Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-03-08
sTROTHERs ACQUITTED;
SINGLE BALLOT TAKEN
Twelve Men Were Out Just One
Hour and q Half Discuss.
ing The Case.
JUDGE PLEASED AT THE VERDICT
Expressed Himself, With show of
Great Emotion, az He Alluded to
sanctlty of Home-Mrs. strother
swooned When the Verdict Was
Announced.
lBy Associated Press,

eBy Associated PreBS.)
CULPEPER, VA, March 1.-THE
jury returned a verdict OF mot gull
"" at 1l:10 a. m. today in the
Strothers case. The jury was out
exactly one hour and half. Only
one ballot was taken.
Just as they jury came from its
private room with the Syerdict,
Judge Harrison said:
81 will ask the court to receive
the verdict with perfect decorum
and quiet"
This injunction was observed
until the words mot guilty" fell
upon the ears of the crowd, and
then there came spontaneous out
burst Of applause.
It was not prolonged, however,
and in no way betokened disrespect
for law and order.
Mrs. Strother. Immediately upon
hearing the ioy.giving words, fell
almost swooning into the lap, of her
bling for a considerable while.
Then fiocked the clans of Strotl,-
er around the erestwhile prisoners
and showered them with congratula-
tons.
Talk about cheap sentiment and
mock emotions, why there was
nothing to do but shed tears when
such finale ended such a day.
!. Reporters, lawyers, friends and even
casual spectators were touched to
the heart and made no effort to
hide their feelings.
And surely it would have touched
breast Of stone twenty minutes
later, when James STROLLER, free
man, was seen walking up the
street through the snow with his
little wife clinging to his arm and
still weeping from very joy.
Captain Wood was ali smiles af-
ter the verdict. Said he:
1--WE tried to conduct the case
on a high and fair plane, and we
didn't wish to hurt anyobdy's feel
inSs. l came here to get at the
bottom OF things and to take 10
advantage of anybody"
Lawyer Was Foreman.
Nj. A. Price, a former lawyer, was
elected foreman of the jury. The
honor came to him on account OF
his legal knowledge Never for n
minute did the jurors disagree
among themselves, nor did they
take but one ballot.
Their delay was over some con-
fusion Of understanding as to one
of the instructions.
Judge Harrison Overcome.
Judge Harrison, when he went to
address the jury after 1t had ren;
dered the verdict. was almost over
come by emotion. His voice trem
bled SO that 1t was almost inaudi
Die, and tears glistened in his eyes.
Judge Harrison spoke as follows
to the jury before discharging
them:
Gentlemen OF the Jury-You
have now for nearly two weeks been
absent from your homes and your
: daily avocations in obedience to the
disagreeabie duty which your State
has imposed upon you. You have
borne every attendant discomfort
with patience and without com.
plant. and your conduct in court
and out has been up to the highest
standard of excellence.
81 have been proud OF the fact
That you have come from county
in my circuit.
In regard to the law that
have given You for your guidance
have taken the instructions most
Iheiy 10 give rise 10 DEBATE, word
for word, from an instruction which
our highest court sanctioned.
Your verdict, too. gentlemen, has
followed the precedent OF American
jurles generally, so far as they have
came under my observation.
Law books may lay down correct
doctrines, but American juries will
not punish man who kills anoth
or, IL that other by aggravatiug and
damnable ireachery invades the
sanctity Of his home circle and de
stroys its peace.
You have listened to this evi.
dencc with scrupulous care. Yor
have been assisted by able and
eloquent representatives of the Com
lnonwcaltl and of the defense to
reach q righteous verdict.
Il know You to be men of higl,
character and high purpose. and
the verdict is iii accordance with
the dictates OF your conscience.
This is all the court could wish
and with ii the court is satisfied.
u hope You Will have pleasant