The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-16
Defendant In Murder Case Is Freed of Charge After
 Long Delay
DEMONSTRATION IN COURT
 IS MOST REMARKABLE
Father and Mother of Defendant Are Overcome By the Good News. Peter c. Hains May Never
 Come to Trial.

Flushing, N. Y, January 15.-After re- viewing the evidence for 22 hours and taking 15 ballots before all were agreed the jury in the trial of Thornton Jen- kins Hains this afternoon found the pris- oner not guilty as a participant with his brother. Capt Peter c. Hains, Jr., in the killing of William E. Annis. For the sec ond time in his life Thornton Hains has been found not guilty of the charge of murder, he having been acquitted of mur- der in the shooting of companion named Edward W. Hannigan in an open boat in Hampton Roads r years ago.
 Thornton Hains had an affecting greet ing with Captain Hains in the Long Island jail, where he hurried in a motor car after the verdict to bring his brother the news. General Hains and his wife who had been anxiouslN awaiting the yer dict in the Hotel Astor in Manhattan, heard the news from Thornton, who tele- phoned his parents as soon as he left the courtroom.
 After spending an hour with Captain Hains in the Jail, Thornton Hains went to the Hotel Astor, where he remained throughout the evening and night with his father and mother.
 Unexpected Verdict.
 Thornton Hains was overjoyed at the verdict, which came unexpectedly and at a time when Justice Crane, believing that a disagreement was likely, had sent for the jurors to learn what progress had rt,o fo, defendant smiled and tears filled his eyes, and hurrying to the jury box. after Jus tioe Crane had discharged the jurors. he seized their hands and thanked them for their verdict.
 Rarely In any court of law has such a demonstration been witnessed as that which occurred this afternoon when the jury made known it's verdict, which came as a thunderbolt. The packed courtroom of spectators rose as one man and cheered and applauded with such mighty vigor that the gavel falls of Justice Crane on his desk could not be heard. Before pro- ceeding further Justice Crane ordered the trial chamber cleared, and the spectators put out into the street. After telephoning his mother and father, Thornton was es- corted to a local hotel, while a throng of townspeople gave him a continuous greeting en route Jurors stated that the first ballot stood eight to four for ac- quittal, and early this morning the ballot showed a gain of one for acquittal. Jurors Hecker, Johnson, Richmond and Boenig voted for conviction of murder. Juror Boenig held out until the final ballot was taken just after Justice Crane had sent for the jury, and then changed his vote to acquittal, making the jury unanimous. Officials of the district attorneys office in Queens county are quoted tonight as saying that the verdict In this case prob ably means that Captains Hains will never be brought to trial and that he will be surrendered into the care of his family or the federal government.
 Darrins Statement.
 Under this verdict it is perfectly safe for any person, who is ingenious enough to frame up a defense to go out and kill Private vengeance seems to have precedence over the peoples law" was the only remark made by MT. Darrin
 As Thornton Hains left the court he made the following statement:
 q am going back to the Long Island City jail to see Connie and tell him the glorious news I shall visit him now every day Tonight I am going to the Hotel Astor to be with my father and mother and tomorrow I plan to go to Washington to get my little daughter Molly and bring her back to our little home in Bayridge.'
 Thornton Hains was given demonstra- tion by the towns people of Flushing as he left the court room. Justice Crane had given orders to the police not to permit any demonstration on the street, but the throng almost swept the officers aside and succeeded in surrounding Hains, many pressing on him to shake hands. Hains spent few moments at the hotel, and then in company with his counsel he was whirled away in big motor car to the Long Island City Jail Foreman Hill said there were 15 ballots taken, the first being eight to for acquittal.
 General Hains Overjoyed.