The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1909-07-29

v
read by Judge William II. Pope in dis
trict court last night in the case OF
the Territory against w. T. Wells ac-
cnsed OF the murder OF Ollie Shirley
oa the sub day of last March and af
ter trial lasting for sixteen DAYS.
The Jury retired shortly before II
O'Clock yesterday morning, and IL was
not long before the case was in theiy'
hands for consideration and to deter
mine the guilt or innocence of the ac-
cused.
At the time the Record went to
press yesterday no intimafion that 4
verdict would be returned was heard
from the jury. and owing to the fact
that they were unable to come to an
agreement sooner. il was expected
that hung jury would ibe the result.
However shortly after eight o'clock
last night word was received from
the jury that it had arrived AT an ag-
Teenent and was ready to submit a
verdict The proper court officials,
the defendant and his attorneys were
notified. and they hastily gathered a.
the court house. II also became
know by the general public that ver
dict was to he returned and the court
room was soon well filed.
There was a short wait pending the
arrival of District Attorney Hervey.
II was noticeable that the defendant
w. T. Wells. though outwardly self
controlled and calm, was really labor
ing under a strain and was awaiting
the result with much concern and
doubt His attorneys were confident
gla.A
verdict would be one of acquittal
Among the general public the opinion
was divided. but the majority probalO-
ly. were inclined to look for a verdict
of acquittal
AT $50 the jury filed into the box.
and being asked If they had arrived
at an agreement answered in the al
firmative and the verdict. one of four
forms previously prepared by the
court. was handed to Judge Pope. He
opened and read to the court the YER
dict of mot guilty" which freed w. 7.
Wells from the charge hanging over
him. and ordered that ii be entered
on the official records and the defend
ant discharged from further attend
ance upon the court.
Court was then adjourned until nine
O'Clock today and the jury left the box
to once more take up their ordinary
occupations. They were greeted by
Mr. Wells, who thanked each of them
for the verdict and were also congrat
ulated by a number of the persons as
sesnbled Mr.. Wells was also con
graduated by his friends and his at
torneys were not forgotten.
The history of the case in the jury
room is naturally full of interest TO
the many people who have followed
the Wells case closely. The first vote
stood six for acquittal and six for
conviction. This brought on a discus
sion of the case. developing the fact
that the six who stood for conviction
were wavering in their decision and
the six who were for acquittal were
very decided in their opinion. The
six who first voted for conviction at
that time favored a light punishment
for one of the lighter ma1slaughter
degrees. After discussing the matter
all afternoon and an occasional bal
lot, there was little or no change In
the jury. When the proposition came
up again after supper, Ii was not
long before there was a general CON-
ing over on the part of those who had
stood for a light punishment, and at