Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-01-16
JURY FINDS THORNTON
J. HAMS NOT GUILTY
Spectators Packing Court Room
Cheer and App|and Verdict
With Mighty Vigor.
CAPTAIN HAMS MAY NOT Be TRIED
Former Defendant, With Smiles and
Terrified Eyes. Thanks Jurors
hastens to Brother, Then to Father
and Mother With Glad News-Hcw
jury Stood.
Obs Associated Press.)

Il Sf1i-\tf. y JHi 49, .h''''
reviewing the cvid"nc" Tor - hours
and taking l. ballots h"tor" all were
agreed. the july in III" trial o. lnoEh-
ton Jenkins Hams this afternoon
found the prisoner no: gully as a
principal with his BOTHER CaptaiH
Peer G. Hains. Jr. IN IA" killing Il
William f. AHNls
For Ne second time in his III"
Thornton Hams has been tcnn! not
guilt, of the charge OF maj 'er. az
ne was acquitted OF murder in shoot
ing 4 companion named Edward A.
Hannigan in an open boat in Haml-
ton X ads l. years ago.
Thornton Hams had an affecting
greeting with Captain Hams In me
Long Island Jail WHITTIER he hurried
in motor car after the verdict, I"
take his brother the news.
Parents Awaited Verdict.
Old General Hams ana his wife.
who had BEEN anXiously waiting 10
learn the verdict In the Hotel Aston
in Manhattan since the jury went out
at 5 O'Clock last night. heard the
news from their son thornton. who
telephoned his parents as soon as he
left the court room. Mrs. Hahn,
nearly tainted rom JOY.
After spe ending nearly an hour with
Captain Hams. in the Jail Thornton
Hams went 10 the Ho;el AsiOr. wh"r"
he remained through the evening ana
night with his father and moter
The verdict came unexpectedly.
and at time when Justice Crane.
believing lha, a disagreement was
likely. had sent for the jurors TO
learn wha, progress had been made
toward a finding.
Defendant Thanks Jurors.
The former defendant smiled and
tears filled his eyes. and hurrying TO
the jury box after Justice 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 witn' ssrd
az that which occurred when the jug
made known its verdict.
Spectators Cheer Verdict.
The packed court rom of spccta-
tors rose as on" man and cheerci
and appIauded with such mighty vi
gor that the gavel falls of justice
Crane on his desk could not be- heard
Before proceeding further. Justice
Crane ordered tn" trial chamber
cleared and the spectators pu; Ou'
in the street.
After telephoning his mother and
father. Tn rnton Hams was escor'e |
to a local hotel. while a ihoonE o.
town people gave him an enthusias
tic greeting enrOut".
The first ballot stood 10 I for &C
qui,ta, AID early this morning tn"
ballor showed gain Ct on" Tor &C
qri'tal
How Jury Stood.
Jurors Heckcr. JOHNSON. Richmond
and Booming voted for conviction OF
murder. Juror u cninS held out un-
ri N" las ballot was taken just after
Justice Crane had sent for The jurors.
and hen changed his vote 10 ac-
quiltai making the jury unanimous.
Oficisls of tho district attorney s
Office in Queens county are auoic'!
roaight as saving that h" verdict In
this case probably means that Cap
tain Hams will never bc brC GShI to
trial. and hat h" will h" surrcEd"rc'i
into he care Of his family or the
Federal S1y"rnment
Under this ,crdicr it IL SAT" for
, a prison sho is ingenious enough ~
frame a defense to so out and Kill.
Private ycng' nee seems 20 have taken
prcccd"ncc ever IN" peoples lav.
was the Oriy common; Prosecute!
| Darrin had 10 make on the jury's ~
turn.