awaited the final word of the court.
Addressing the jury Justice Davis
said:
You have done all that was expected
of you in this case. You have been to-
gether all night and have given your
careful and conscientious consideration
and now I understand there is no pos
sibility of reaching a decision"
There is no possibility Of reaching a
verdict" replied the foreman.
Then I am compelled to excuse you
from further attendance" replied the
Justice
After thanking them for the service
they had rendered he informed them
that they We're at liberty to go. The
court remanded the prisoner for the
time being and she was led back once
more across the Bridge of Signs to the /
cell in the TOmbs prison.
The Final Ordeal.
New York. Dec 23.-Nan Patterson !
collapsed in the Tombs today so COM .
pletely that efforts of the matron, the /
warden and her father to help her
were of no avail, and DR.. Levin, the /
physician at the prison, had to be /
called She was revived considerably. I
ou- it was feared that she would COL |
lapse again when she went to the /
court room.
This morning Miss Patterson asked /
for news from the jury. She became /
hyst ericaI while awaiting for an an
swer, and the TombS warden went to |
see. He assured her that there was no /
news and that she could not possibly
hear anything until it was announced +
in the court room before her. Instead f
o< assuring her this news made her
worse She had a severe attack of
hysteria-
How can ever face those dreadful
twelve men again p" she said. The
warden said she repeatedly cried, the
fear of going back to the court over
shadowing everything else.
The Tombs physician was sent for
In a hurry and prescribed Tor her.
About this time her father arrived at
the Tombs- Owing to her state of
collapse he was allowed to go up to
see her With his presence and the
efforts of the physician she improved
bly, in a short time AS soon
as she was somewhat composed she
was led across the Bridge of Signs to
The criminal court building She was
ken to the pen to wait until YER
5ict had been reached or some con-
,Iusion had been arrived at
Policeman Faints.
There was another giving away of