Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-18
VERDICT SEEMS TO PLEASE THE PUBLIC
Sentiment Expressed at Hearing
News Generally in Favor of the
Result Reached by the
Trial Jury.


Trial Jury.
After deliberating less than three hours,
the jury in the o'Hearn murder case
brought In a verdict at o'clock last night
finding him guilty OF the murder OF Nels
Lausten on the night OF January 20 and
fixing the penalty at death. Every procau-
ton was taken by the authorities 10 pre-
VENT demonstration, and when the verdict
was read only oHearn, his guards and
the court officials were present. The outer
doors of the courthouse were locked, and
no one was admitted until after O'Hearn
had been escorted to a cab, which was In
waiting on the west side of the courthouse.
OHearn took the verdict with the same
stolid indifference that marked his conduct
throughout the trial His nerve did not
desert him even while the verdict of death
was being read, and while he kept his gaze
fixed on the jurors he did not vince when
the fatal words were spoken by Clerk
Broadwell. who read the verdict
His young wife, who sat with him
throughout the trial, was not present when
the verdict was read. She tried to get in at
the south door of the courthouse. but it
was locked and she was not admitted. She
then went around the building to try
another door, and while she was gone the
officers took her husband out of the door
and down the driveway 20 where the cab
was waiting. Mrs OHearn went around
to the north door again after the cab had
been driven away She did not see her hus-
band. She went up stairs to Judge SUIT
toms court room and learned the verdict.
She was sobbing convulsively as she went
down stairs and left the building aloueQs
! O'Hearn's mother who was constant at
tendant at the trial. went home at o'clock
after waiting an hour for a verdict. and
did not return to Omaha.
BaiIiHa Fool the Crowd.
The baiins in Judge sutton's court
| played a fuse on the public to prevent the
possibility of trouble when the verdict was
read. 1t was announced at 8 o'clock that
the jury would be taken to supper and
would not be brought back to the court
house until 1880. The court room was
cleared and even the corridors Of the build
ing vacated before the outer doors were
locked. This precaution was taken be-
cause Of rumors which persisted all day TO
the effect that in case a penalty less than
death was returned an attempt would be
made by the crowd to deal out summary
justice TO the defendant.
The jury did not go to supper at ALL but
remained in the jury room until few min
utes before o'clock, when notice was sent
out that a verdict had been reached.
O'Hearn, who had been taken back to the
Jail, was returned to Judge Redick's court
room on the second floor. where 1t was de-
cided to hear the verdict, as this room is
more conveniently located than Judge Sut-
toms room on the third floor. He was in
charge OF Sheriff Mcdonald Deputies Haze
and Stryker and Captain Mostyn Of the
police force. These, with Judge Sutton
District Clerk Broadwell and Attorneys
Slabaugh and English, were the only ones
beside the jury in the court room. Detec'
tives Patullo and Horne and Sergeant
vanous were held at the ONCE of the jei
for an emergency.
O'HeaFn Listens sfoIidly.
O'Hearn sat between his attorney, ]. =
English. and Deputy Sheriff Haze and wa,
not handcuffed While the formality o
handing in the verdict was going on h,
fxed his eyes on the jury and glanced from
them TO District Clerk Broadwell. who rea,
the verdict Not the slightest trace O.
; emotion was visible on his face Afta
the verdict was read, Mr.. English demanded
a poll of the jurors. AS each juryman We
' asked the question whether or not tn
2 verdict read was his verdict. o'Hearn care
E fully scrutinized the jurors face.
: Judge Sutton then thanked the jury 70
its service and the court adjourned, tn
entire proceeding taking less than ten min
utes O'Hearn. surrounded by policemen
was taken out OF the south door OF IN
court house to the cab which was waitln
i. and was driven away. He was later take
under direction of Judge Sutton TO Llncolr
q where he will be confined In the Beniter
tiary until the time comes TO argue Ga
motion for a new trial. He was accom-
panied by Sheriff Mcdonald and Deput
. Haze.
: While the jury was celebrating o Vicar
= was in his cell at the county jail wher
= he was taken as soon as II was found a
: immediate verdict would not be returne'
= Here he did not show any trace of feeling
= and, as usual. did not talk much 20 thos
= about him. He ate a hearty supper b,
fore going back to the court house, al
y the fact a jury was then deliberatinG q
whether or not TO hang him did not al
pear TO AFFECT his appetite in the least
Time for Any Motions.
The defense has three days In which
Il make this motion and will be given for
days from the end OF the present term
prepare a bill OF exceptions and file It
the supreme court.
VI Just when the argument on the motto
Dc for a new trial will be heard and Il
sentences formally imposed TO one co
II nected with the case could say last Nigh
Be II. b. Fleharty, one OF the attorneys 4
er OHearn. said an appeal would be made
the governor for a lowering Of the senten
TO life imprisonment As Govern
Mickey's views on his duty in this respe
IN are well known, little hope Of action
~ his nari n hald and an ANIMAL 10 Il