The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-01-08
HICKS JURY SAYS
He IS NOT GUILTY
Trial of Man Accused of Afro.
cious Murder Most Sensa-
tional in Years

Winnipeg, Jan. 8.-After the most
sensational murder trial held In Win
nipeg during the last twenty years,
Thomas Henry Hicks was yesterday
afternoon, in the, assize court, found
not guilty of the murder Of Eccles
Lennox, who was killed in the G. p.
r. sleeping car Shuswap on the morn
ing of November 1S. For eight days
the prisoner has sat in the dock with
the mien of an innocent man, and the
verdict of the jury was received with
general approval by the large crowd
IN the court room. The applause was
deafening, and Mr.. Justice Richards
stated that, during his ten years on
the bench, he had not seen such dis
graceful behavior in a court room.
Only twenty-one minutes were occu-
pied by the jurors in reaching their
verdict.
The trial of Hicks was marked by
many incidents of sensational char
acter, and the circumstances of the
case were such at to make it remark
able In many ways. At the outset
the general opinion seemed to be that
the prisoner was guilty, largely be-
cause of the evidence given by Walter
Rogers, who claimed to have been an
eyewitness to the most brutal mur-
der of years. AS the trial progressed
opinion changed, and when the evil
dence was all in there were few who
looked upon Hicks as a murderer.
One Of the sensational features of the
trial was the testimony of John Kraf-
cenko, the cell mate of Hicks in the
jail, whose story of giving the fatal re-
volver to Walter Rogers was one of
the strongest points in the defense of
the prisoner. For eight days witness
after witness, to the number of more
than forty, have told their stories on
the witness stand. 1t has been a.
great strain upon the judge and jury,
as we'll as counsel and court officials.
What may be the aftermath of the
trial Is doubtful. The verdict of the
jury has discredited the statements of
Walter Rogers, but no statement has
been given out by crown officials as
to any action being taken against
other persons en- charge of murder
1t is understood that the crown will
be given a statement by Hicks as to
his movements on the night OF the
murder, but whether this will impli-
cate any person definitely cennot he
ascertainel.
/, MIR. Justice richards dhaltged
strongly in favor of the prisoner,
pointing out the very doubtful evil
dence given by number of the chief
witnesse. He went over the story of
Rogers and warned the jury to be
very careful about accepting such
statesments from such man. and
hanging man upon the evidence of
one person unless it should be the
most reliable. So many of the state
ments of the witnesses seemed i'll
credible that his lordship cast much
doubt upon their veracity.
1t was 4:40 when the members of
the jury intimated that they were
ready with their verdict. and messen-
gers were at once sent to summon
Judge Richards and the officials of the
court. When all were seated the jury
filed in slowly, many of them with
smile on their faces. When they had
answered to their names the regis
trar rose.
Gentlemen of the jury have you
agreed upon your verdict. If SO, who
shall speak for you?" J. C. Jickling
rose from his chair
what say you. guilty or not
guilty?"
Not guilty."