The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-03-15
Virginia Jury Upholds the Unwrit.
ten Law by Verdict
IN STR0THERS CASE.
Two Young Mon, Who Wcre Charged
With Murder, Were Acquitted for
Having Killed a Man by the Name
Of Bywatcrs for Scducing Their
Sister Under n Promise Of Mar
riagc.

rage.
The unwritten law has been up-
held by u Virginia jury, which rem.
dered a verdict Of not guilty on
Thursday at C%ulpepper in the case
Of James and Phillip Strother, who
was tried for murder, they having
killed William f. Bywaters for ruin
Ing heir sister under promise of
marriage.
The case had excited great inter-
est all over Virginia, and the trial
lasted several days. The jury was
out one hour and a half before 1t
brought its verdict of not guilty.
The case was fought very hard on
both sides, but the verdict was not
unexpected, as 1t was plain that pub
lie sentiment was in favor of the two
young men who were being tried.
All the parties connected with the
case were prominent.
The jurors retired to the Jury
room Immediately after Judge Har-
rison had put the case in their hands
Then began the most trying test Of
the ordeal for the defendants. The
strain was most apparent on the
face OF Phillip Strother, the young
or defendant, while James apparent
ly, was confident OF q favorable YER
dict.
He sat In silence, listening to the
comments Of his counsel, and occas-
ionly offerd words OF consolation to
his wife, who sat at his side. AS the
minutes passed away the situation
became moro strained. many in the
court room taking the delay as an
u%nfavorable sign to the accused.
Judge Harrison, himself keyed to
a high pitch, paced restlessly up and
tho marrow space behind his
bench, while the counsel for both
sides gathered to discuss the mean
ing of what seemed to them n delay.
At precisely lilo o'clock, the
jurymen, preceded by Sheriff Bow
ersett. filed into the court room and
took their accustomed seats.
a breathlcss silence fell over the
room as the spectators waited the
announcement of the verdict.
Gentlemen OF the jury" asked
Deputy Clerk Gilkcrson, have you
agreed upon your verdict?"
I'VE have" replied Foreman Price
handing the verdict to the court Of
fcer. "We find the defendants,
flames and Philip Strotber, not gull
W" was the message read aloud
by Clerk Gilkerson.
The announcement vas the signal
for an outburst of approval which
Judge Harrison quickly silenced.
The effect Of the verdict was, how
ever, instantaneous.
James Strother reached for the
hand OF Mr.. Moore, one OF his
sell, and Philip was quickly surround
ed by the friends who have stood
by the brothers since the opening
OF the trial.
Mrs. James Strother, ovorcame by
emotion, fell forward into her hus-
arms, sobbing and eXclaiming
her thanks.
When the effects OF the critical
moment passed, Judge Harrison adj
dressed the jury as follows:
Gentlemen Of the jury I thank
you for q verdict which | think will
be approved by the pubic, II Is an
establishd precedent in the state OF
Virginia that no man tried for de-
Tending tho sanity OF his home
should be found guilty"
After further words OF approval
from the bench, the jurymen left the
court room. with the intention OF
going directly to their homes in
Shenandoah county.