Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-21
MEN ARE PROMPTLY BA|LEO OUT
Bond Fixed at $25, oo0-Furnished
Many Times oAr-verdict Came
As Surprise to Defendants Friends.
Defense Moves to Set Verdict Aside.
Argument Later.
nv Associated TreSS.)


Guilty OF murder in III" second de-
yree-punishmenl twenty years i'm
Recommendations was the unexpected
verdict rendered by the jury against
Col Duncan B. Cooper and Robin J.
Cooper. when court opened today.
The jury yesterday acquitted John
Sharp. indicted with the Coopers for
the Staying Of former United Statc"s
Senator +. W. Carmack.
Events moved swiftly from the mo
ment the verdict was rendered today.
Immediately the defense moved to 50.
it aside. because of the verdict of dis
agreement of Yesterday. and asked the
court 10 declare it mistrial.
Judge Hart said he would listen to
arguments on this motion later prob
ably next week.
Convicted Men 5aiIed.
He then fixed the defendants bonds
at $3.50 each.
Although Judge Hart fixed the bond
at $4,000 there was a rush to sign
it on the part of wealthy citizens OF
Nashville which fairly swamped the
clerk of the criminal court In vain
he protested over and over again
that more than enough sureties had
signed. but the invariablesanswer was
we want to put our names Oh that
bond, too
I. seemed as Though every friend Of
the Coopers considered it encumbent
upon him to sign the bond.
No Room for Signatures.
When there was no more room for
names at the foot of the document.
the new bondsmen endorsed it across
the face until it was difficult to de-
cipher the signatures.
When filed the l'ond tota!ed nearly
a million and a half.
The Coopers returned to the Jail
this afternoon late and removed their
personal effects.
For the present Colonel Cooper will
make his home with Mrs. Burch. and
RCb:n will return TO his old quarters
with his uncle. Judge B. c. Bradford.
Tonight the father and son retired
to the home Of Judge J. c. Bradford
and discussed the next move in the
case.
6:g Crowd On Hand.
Var!OIs and insistent rumOrs that
til" jrrv had ?Srped were responsible
for a crowded cout room this morning.
and for tn" presence of attorneys on
both sides long before the usual hour
for converting
As soon as Judge Hart entered court
an after he removed his coat he or
dered tho defendants ard the jury
brought into court
II understand they have agreed"
he remarked to the press table" and
am sending TO see"
In moment. al 9:22I to ne exact.
III" twelve men entered The room and
took III" same seats they have occu-
pied for nearly nine weeks.
verdict Of Jury.
Have You agreed upon a. verdict.
gentlemen" said Judge Hari.
We have" replied Foreman Z. VI
Burke.
'Advanc" Mr. Foreman. and read
I'll" verdict
We. tn" jury. fnd tn" defendants.
Duncan y. Cooper and Robin J.
Cooper. cuiHy of murder in tn" second
degree. and assess their punishment
q, confinement in the STATE pCni'cn
t:arv for period of twenty years"
So say You all. Scntlcmen?"
So say We all in chorus
II thank you. gentlemen. said 'n"
court for your patience and devotion
10 the state and dismiss YOU 10 Your
homes and 10 yo"r personal vOca-
tons
Jurors Gain New lfc.
Tho jurors were tired looking and
dishcvclcd hut with tho conclusion
of this rem: rk tho entire Twelve men
svrauS froni their seats as ono man
and hurriedIy left the court room.
The verdict. coming as u did. upon
ID" heels Of Foreman Burkcs dcrlars-
ton yesterday that VIC arc hopclcssly
tied I'D as To the Coopcrs." was a de-
cidcd surprise.
The defendants look 1; cooily-al
most wifhou: emotion
In a second after Judge Hart ccasrd
Diminishing tho jurors. Judcc Anderson.
oG The defense. vas on his feet ~
claiming Your honor. 10 move that
The case bc declared mistria1 be-
carsc u the verdict yesterday: We
contend hat yesterdays verdict was
tho ouIy one and that y acquitted