The Ladysmith news and Ingram news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1906, 1905-08-05
JURY ACCOUNTS
KOCH OF MURDER
THIRD TRIAL OF FAMOUS CASE
ENDS IN VERDICT OF NOT
GUILTY.
JURY CASTS BUT ONE BALLOT
UNANIMOUSLY DECLARES THAT
KOCH DID NOT KILL GEB-
HARDT. ~

Mankato, Mimi, Aug. 3.-Acquitted
of the charge of numbering Louis A,
Gebhardt at New Ulm, DR.. George r,
Koch, at the close of his third trial un
der the indictment of the Brown coun'
| ty grand jury, walked forth from the
court house here yesterday afternoon
free man and proved innocent in the
eyes of the law. As became man re-
lieved of the terrible accusation hang
ing over him, and of the care and anx'
iety it had caused for eight long, bit
ter months the young dentist revealed
his happiness in every feature.
Only one ballot was taken by the
jury. 1t was cast Immediately after
the jurors returned from dinner to
which they were called within few
minutes after they had left the court
room to deliberate. Promptly Judge
Cray was notified and soon the words
mot guilty" the two words pre-emt
nent in the brief answer OF the jury 10
the courts question, were heard in the
court room, and lifted great weight
of care from the defendant and his
friends.
Surrounded by laughing, happy
group of relatives and friends after MS
discharge, DR.. Koch seemed like any
other care-free youth, yet there was
simple dignity about his bearing as he
acknowledged the greetings and con
gratulations of those who approached
to offer them.
The jury retired at 11:40 a. M, and
soon went to dinner. A large croWo
gathered in the courtroom, evidently
expecting an early agreement. After
returning from dinner ballot was i'm
mediately taken. 1t proved to be
unanimous for acquittal.
It was a few minutes before
O'Clock when the court was informed
that the jury had agreed, and at 1907
D. m. the twelve men filed into the
courtroom and announced the verdict,
Instantly the spectators burst into
applause which lasted for full min
ute until the court raped for order.
When she heard the verdict, Miss
Ida Koch, the defendants sister, who
trials, showing him loving attentions
put her arms about the doctor anC
kissed him.
DR.. Koch for a moment appeared
overcome with the emotions caused by
the verdict When order had been re
stored. Judge Cray discharged the
Jury. thanking it for it's long and con
lining service. He also made an order
discharging the defendant.
AS the Jurors filed from their box
DR.. Koch and his relatives and attor
neys shook them by the hand anC
thanked them. The judge tilted bach
in his chair. his face beaming benign
expression, and he seemed to be one
of the most pleased men in the court
room.
DR.. Koch when seen after his dis
charge. was in happy frame OF mind
He said that he felt that he had had
fair trial and had received the vindi
cation that he SO much had desired
His name was cleared, and he wanted
to thank all of the court officers who
had participated in the trial, from
Judge Cray down, and also his at
torneys and friends who had stood by
him in his troubles.
DR.. Koch stated that he would re
main over night in Mankato and then
return to his home in New Ulm. AS
to the future, he was not decided, but
thought that he might take vacation
He intimated that he might not reoper
his dental Office in New Ulm, but
might seek a new location, although
he was reticent in his statement or
this point.
Juror Heinzeman, seen after the
discharge. of the jury said the jurors
had gone into the case with differing
opinions but as the evidence had beer
given they had talked it over among
themselves and had come to be Of one
mind, so that it was a foregone con
clusion what the result would be whe;2
the Jury retired. He said the jurors
not only felt that the charge had MOI
been proved against DR.. Koch. but
they were unanimous in their belief Of
his innocence Juror Schaeffer, who
was with Mr. Heinzeman, corrobora
fed everything that the latter had sale
obout the sentiment of the jury.