New-York tribune., 1907-02-08
DIR. SIMPSON ACQUITTED
Jury Finds That Dentist Did Not
Kill His Father-in-Law.

Raverhead. Long Island. Feb 7.--Dr. James
wadden Simpson. whose trial for the alleged
murder OF his father-in-law. BARLEY T. Horner
at Eorthport. was begun here on January 2S
was acquitted by the jury to-day. and the ver-
dict seemed TO meet with popular approval
Supreme Court Judge William Kelly. who pre-
sided at the trial. had warned the spectators
against making any demonstration, and the
verdict was therefore received in silence. After
ward DR.. Simpson was congratulated by many
persons, and the general feeling appeared to be
that the Jury had done its work well.
Mrs Bowman. DR. Simpsons sister, who came
from her home in Virginia to be with her broth
er during his ordeal and had been a pathetic
figure as she sat by his side during the trial
broke down when the verdict was announced,
end, with her brothers arm around her, wept
The jury took only two ballots, although it
went out st 1915 a m. and did not report that
Il was ready with a verdict until 1920 p. m. It
entered the courtroom ten minutes later, and
the foreman announced the verdict Of acquittaL
The first ballot stood 10 10 for acquittal,
while the second unanimously in favor OF
setting free the accused dentist. It was not
revealed how the minority voted on the first
ballot
DR.. Simpson. after his release from custody,
said he was going to work just as soon as he
could find a "hole in the wall" in which to start
occurred on December 27. 1905, and the dentists
arrest followed soon afterward. He has been
IN prison over q year. but physically his con-
6nenent has done him no harm, and he appears
70 be in excellent health.
The motive ascribed for the alleged murder
was AIr. Horner's intention TO make a new will,
in which his property was to be left in trust to
his wife and daughter, so that the son-in-aw
could not get hold of any Of it. 1t was further
set forth by the prosecution that there had been
frequent quarrels between DR.. Simpson and his
father-in-law over the formers alleged drinking
and gambling habits.
The defence conteuded that the gun with
which the shooting done went off while
Dr. simpson was preaklng II prepal4loLy 4 Ii 10
cleaning it. and that the shooting was purely
accidental The dentists wife and mother-in-
law were the principal witnesses against him
at the trial
After leaving the courtroom Dr. Simpson. his
sister and q woman cousin went TO the Griftln
House where thew had dinner. They had about
finished the meal when the Jurors who had
tried the dentist walked in and sat down at
table. Dr.. Simpson before leaving the dining
room walked over to where the jurors were sit
ting. shook hands with each Of them. and eZ-
pressed his thanks for the verdict
DR.. Simpson his sister and cousin and Mr..
1Ianton. his counsel. all left here for New York
the $40 2. m train.
When Mrs. Horner was asked her opinion Of
Tire iury's verdict she said: 7 am completely
durnfounded for the present. I had no idea that
there was so little justice in the law Mrs.
Simpson refused TO express an opinion on the
verdict. Neither Mrs Horner nor Mrs. SImp-
son was in court to-day.
Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. Horner took the same
train for New York which carried DR.. Simpson.
Asked about the chance for reconciliation with
his wife Dr. Simpson said: Il sincerely hope
;here may be one but that must be left to the
future"
Mrs. Simpson who had testified that she saw
her husband look through the barrels Of the gun
before the discharge that killed her father, is
alleged to have visited the County Clerks office
and collected for the entire time she has spent
jn this place the 50 a day allowed TO witnesses
for the People. Mrs. Horner, widow Of the vic
tim Of the shooting and mother-in-law of DR..
Simpson. IS also said to have collected the wit
ness fees 10 which she was by law entitled.
Judge Kellys charge 70 the jury abso-
lutely impartial. Not by the weight Of hair
did Il favor either side. At its conclusion,
however. Mr.. Manton counsel for DR.. Simpson,
secured the additional charge that good char
acter IS something the jury must always con-
sider."