The Washington times., 1909-05-08
Verdict Reached Without
Debate or Difference
of Opinion.
BROTHER IN COURT
AS TRIAL CLOSES
Celebrated Whitla kidnapping Case
Results in Second
Conviction.

MERCER, Pa, May S.-Mrs.
James Boyle is guilty of aiding and
abetting in the KIDNAPPING of Willie
Whitla, of Sharon.
The case was given TO the jury
a few moments before noon. Only
one vote was necessary to reach
verdict, and then, after sealing their
decision, the jurors went to lunch
con.
Upon the return of the jury at 1
o'clock. court was resumed and the
verdict was read
A large crowd gathered in the court
room, and as the jury fled into the box
there was a deathlike silence through
out the room. Mrs. Boyle sat at her
counsers table beside her brother. The
two were extremely nervous. and when
the foreman of the grand jury in re-
sponse to the question of the court, an
nounced that they had found the de-
endant guilty of abetting and aiding
kidnapping OF Willie Whitla. the con-
fendant guilty Of abetting aud aiding
until the blood started. She az once
gathered herself together and turned
and gave her brother an appealing
glance and he endeavored to comfort
her.
Her counsel have announced that
they will appeal to the superior court
on a question OF Jurisdiction Judge
Williams has not set any time for SEN
fencing. but IT will probably take place
at the close OF the present term of
court, which will be in about a week.
william +. McDermott, the Chicago
brokers clerk, said to be the brother OF
Mrs. James Boyle. today made an ap-
parent acknowledgement Of the re
lationship. He appeared for the first
time in court. and took seat beside her.
McDermott Is quoted as saying he will
spend ell his small savings 10 keep his
sister from the penitentiary. To his in
huence Is attributed the woman's de-
cision to keep of the stand and deny the
prosecution chance 10 probe her past
life.
Boyle was in a very ugly mood this
morning and declared he had been given
the worst Of 1t all through. while his
fair companion had been my lady
ever since thesr arrest in Cleveland.
Every consideration has been and is
being shown her by the authorities.
Mrs. Boyle CHEEKY.
Court reconvened this morning at
BIS. Mrs. Boyle came into the court
a few minutes before, accompanied by
Sheriff Chess and hih deputies. She
was gowned in a black princess dress
and directoire coat OF a light texture,
and was wreathed In smiles, having
CHEEKY good morning for every one
until her eyes rested on McDermott,
believed 70 be her brother, when her
head dropped and her face Redeemed as
81 with shame and confusion She then
greeted him warmly and ne was cordial
in his response. McDermott is a clean
cut, manly appearing young fellow and
seems abashed at being brought to such
his supposed sister every consideration,
and is constantly at her side.
When Court Crier Bell called to or
der he overstepped the time-honored
form and concluded with. "and the
ladies will please remove their hats"
which they did
When Judge Miller took up the ques-
tion OF jurisdiction he claimed that un-
der the natural and divine law every
person Is innocent until proven guilty,
and that the burden OF proof rests with
the Commonwealth. He said there is
not a link Of evidence to connect the
abetting IN the abduction OF Billy
Whitla, the prosecution admitting that
Continued on Second PaKe)