The San Francisco call., 1909-09-21
Verdict of Acquittal for Mrs Laura Macdonald
Accused of Killing Her Babe
By MARY ASHE MILLER !

Laura Macdonald is free woman.
The jury decided before leaving the
box yesterday morning that she was
not guilty of the charge of numbering
her little son, and only the stern ad-
monftion of Judge Cabaniss prevented
an outburst of delight in the court
room
From the first it seemed a foregone
conclusion that the little waitress
would be acquitted on the ground of
temporary insanity.
There is no occasion for maudlin
sentiment in the case of Laura Mac
Donald, but the misery of her life has
been so great that it has touched the
hearts of all who have come in con-
tact with her. The conduct of her trial
was unique in the softening of the
harsher details of the processes of the
law.
NOT CROSS EXAMINED
The assistant district attorney re-
fused to cross examine her when she
herself took the stand. Her own at
torney, w. S. Barnes. had announced
before he called her to testify that he
intended to make her tell the history
of her life in all its sordid, narrowing
ugliness; all the truth as to the cruelty
and injustice she has undergone from
the men from whom she should have
received the greatest kindness and
tenderness; the circumstances of shoot
ing her child and of her own attempt
at suicide. But when she walked to the
stand, supported by Mrs. Herman, the
matron of the Jail, and sank into the
chair pallid, almost fainting. yet plain
ly nerving herself for the ordeal with
wonderful strength, he asked a bare
dozen of questions, and those in some
what halting fashion. He began with
queries as to her earlier life, which she
answered in hardly audible tones, and
then the prosecuting attorney inter-
posed, and after conference it was
agreed that her examination should be
as perfunctory as possible.
ARGUMENT is WAIVED
When Attorney Barnes announced a
few minutes later that his case was
closed the assistant district attorney
said that he would not argue the case.
The defendants counsel said that it had
been his intention to argue the case
very fully, but in the circumstances he
felt ii was hardly necessary. and Judge
Cabaniss agreed, saying that in con-
sideration of the attitude of the dis
trict attorney it was entirely appro-
pirate to dispense with argument
Judge Cabaniss then delivered his
charge 10 the jury, dwelling particu-
larly on the strength of maternal affec-
ton and the token of unsoundness of
mind that any deviation therefrom
might be considered, but when it came
to the formal classification of murder
he paused, and glancing at the shrink
ing girl said: Il dislike going into the
details of the case. 1t seems to me a
work of supererogation, and with the
permission of both attorneys / will
omit it" And both agreed.
When the jury was ordered out a
few minutes before noon glances were
exchanged among them Then one
wrinkled old juror said, eI think, Judge.
1T is hardly worth while for us TO go
out" and there were smiling mods on
all sides which told only too plainly
that the verdict was one to make glad
the friends and sympathizers of the
slender black gowned girl.
VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL
1t was decided that the Jury go out
and affix their signatures to the YER
dict and then Judge Cabaniss said with
a fierce frown, There must be no DEM
onstration in this courtroom-no show
of feeling either one way or the other.v
But when the jurors came in and the
formal announcement was made of the
verdict of acquittal there was a buzz
and murmur of delight that no one
might entirely curb. Only to Laura
Macdonald herself did the decision seem
to bring little JOY.
So fearful had her friends been of
the consequences, should she hear the
arguments, that before their omission
had been decided upon her ears had
been filled with tiny wads OF cotton,