Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-12
Verdict Of Not Guilty by
Direction of Court.
TESTIMONY ALL IN
POSTAL TRIAL Is DRAWING 10 A
CLOSE.
Government Presents Rebuttal Evil
dence Today-Question Of Prayers
Considered-Scenes Today.

Is COnCeTucu, III titc rust SihSc A|CPdi SiASAAS
conspiracy case. The jury returned the
verdict acquitting Mrs. Lorenz by direction
of Justice Pritchard. upon the motion Of
Attorney Kumler, counsel for Mr.. and Mrs.
Lorenz.
The Machen- ff-Lorenz trial is nearing
the end. Just prior to the taking Of the
usual mid day recess today the introduction
of testimony closed and Justice Prltchard
announced that Notwithstanding statements
by counsel that they were not prepared to
proceed, the consideration of prayers for in
structions that the attorneys desire that the
court shall give the jury would be proceed
ed with at the opening of the session this
afternoon. The trial has been in progress
five weeks lacking one day, and Justice
Pritchard declared that 1t must end some
time.
Just prior to the close of the session this
morning Attorney Kumler. counsel Tor MT.
and Mrs. Lorenz made the motion that the
jury be instructed to return verdict OF
not guilty as regards Mrs. Lorcnz The at
torney asserted that the government had
failed to produce any proof of guilt against
Mrs Lorenz, and added that she should
not have been indicted. Attorney kumler
seemed to be confident that counsel TOT the
government would not oppose the mot1on.
His utterances called forth statement
from Attorney Conrad that In his summing
I'D address to the jury he would deal TAR
ly with the defendants and would discrlrnl-
nate between those who ought to be treated
,eniently and those who ought TO De dealt
with vigorously. He thought the defense
ought to trust the matter to counsel for
the government.
The defense replied that the matter was
not of generosity on the part OF the
apf hn
formally submitted and was as formally
opposed by the United States Attorney for
the District of Columbia. Justice Pritchard
promptly said that he would make known
his decision at the opening of the session
this afternoon.
Mrs. Lorenz Acquitted.
The decision was rendered at the time
specified and was in favor of Mrs. Lorenz
Justice Pritchard merely said:
Il do not think there is sufficient evidence
to go to the jury as to Mrs. Lorenz. The
jury will therefore return verdict of not
guilty so far as she is concerned"
Il told my friends that intended to make
that statement to the jury" remarked At
torney Conr"d Sltlvely.
Attorney Kumler jumped from his chair
aggressively. you did nothing of the
sort" he declared almost shouting. What
you did say was that she was liable on
eight drafts
Now, gentlemen that matter is settled"
Justice Pritchard interposed, and peace was
restored.
Attorney Kumler was the first to extend
congratula tons to Mrs LOrenz, who seemed
to be greatly pleased because of the ruling
Mrs Machen was a close second and Ma
chen third. .- - .s -..
When court had adjourned for the day.
Mrs LorenZ held quite a reception, recelv-
ing, among Others the well wishes OF many
women who were in court as spectators.
Mrs LorenZ, just prior to leaving court,
mounted the bench where Justice Pritchard
was conversing with United States Attor-
ney Beach. and thanked him Tor ms ruling
Justice Pritchard merely nodded his head,
and 1t was apparent that he was not
pleased with the visit
The Prayers.
After the motion in behalf of Mrs. Lorenz
had been disposed of Attorney Douglass
urged that an adjournment be then taken.
He pointed out that since the 18th of Janu-
airy counsel have been working constantly
on the case and had not had time to finally
prepare their prayers for instructions.
Counsel promised to confer with the at
torneys for the government late this AFTER
noon and this evening, and endeavor to
reach an understand ng regarding the pray
ers, and. he added, he thought an adjourn
ment would result in the saving of time
Attorney Douglass suggested that The jury
be excused until next Monday morning. and
that the matter Oh the prayers lOI
tons be disposed of tomorrow.
Attorney Conrad concur ed with the views
expressed by Attorney Douglass Accord
ing to Attorney Conrad, the star route trial
no more evidence had been handled then
than in the present case. The speaker
complimented the attorn sys for thu defense.
as well as his colleagues representing the
government, for their ass duty.
How many addresses viii be made to the
iury?" the court wanted to know
-Four by the defense and three by the
prosecution" replied Attorney Douglass.
What time will you require?' the court
next asked.
Il hope that we shall not be limited" re-
marked Attorney Conrad. 1--WE ought to
get through by Wednesday evening"
IT think that can finish Tuesday in
time for the case to reach the jury that
afternoon" stated Attorney Douglass.
IF the arguments are not finished until
late any day l shall not charge the jury un-
til the following morning" announced the
court. Il do not propose to keep the jurors
here at night"
Counsel for the defense explained that
they would not have more than eight or
ten prayers. Copies of the prayers of both
the government and the defense will be
sent to Justice Pritchard at his residence
this evening.
An adjournment was taken until 10
clock tomorrow morning, the jury being
excused, however, until 10 O'Clock Monday
morning.
Reading Notes.
| The proceedings until just prior to re-
| cess were unusually tedious. At the open
| ing of court the case of the defense was
| finally declared to be closed. The govern
| ment in rebuttal then called as a witnss
| the stenographer who recorded what was
! said in the Office of Fourth Assistant Post
| master General Bristow when Machen was
| Intercepted there just prior to his arrest.
| May q last. The purpose of the govern
ment was to show that the typewriter
| statement read to the jury yesterday was
an accurate recital of what occurred in
| Mr.. Bristows Office on the occasion men
! toned. The stenographer slowly and de-
| liberately read from his original notes.
This consumed great deal of time He
/ was then severely cross-examined for one
1 and one half hours, the inquiry being for
| the most part Of technical character.
| Strokes, hooks, circles, prefixes. word
! signs and other terms were discussed, and
/ many Inaccuracies were admitted by the
witness. to the apparent delight of the de-
! PENDANTS and their relatives. Attorney
| Douglass had the witness write. In short
| hand. source and concerned"
It want the jury to see this" he said
| ba ndipp he fo Of he is,ro