The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-16

New York, Jan. 5.-Thornton jenkins
Hains was found not guilty Of the charge
Of completely in the murder Of William
Z Annis to-day in the Flushing Supreme
Court By the jury that heard his trial
The jury returned its verdict q few
minutes before o'clock this afternoon
after having been in deHberation sines 5
O'Clock yesterday. The verdict OF ac-
quittal was reached on the fifteenth
ballot
The announcement OF the verdict was
followed by a Wild scene in the court
room. Judge Crane banged MS gaveI in
an effort 10 qUen the commouon, and
deputy sherifs vent through the room
trying to stop the din
John F. Mcintyre. chief counsel for
Hairs. heard TIE verdict and. collapsed in
his chair. He had been standing ID 10
hear what the foreman OF the jury would
say Apparently the strain had been too
much FOR him. for he fell into his chair.
his face an ashen hue and his body quiv-
ering like a leaf
Thanks Members of Jury.
Hams couldn't speak for a time after
he heard the words 50 pleasing 10 him.
When he recovered his composure Hans
rushed 20 the jury box and. extending
his hands. thanked all the members Of
the body. He intercepted Judge Crane
n doing this. the judge being in the mid
die OF 4 complimentary speech 10 tha
Jurors
To add TO the excitement Maj John
Hains. who had been down stairs and
didn't learn or the jury coming in boItad
through the door. although it was held
by Two court officers. They proved TO
match for MAJ Hams. however. for he
bOwled them over as II they were straw.
Rushing up the aisle Mai Hains
shrieked repeatedly. ''Thoney: Thoney.
This is q family Pet name for Thornton
Hams.
4 force comprising about all the police
and court attendants in the room set
upon Mai Haius. but ne shook them
OF. gained his brothers side. and the
two net n a strong embrace.
Maj Hams had arranged for 6 teIa-
phone wire 10 be kept open during the
day connecting with the apartments Of
his mother and father az the Hotel Astor.
The news was quickly flashed to the aged
parents OF Thornton Hams.
Dsrrin Disappointed.
District Attorney Ira G. Darrin showed
plainly his disappointment over the ac-
quittal OF Hams When asked his opia-
ion Of the verdict. he said:
Under this verdict IT Is perfectly safe
for any person who is ingenious enough
TO frame up a defense 70 go out and Kill.
Private vengeance seems 70 have taken
precedence over the peoples law.
Further than 10 add that I did my
duty as I saw il. have nothing more 10
say"
Airs. William Z. Anuls. widow OF ths
man for whose murder Hsfns vas ae-
quilted. was overcome by the result OF
the trial She awaited the verdict IN the
Fountain House, about two blocks ron
the courthouse When she received the
news that the brother OF her husbands
slayer had been acquitted she almost col
lapsed. She was taken into a private
room by Mrs. Harvey Rockwell. wife cf
one Of the Bayside Yacht Club members.
When asked if she would talk about the
verdict. she said:
There is nothing that I can say nox
In fact, 1 don't know anything that 7 can
say. I believe. though, that In a day or
so VIII have & statement TO make"
Verdict a Surprise.
The verdict came somewhat in the rs
ture OF a surprise. About twenty minutes
10 , O'Clock word vas sent to Judge
Crane that the jury wanted further IN
structions- The judge went 10 the bench
ard sent for the defendant. and also for
his counsel. The prosecutions attorneys
were also summoned II looked Ike more
delay. Hams came into TIE court room
snuffing. and looked much dOwncast Ia
was very pale. and It seemed
that his nerve was breaking. His counsel
also appeared III at ease
Il was Just a few minutes before 3
O'Clock when the jury filed into the box.
Gentlemen, said Judge Crane. '-you
have asked me for further instructions
and more tire. had hoped that you had
reached a verdict
We nave" shouted Mr. Hi. the fore
man. as he leaped 10 his feet with the
joyous air of boy
This caused a great cOmmOtiOn In the
court room. bat the judge soon stopped
II. All eyes were on the jury and the
clerk was instructed 10 interrOgate them
as 10 their verdict
Gentlemen Of the jury" dTawIed the
clerk, what have you TO say; is this de-
fendant guilty or not guiltyT
we find him not guilty" answered
Mr.. HFI. and the hGbDub broke loose n
all its fury.
For time It was thought that MT.
Mcintyre had been stricken with heart
Confined on PAGE 3. CoInu,n