The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-01-19
THORNTON JENKINS HAMS
ACQUITTED BY JURY
Accused Of Completely in Killing
of William {. Annis.
DRAMATIC ENDING or TRIAL
II Simply Protected Peter" Said the
Defendant - II Am GuiItless-
Peter Was Insane Then and is
Insane Now

Flushing, N. Y - Thornton Jen-
lsins Hams for the second time in his
life was pronounced guiltless of muir
der. The jury in the Supreme Court
in Flushing, which deliberated for
twenty two hours over the charge
that he aided his brother in killing
william Il. Annis at the Bayside
Yacht Club exactly five months be-
fore, acquitted him.
The words Not guilty" uttered by
William J Hill, the foreman, were re-
ceived with a terrific outburst of
cheering that could be heard for
blocks and caused Justice Crane to
order the courtroom cleared of spec
.tatorS at once. The wan face of
Thornton lighted up with smile and
he stepped forward as if to grasp the
hand of Hill, who stood with tears
streaming down his face. Then the
acquitted man controlled himself and
waited for a more opportune time to
show his appreciation to the jurors
AS the cheer echoed through Main
street in Flushing, Major John P.
Hams, a brother, who had waited
throughout the previous night near
the courtroom for the verdict, rushed
to the Town Hall, where the court
held it's sittings. "Acquittal, rang
to his ears from the throat of mes
senger boy who ran down the steps,
waving a telegram. Like bull the
Major plunged his way to the en-
trance to the courtroom. He found
the door barred He pounded at It
and, tearing it open, met the crowd
that was being driven from the room
oy attendants
Thornton praised Justice Crane.
He did not speak pleasantly OF OAR
rim, the former District Attorney.
Clearly, if | am guiltless my
brother is guiltless. Should he now
oe tried there is no doubt he will be
acquitted. He is now insane, and
was insane in the hour of the trag-
sdy."
II am the happiest of men" he
said, with glowing eyes. Il intend
to devote my time to my brother
in the Long Island City jail. He
needs me, and / shall stay there the
greater part of my time, keeping him
company and writing. / expected to
De acquitted. have not been able to
understand from the first why /
should have been held for my life
because my brother, who was in my
charge, killed Annis. ! simply pro-
tected Peter"
The case of Captain Hams, who
shot Annis to death, will be in tho
hands of the new District Attorney,
Mr.. De Witt. Mr.. De Witt may move
at any time to set date 1t is gem
orally believed that Peter Hams case
will be tried with more expedition.
1t has been thrashed out already and
the plead will be impulsiye insanity,
BASED on manic Oppressive insanity.
Mr.. Mcintyre, attorney for the de-
tense, said that he believed Captain
Hains would be acquitted and that
he had won both cases by the verdict.
Back in 1891 at Hampton, Va,
Thornton Hams had his first trial for
murder. In June of that year he
shot and killed his friend, Edward
flanagan, grandson of Colonel Thos.
Nelson, of Indiana, while the two
were alone together in small boat
In Hampton Roads. The shooting
took place off the home of Robley ID.
Evans, then a. Commander of the
lavy. Evans was one of the strongest
witnesses against Hams in the trial
that followed.