The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-03-20
Stiffness Is Absolute.

u lOuO OouCCo a CChOCiCO VI
pom the defendants.
Stiffness Is Absolute.
When the jurymen filed into
their places after a four days
vigil in which they twice announc-
ed that 1t was impossible for them
to agree, absolute stiffness reigned
In the court room. Colonel Coop
or and his son were slightly pale
but showed no agitation. Near
the colonel sat his two daughters,
who appeared worn out by the
tension of the trial and jury de- s
lay.
Women HeartbrOken.
When the verdict was announc-
ed neither defendant showed emo
tion but took the result calmly.
The young women, daughters Of
one defendant and sisters of the
other, however, were heartbroken.
Unexpectedly Judge Hart called
upon the Coopers to stand up.
Electrified by Sentence.
The sharp summons of the
court took them by surprise. They
arose quickly and the judge pro-
nounced a sentence of tweaty
years in prison. The c0lOne1'e
daughters sprang to his aide 70
comfort him and for q few mo-
ments their sobs and his muir
INJURED comfortings were the only
sounds in the court room.
To Take an Appeal.
As soon as the girls were led
out the counsel for the defend
ants announced that an appeal
from the verdict and Judgment
would be taken soon. In sup
port of an appeal. the defense
caused copies to be
made of the court record showing
the words of Judge Hart to the
jury when 1t was announced that
they could not agree on the ver-
dict in regard to the Coopers.
after acquitting former Sheriff
Sharpe of the crime.
Basis Of Appeal.
The words of the court, cub
informing the jury that
they must convict or acquft will
be made the foundation for an ap-
peal for which the defense today
is paving the way.
After the usual notices had
been made by the attorneys Judge
Hart granted the release of the
convicted men on ball fxed at
$4,000 each.
One Man Held Ont
During the time the Jury waS
eighteen ballots were
cast to determine the defendants'
fate. The first ballot resulted III
the unanimous acquittal Of
Sharpe. The vote on the Coop
ers revealed the jury standing fivo
for conviction on murder in the 4
first degree, six favoring c0nvic-
tion in the second degree and one,
s. M. Hyde, holding out for no.
quittal.
After several ballots eleven
jurymen were voting for convfc-
tion in the second degree and nm
ally Hyde was won over.
Jury Fixed Term.
Under the laws of Tennessee
the jury Axes the penalty N ~
cases except those OF Convictions
IN the first degree. The min4muuI
for the crime of which the C0u1
ers were convicted is ten years.
After considerable discussion tlf1
jury agreed on the inaximum ol
twenty years in the penftent tinr1. 5
After the verdict the jury Wus tllIs
charged. I. =. s.
Attorney General sMcCArn. - W1 + (
conducted the prosecution OF q Z
defendants, showed his ea4isf6l
tion at the outcome of the TRIAL.
Motion Denied.
Judge Hart denied motion a. +.
the part Of the attorneys Tor tho
defense to set aside the Verdict
on the ground that It nferfer11
win tho verdict brought h y
terady. .I...s s
1t developed that the xertio
was ready since last might but III D
Judge Hart refused 10 cpnvo9>@
court until today. 8 5 s..
After their release on bai< ~
Coopers were driven to ehe hzxn1
Of Mrs. Bprch. daughter q u {
colonel 50 q s.
Arguments for i new <xla1 IA
be he'd April 8. S
y s.1. | + 81 +.