The Washington herald., 1907-02-09
mrs. MAY CONVICTED
Jury Finds Her Guilty OH
Two Counts.
JUROR MADIGAN IN TEARS
Attempt of Attorney for Defense to
Plead Unwritten Law Results In
Released on $1,000 Bail Pending
n Notion for a New Trial.

Mrs. Jennie L. May. VINO shot and
fatally wounded Lucien Conen. a member
of the Marine Band, September y, 1906.
the victim dying a little over a year after
the shooting. was found guilty yester-
day of assault with intent TO Kill and as
sault with a deadly weapon, as indicted
on two counts. by the jury in Justice
Staffords court.
That there was little disseusion among
the jurymen was evidenced when the
verdict was returned after scarcely an
hours elaboration. At the request of
counsel for the defense. judgment was
suspended, pending a motion for a new
trial, aud the woman was released on
$500 bond. The maximum penalty for
the first count is ten years imprisou-
ment, and on the second, five years.
That there was little discussion among
the jurymen was evidenced when the YER
diet was returned after scarcely an hours
for the defense, Judgment was suspended
pending "a motion for a new trial. and
the woman was released on 5000 bond.
Mrs. May received the verdict with
great fortitude Except for a slight
flush that spread over her palHd features
she gave no outward manifestation Of
having heard the announcement OF the
foreman of the jury. Those spectators
who had expected the defendant TO break
down were disappointed. There was a
moment Of breathless suspense between
the question by the clerk of the court and
tho answer Of the jury foreman. What
followed was neither dramatic nor ex-
citing
Defense Hoped for Disagreement.
The judges charge to the jury ended
shortly before o'clock The jury retired,
and after fifteen minutes or so Mrs. May
and her husband also left the courtroom
and waited the return of the jury in the
marshaTs Office. About 3.45 the dis
trict attorneys forces re-entered the
courtroom. and from their demeanor it
was known that the jury had reached
verdict
To those who had followed the case
closely the brevity Of the jury's delibera-
tons was a forecast of the nature of the
decision. The best that was expected by
friends of the accused was a disagree
meut The character of the evidence Of
10 encourage the hope of acqu.ttal
The crowd in the courtroom saw Mrs
May enter. and with staring, morbid faces
looked eagerly for any sign of q break
down. Mrs. May appeared more agitatad
than at any other time during the trial
As she walked TO her seat, it was only 10y
an effort that she held herself erect She
took her chair and grasped its arms on
either side. remaining immOvably i'm this
position until long after the jury had been
dismissed and the details OF her bond
and appeal had been discussed. pro and
con.
Juror MadiEan Wept.
Before admitting the jury, Justice stat
ford warned the crowd against any dem
onstration threatening punishment for
contempt Of court The jury filed slowly
I'm. The faces of the jurors were grave
and. for the most part, stern. One juror,
Frank p. Madigan. was seen to be weep
ing. The clerk questioned as 20 the YER
dict.
Guilty" was the response Of the fore
man, as the question was repeated for
the two counts-assault with intent TO
Kill and assault with "a deadly weapon.
At the request Of Attorney Fulton. the
jury was polled. Mr.. Madigan responded
i'm choked tones The other jurors made
their responses firmly, and with no show
OF emotion.
The details Of the bond were quickly ar
ranged and Mrs May went home with
her husband who has so faithfully stood
by her during the trial As she left the
courthouse, Mrs. MAY burst into tears.
The judge In his charge urged the jury
20 disregard all sentiment. all question Of
relationship between Mrs. May and Co
men, and decide upon the bare question /
whether or not she was insane az the /
time OF the shooting. II they could en- (
terrain any reasonable doubt as TO her 1
sanity. acqulttal should be the verdict I
If the evidence showed beyond any res- I
sUuabic doubt that the act was the prod |.
net Of a merely inflamed and vindictive /
mind, they should find the defendant
guilty Particular stress was laid upon I.
the duty of the jury as regarded the cast /
ing out of all sentiment from their con-
sidcration
Attorney Fulton Reprimanded.
Justice Stanords emphasis on this
point is thought to have been induced by /
the attempt made by Attorney Fulton TO /
Introduce the unwritteu law" in closing 4
his argument during the morning session. /
The attorney had reached q point where .
he declared that Conen should have been
killed, when he was interrupted by Dis
trict Attorney Bakers objection. Justice .
stafford reprimanded Attorney Fulton Sc
Nereiy Toy making such "a statement, saw
ing that 10 was the most reprehe0sfbIa .
utierance he had heard in court of JUS
tee Attorney Fulton apoloEized. and .
continued with his argument. leaving ont
an reference 10 'unwritten law"
Each side took about TWO hours 10 pre-
sent the case. the defense taking ND the
thllIe morning session, and the prescott
lion addressing the jury i'm the after
noon. Assistant District Attorney Turner
spoke tor the people He contended eIo-
quenty that the jury had no other choice
than 10 return verdict Of guilty. as the
defense lue4rsif,- Ia. L..