Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-15
CORDOVA CONVICTED
VERDICT OF GUILTY AFTER SIX
HOURS CELEBRATION.
Crowded Court Room Applauded Yer
dict Against the Eloping
Preacher.

After six hours deliberation the jury
which tried ]. Frank Cordova, the for
mer South River minister, who eloped with
pretty Julia Bovine, one of his choir sim
gers, for abandoning his wife, came into
court at New Brunswick, N. J.. last night
with a verdict of guilty indicted
Cordova appeared to be greatly shaken
by the verdict He will probably be SEN
fenced on Saturday. The extreme penalty
is Imprisonment for one year.
AS soon as the case given to the
jury yesterday afternoon the second in
dictment against the eX-minister was called.
1t accuses him of assault and battery upon
his wife. She and her fourteen-year old
daughter will be the principal witnesses.
jury was selected and the taking of tes-
tmony will begin today.
Cordova's Defense.
In the abandonment case, Mr.. Cook, coun-
sci for Cordova elected a statement that
Cordova had been in the habit of giving
his wife all his salary, with the exception
of $40 a month. The prosecutor objected
to the Introduction of letters received by
Cordova from his wife while he was in
Mexico, and was sustained by Judge Strong.
After Cordova had testified that he di-
rected his wife to sell 500 worth of prop
erty and apply the proceeds to her per-
sonal needs the defense rested.
In summing up Prosecutor Berdine scored
the former minister severely, and once
Cordova leaped from his seat in fury. sink
ing back again when the spectators, howled
at him and shouted sit down.
The close of the prosecutors address was
marked with cheering, which the court
officers could not suppress.
There was loud hand clappng and
stamping of feet. Good! good cried
some one and a woman in the back of the
room called Now give it to him.
Judges Charge.
Judge Strong's charge was plainly against
Cordova. The jury must consider, he said,
why it was that the minister had left his
home.
WAS it to better himself or the family
he was leaving? There is nothing to show
that But he has said he provided for his
family But was il adequate? He sent her
only about $40 in ten months. He cannot
come here and claim that he was away
and could not earn Il proper amount TO
support them.
When there came a pause after the jury
men had been led to their room by Bailif
Gordon, Mr.. Bernine arose and asked that
the court proceed with the second indict-
ment against the former South River min
lister.
Counsel for Cordova, Mr.. Cook objected.
The judge insisted and ordered another
jury panel. When twelve new men had
the box Judge Strong intimated that 1t
might be well to wait for a few moments.
He did not think the jurymen who were
out would be detained much longer. If the
men came filing in while testimony was be-
ing heard in the second case, it's effect
might be lost. When an hour elapsed and
still no sign had come from the jury, Judge
Strong adjourned court until this morning.
Bovine Girl Faints at Verdict.
AS the hours passed Cordova grew hope
full. BY o'clock he was jovial. But when
he heard the news at a few minutes after
10 O clock he collapsed he wept; he scream
ed. His cries rang through the corridors
of the Jail. His means reached the ears of
Julia Bovine. for whom he had deserted
church, children, wife and friends. She fell
in SWOon when the full force of the juryS
verdict struck her. She could not be con-
soled. Between the two Sheriff Carman
had a trying time of it last night. Ply
sicians had to be called medicines admin
istered and later guard placed over
both their cells to that neither harmed
themselves.
Cordova had broken down before he left
the courr room. Seldom a face shows tor
ture more plainly than his did after the
jury had disa ppeared, when he looked about
him in vain for one kind eye, for one glance
of sympathy.
He was standing at his counsefs side
when suddenly he gave way to flood of
tears. He knew the signs; he had heard
the shouts of approval at the conclusion
of Prosecuting Attorney Berdine's excori-
ating arraignment; had looked into the
faces of those jurymen and seen no trace
of compassion. Mr.. Cook tried to console
him, and in his attempt himself gave way
to his emotions. 1t was pitiable, pathetic,
dramatic scene.
Mrs. Cordova was happy when the news
of the verdict was carried to her. She did
not make any concealment of her satisfac-
ton. From heart of love hers had turned
to one of hate. She showed this plainly in
the court room. When she watched the
father of her children tell of his flight she
moved nervously in her seat as if unable to
restrain herself.