Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-01-08
FLORENCE ERb
AND SISTER
GU|LTLESS
JURY ACQUITS WOMEN
ACCUSED OF MURDER
Dramatic Scene in PennsyIva-
MIA Court Room When Verdict
Is Announced in Sensational
Trial at Media,

my Morning journal Special Leased wirel
Erb. wife OF Captain j. Clayton Erb.
who was wen known In political cir
clcs all over Pennsylvania and her sis
ter. Mrs. Catherine Beisel. who were
charged with the sensational murder
of Captain Erb on the night OF October
g. 1908. today walked from the Della
ware county court house free women.
After the Jury had been out nearly
eighteen hours It brought In verdict
of not guilty In the case of each wom-
an. both of whom had been charged
separately and Jointly with shooting
the captain.
Almost up to the moment when the
the prospects for an unanimous de-
cision OF the twelve men was not
bright During the morning the jury
filed into court and asked for further
instructions on the question OF self de-
Tense and while the spectators were
still standing in the court room dis
cussing the instructions given the jury.
word came from the Jury room that
the men had agreed
The defendants were sent for at
once but there was a minute before
they arrived. During this heart
breaking interval the defendants at
torneys were so nervous they could
not remain still. Jumping from their
seats, strlding up and down. sitting
down again hands In pockets hands
clasped behind their backs they we're
more restless than any jungle animal
In the cage OF city zoo
j. Rhorman Robinson. tho assistant
district attorney, was also very III at
case
Judge Johnson took his seat just as
the jury was escorted into the room.
There was absolute silence Then the
clerk went through the usual proceed
Ing Of asking whether the jury had
agreed and the foreman announced the
verdict of not guilty In each case.
With a half scream tho sisters fell
IN each others arms and women wept
az they looked at the pathetic scene.
In an instant the women were SUR
rounded by friends aud their relatives
md overwhelmed with congratula-
ions
Harry Beisel threw his arms around
lis wife and his sister-in- law, Mrs.
crb. and tears Dame to their eyes.
This scene lasted several minutes. The
ury was not polled and after Judge
Johnson had thanked them, Mrs. Erb
hurried from her seat to Juror Dick
Ii
land. Mrs. Beisel did likewise and
hey went down the line OF the twelve
men. Tears stood in the eyes of most
Il them and the thanks OF the women
we're sobbed out In broken syllabies.
~ was innocent and knew | would
'e acquitted" said Mrs. Erb after the
ury had gone II was only fearful
or my sister. | did not know what
hoy might do 10 her for doing what
hc did To save my life"
Mrs Bcisel said;
81 thank God IL Is all over. No:
have not been confident OF acquittal
Or YOU never know what twelve men
Ill do, was sure OF my sisters free
ON but not Of my own though | knew
was innocent of any crime"
The case was given to the jury at
$50 yesterday afternoon
The jurors this morning looked as
rough they had been up most of the
light. When they came In and asked
" further Instructions on the ques-
on OF self defense one of them ask
what Mrs. Belsel was justified in
ping when Captain Isrb came at her.
ldge johnson said.
1T Is for the jury to say what was
,e condition of her mind. IL II was
ecessary for her TO shoot to save her
ster or herself from great bodily
arm. or If she thought So she had
right to shoot The law is that
srson must escape If ne can before
footing Therefore II Is for you to
eide whether Mrs. Beiscl had that
'portunity"
&