The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-08
Good Day for Virginia.

of counsel for defense, rs that IL is a
good day for Virginia that on such y
defense us was interposed in this case
q Virginia jury was able to bring in \ |
verdict of not guilty In consideration
of the maintenance OF the homc-liie
in Virginia, as it has always been |
maintained, no good man in the Com
monwealth Gan find fault with the
verdict"
Mr.. Moore alluded to the fact this |
afternoon that there had beer some
criticism of Judge Harrison because
of one Of the instructions given the
jury. "trhe Judge simply told the
Jury said Mr. Moore, that he had |
given them the law governing the |
case. and it was for Thorn to decide all
questions Of fact"
1t was for the iury to decide whether
the defendants were emotionally in |
sane at the time OF the killing. Tho |
instruction which has been criticized |
was taken verbatim from those given
the Jury in the DeJarnette case, In
which the young man who found his
sister in n disordeily house in Dam !
vile shot her dead, and was acquitted, |
The lawyers in the ease which ondcd
too day agree in saying that no judge |
ever presided with greater ability and
fairness than has Judge Harrison.
James Strother Nervous.
At $40 the Jury retired to their room
upstairs. James STROLLER gave slight |
signs of nervousness while the jury was
celebrating. but Philip showed none.
Defendants counsel nnd several ldns
men and friends surrounded them, and
evidently cheercd their spirits. Probably
neither expected q conviction but the
element OF doubt Is not so large in any
tor pf 70 tn.
lie reached by twelve man in jury
room. 1t was a deeply significant fact
that neither of the defendants showed
nearly SO much nervousness while the
jury was celebrating as was shown by
the wife of James Strotner. At first
she tried to talk with those gathered
about her. but soon she lapsed into
silence, sitting with her eyes fixed on
her husband fer the most part coca
sonally gazing anSiously into the faces
of counsel for the defense, but saying
no word.
When the jury had been OFT an hour
1T was believed to be almost certain
that they would reach disagreement.
This belief was strengthened as the
minutes dragged on, and wien the tramp
OF feet was heard on the stairway lead
ing down from the iury-room few OK
pected other than an announcement of
failure to agree.
The jury was polled. AT lilo o'clock,
precisely an hour and a half from the
time the Jury went to their room. Clerk
Coons asked: Gentlemen of the jury,
have you agreed upon verdict
1--WE have was the prompt reply of
NJ. A. Price. who had bean chosen fore
man. and he arose to his feet and handed
an envelope to the clerk.
Even Clerk Nervous.
Mr.. Coons did not succeed in concealins
his trepdaton as he opened the envelope.
He read: eve. the jury, find the defend
ants not guilty" A few persons choercd
family, but Judge Harrison raped for
order, and the sheriff also demanded 81
slence Then cnsued the scenes described
above.
1t was half an hour after the jury re-
turned the verdict before the defend
ants succeeded in getting away from the
courtroom and to the Virginia Houss,
where they lodge. rhroughout the en-
tire afternoon there was an amending
stream of callers and probably 200 te'-
egrams came to the boys from all over
Virginia. from Washington, Maryland,
West Virginia, an.' even from other
States, congratulating them on the YER
dict of acquittal
Philip Strother retired TO his room soor
after leaving the courthouse. He is not
vet we'll by any means. and the attend
ing physician fears an attack of fever.
James Strothcr remained in his room for
several hours, attended by many friends
But. ene Ballot Taken.
He did not care to discuss the trla.
j TO any extent. lie was glad he had had
fair trial. and he expressed his APP
probation of the fidelity of his friends.
He will return to WEIGH, w. Va his
home, on Sunday The jury was agreed
from the first One Of the twelve men,
Mr. Jantz an unmarried man, had some
doubts regarding the verdict they should
bring In under one OF the instructions
and explained he readily agreed that the
verdict should be one of acqulttal.
asked one of the Jurors upon what ground
their verdict was based.
II am not certain it would he pronor
TO reply to that question" he said.
Was Ii the plea of emotional insanty:'
asked.
NO" was the prompt reply, net one
of the jury believed in that doctrine, But
x one of the instructions told us we should
dismiss from our minds all prejudice
towards that as plea for the defense. -
lie paused a moment and theT
added: The sum and substance of tn,
whole matter was we recognized tn,
principle that n man has the right te
defend the purity of his own home"
Another Of the Jurors remarked; Z"
have "A family at home. I should no
have waited as long as the strothoi
boys waited"
If the verdict OF the jury is re
ceived with dissatisfaction here, Tn,
fact Is not apparent, OF course, friend
A of the slain man cannot be expecte,
to approve ii, but they are silent, eA
pressing their sentiments OF disap-
prevail in the quietude OF their homes
From the first there has been evi
dent on both sides of this now celt
brated case a wonderful amount o
restraint and forhearance. which give
surety that the trouble Is ended so ia
s. as the two families are concerned
The attitude Of the Commonwealth i
well indicated by the statement O
Captain Woods; n had rather hay
this verdict than hung Jury, | cam
here to have made thorough inVos
tigation of this case. think / hay
M Anna4s+a