The San Francisco call., 1904-04-08

At the end OF her second trial Mrs
Cordelia Botkin finds Ferself con-
oenlned once more TO Imprisonment for
life fer numbering Mrs. John p. Dun
ming in 1888.
A. l1:I5 o'clock last night the jury
filed into court and announced its YER
dict 10 be guilty OF murder in the first
degree. with imprisonment for life as
o the penalty. The defendant has thus
been condemned by twenty-four citi-
zens Of San Francisco within six years.
The stoical woman heard the verdict
without visible emotion. except quick
ened breathing. then lapsed into the
mood that has been hers for six years.
The crowd in the courtroom listened
with breathless interest. II any ex-
pected a dramatic finale or the prostra-
ticn Of the prisoner they were disap-
pointed Many eyes were upon the con-
demned. but they beheld a picture Of
silence, not a scene of noisy emotion.
In anticipation Of the prisoners col
lapse and Of q demonstration by the
audience. Judge Cock instructed the
sheriff and his deputies 10 take special
pains TO preserve order. He admon-
ished the crowd that any demonstra-
ticn would be regarded as contempt Of
court
Hints and tendencies during the ar
gument Of defendants attorneys fore
lshadowed a breakdown, but the ex-
pected did not happen. and the morbid
~ curious women. who forsoOk their
respective households during the prog
ress Of the trial, probably went away
disappointed
In the throng attendant upon the last
scenes OF the trial was John P Dun
ming He sought an inconspicuous
place. but he was there TO be in at the
finish. as il were, Of his wife s murder
er and the woman who once loved him.
Dunning did not make his appearance
until the afternoon session and during
the latter portion of District AttOr-
ney ByingtOn's mastery address He
wore a sack suit Of light brown and
was an interested spectator. He often
glanced IN the direction Of the prison
er. but owing TO the fact that her
back was turned she was ObliviOus OF
his presence.
DELAWARE WITNESSES NEAR
AN OF the Delaware witnesses were
in or near the courtroom at the rem
dering II the verdict They made no
comment but appeared satisfied that
justice had been done.
The jury retired at exactly half past
4 O'Clock and il was an anxious hour
that Mrs. Botkin spent until the an
nouncement was made that the
jurors would be taken to supper and
an adjournment taken until S o'clock.
She sat at the table by the side Of her
sister and was intensely interested in
3 copy CT the New Testament. Page
after page OF the Holy Writ she pc
rused until she was taken upstairs to
the City Prison TO remain there dur
ing the absence Of the jury.
At s O'Clock the jury returned and
again began their deliberations. The
crowd in the courtroom had not per
ceptibly thinned out and new recruits
came in droves.
At a quarter past 9 Judge Cook was
informed that the jury desired some
further instructions and accordingly
the twelve men filed into the box. In
reply TO a question Of the court whether
p verdict had been reached Foreman
HNman stated that they had not
reached one. He informed the court
that some OF the jurors wanted the
testimony OF Mrs. Smith. Mrs Price
and DR.. Terrill and some Of the ex-
hibits in the case. Judge Cook in
formed the jury that il was against
the statutes TO take any transcript Of
testimony into the room with them.
but ii there was no objection II would
rot be improper TO read Il to them.
As both the prosecution and the de-
fense were willing, Judge Cook called
for The transcripts.
Foreman Hvman informed the court
that the only portions Of the testimony
~ Mrs Price and Mrs. Smith desired
were those relative 10 DR.. Terrill and
July 81 1925. Judge Cook granted the
request. and read the sections desired
and also portions Of the testimony
'Eiven by the physician. The note i'm
he candy box. Love TO yourself and
baby" and the acknowledged exem-
plsr of Mrs. Botkin's handwriting. TAX
en- from the Ruoff letter. My love.
would that ] could be with you were
also asked FOR. and the jury retired
again TO endeavor TO arrive at a. YER
dict.
JURORS TAKE TIME.
An hour dragged by and still no
agreement. Every one was becoming
anxious. but Mrs. Botkin gave no sign
~ nervous strain. At half past ten
Judge Cook requested the Jurors to
advise him whether they desired to be
locked up for the night. The request
came back that the jury be permitted
10 deliberate until II O'Clock. This an
nouncement warranted hope OF an
agreement. At last the bell in the
tower tolled eleven times almost
mournfully but still no word
from the 5ury-room. Judge Cook had