Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-01
VERDICT NOT GUILTY
Attorney Lipscomb Acquitted
Of Ernbezzlement Charge.
THE SCENE IN COURT
UNUSUAL DEMONSTRATION FOL-
LOWS JURYS ANNOUNCEMENT.
Court Interposes to Restore Order-De-
fendant Warmly Congratulated
by His Friends.
THE SCENE IN COURT

A demonstration entirely unprecedented
in this Jurisdiction, SO far as is known, fol-
lowed the announcement Of Not guilty!"
by the foreman of the jury IN Criminal
Court No. l, today, In the case OF Andrew
A. Lipscomb, of the local bar, tried on the
charge of enbeZzling funds of the Wash
ington Beneficial Endowment Association
The jury, which retired shortly after IL
o'clock last night to decide the question OF
the guilt or innocence of the accused, filed
into court at 1890 o'clock this morning
The room was crowded
There was absolute stiffness when Clerk
Harvey Given put the customary query:
Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed
upon a verdict?
1--WE have" was the reply of the foreman
What say you, is the defendant guilty
or not guilty?" the clerk then asked.
mot guilty!'
A spontaneous shout arose and there was
a concerted move forward on the part of
perhaps the majority of those in the audi
ence. Mr.. Lipscomb turned, glared at AS
sistant United States Attorney Easby-
Smith, and, probably because of nervous
reaction, swayed slightly In the direction
of United States Attorney Beach and Mr..
Easby-Smith. This occurrence gave rise
to a report that Mr.. Lipscomb attempted to
make a personal assault upon Mr. Easily
Smith. His friends nearest him at the mo-
ment grasped him as he swayed and as a
result, a rumor gained circulation that the
defendant had to be restrained by physical
force from attacking one of the officials en-
gagged in the prosecution of the case.
Court Issues Warning.
Fully two score friends were endeavoring
to shake hands with and congratulate Mr.
Lipscomb at the same time The court at
taches demanded order, and finally quiet
was restored The court thereupon took a
hand In the matter and uttered the warn
ing:
IF there is any further demonstration
somebody will find he has made a mistake"
The jury was discharged and court for
mally adjourned. Then the demonstration
was renewed, but In milder tone. 1t was
with extreme difficulty that Mr.. Lipscomb
made his way through the throng of friends
and well-wishers to the witness room ad-
joining, where his wife, his sister and the
ladies of the party had been located when
the verdict was rendered The congratula-
| tions of those especially dear to him were
| offered, and then slowly Mr.. LipscOmb his
| wife and their immediate friends walked to
! his offices in the Stewart building, 9th and
d streets.
Attorney f. Edward Mitchell was the only
| one of Mr.. Lipscomb's counsel in court to-
| day, Messrs. Holmes Conrad and r. Wall
| ton Moore having returned to their homes
| in Virginia. AS soon as he could make him
| self heard after the rendition of the verdict
| Attorney Mitchell moved the discharge of
| Mr.. Lipscomb.
us there anything further against the de-
| fendant?' the court inquired.
| Nothing. your honor" United States At
| torney Beach responded, cheerily, land
| move that he be discharged
No attempt was made to thank the jury
| as is done in many cases. In leaving the
| building Miss Lipscomb remarked impul-
| sively that she did not think the jurors
| should be thanked, for, she added. they
| should have rendered verdict of not guilty
| last night
| Late Proceedings Yesterday.
| After The Stars report of the proceedings
yesterday closed the defense called ten wit
nesses, the majority of them members Of the
| bar Nearly all expressed the opinion that
Mr.. Fields general reputation for veracity
! is ba5.
| The Introduction of evidence having ended
| the summing-up arguments of counsel to
| the jury were in order. Assistant United
| States Attorney Eas5y-Smiih, who figured
prominently in the prosecution, made the
opening argument, beginning at 4 o'clock
He was followed by Attorney Holmes Con-
| rad for the defense. The court at o'clock
took a recess until o'clock. Attorney r.
| Walton Moore for the defense, and United
| States Attorney Beach, for the government
spoke in the order named at the session last
night The court instructed the jury as to
the law governing the case, and at IL O5
! o clock the twelve man retired to consider q