The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-10-02

Proved That it Was of No Use.
Not guilty, said the jury in the
Shockley case at 7:15 yesterday even
ing after being out little more than an
hour.
The verdict was a surprise to some
while to others it was not, many think
ing from the first that Shockley would
be found not guilty. Owing to the
case having been on the docket so
long the same interest was not exhib-
tied in it as would have been the case
had it been tried soon after Talbert
was killed. A much smaller crowd
was in the court room yesterday than
was expected.
When the verdict was returned
Shockley was visibly affected and his
wife who had been his faithful COM
panion during the whole trial was
overcome with joy. When the fore
man first spoke she was noticed to
give a witch, evidently understanding
him to say guilty" but her husband
leaned over to her and from her
change in demeanor informed her
that she was wrong in her impression;
that ne was a free man.
r the action of the. jury after
His Honor had concluded his charge
&=ome thought that the jury were going
to reach their verdict without leaving
the box. There were others who were
confident that it would be a hung jury
and the judge had this view of the
situation. At least it would appear
that he did for he drew up an order
Of court extending the term until Mon
day morning at 10 O'Clock in the be-
lief that the jury would be unable to
,agree and as a precaution, otherwise
criminal court would have expired at
midnight last night.
The opening speech was made by MIR.
William J. Bellamy for the state. He
spoke about an hour and d half and
made a strong speech, n that made
q good impression on those assembled
in the court room and must have made
the same impression on the jury. Tai
bert was a laboring man, being a
stone cutter, and Mr.. Be1lamy paid a
glowing tribute to the laboring man.
His speech was an able effort.
He was followed by Mr.. ". P. CAT
ford for the defense. Mr.. Gafford
made an analytical speech and
summed up the evidence in a very
able manner, more able IN fact than
would have been expected from so
young a lawyer. Solicitor Duffy in his
speech paid Mr.. Gafford a high compli-
ment. saying that he made a most X
cellent argument. Many favorable
comments were heard On the speech
of Mr.. Gafford.
Mr.. Herbert McClammy, than whom
there is no ADLER criminal lawyer II
the eastern section of North Carolina
addressed the jury next and as usua
he made a capital speech. He was at
tentively listened to by those who ha6
assembled in the court for thu
sole. purpose of hearing the ablt
speeches Of counsel.
For the defense, Mr.. Marsden Bel
lamy, who was referred to by the CO
licitor as my noble brother" con
cluded. Whenever it is known tina
Mr.. Bellamy is going to speak a crow
generally gathers at the court house
II 10 W NC q ChoO Va 3LLRoA AS AAOS
assembled in the court room yesterda,
were not disappointed at the speed
they heard. He made a strong an
eloquent plea for his client.
Solicitor Duffy made a magnificen
speech and presented he case befor
the jury in a most logical name
He did not do this in b dry name
that some lawyers have but in a wa
that kept his hearers interested froI
the time he started until he uttere
his last words to the jury. MI. Duff
has a beautiful flow Of language an
thinks very quickly. He is a very abb
man and it is to be doubted if there
another solicitor in the state as abb
Many regard him as b ablest solic
tor in the state. In the Shockley cas-
he made a hard fight.
Judge Jones charged to the jury We
manifestly fair to both state and d.
Sfendant and he summed up the ev
dence of each side briefly but to tt
point. His charge was short.
FEW TRIVIAL CASES.
After the Shockley case had bee
concluded a few trivial cases we
taken up and disposed Of. Sara
Virgins. charged with larceny, W;
found not guilty. Sandy Jackson>a n
gro who held a man up near the s.
I. station and robbed him, was four
guilty and sentenced to IL {
the county roads. This ended h bu
mess and court adjourned for the d,