The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-21
COOPERS CONVICTED, 7 BUT LEAVE THE JAIL
 UNDER HEAVY BONDS

be declared a mistrial because of the verdict yesterday: we contend that yes- terday's verdict was the only one and that 1t acquitted John Sharp but de- clared disagreement on the other de, fendants. We also ask that the de- fendant be admitted to bond at once.'
 '"rhe verdictsef the Jury makes 1t a bailable case" was the courts retort Hence I will fix the bond Of each de- fendant at $25, 900 unless there be some objection. In that event I will hear ar. guments"
 "It is satisfactory to us," said Attor- ney General McCarn.
 And to Ius," tetorted Judge Ander- son. N
 .erhere seems to be nothing left but for the court to pass sentence" added Judge Hart.
 "I do not think that necessary" said Judge Anderson. We move that judg- ment be suspended and that we be giv- en . new trial. We will be prepared to argue the motion later--probably next week."
 ,"All right, Judge" remarked the court. T know you will not delay un- necessarily and I will take 1t up at ypur own convenience"
 "Bring in the bond book, '~said Judge Anderson. It was done and the de- tendants signed the bond and returned with their relatives and friends to the building.
 Mrs. Burch CoIIapses.
 Mrs. Burch. who stood bravely and even smiled in, the court room, col iapsed as she reached the narrow cor ridor leading to the jail and had to be supported by her husband.
 Mrs. Wilson's eyes were streaming with tears. Both young women have counted confidently on an acquittal. against building too many hopes on the result.
 The jurors were not inclined to talk, but one of them said:
 "On the first ballot we acquitted John Sharp and disregarded the-con- spiracy theory. On this same ballot we stood six for guilty of murder In the first degree with mitigating cir cumstances, i've for murder in the sec ond degree with twenty years. the maximum penalty and one for acquit-
 "The ballots all day Wednesday and Thursday showed the same result. Yes terday the man who voted for acquittal came over to murder in the second de- gree but demanded that only ten years be assessed. The rest of us did not deem ten years as anything like ade- Quate so we disagreed again. Of course. all this refers to the Coopers. not Sharp. whom we had acquitted. Early this morning the man who was holding out for ten years agreed to twenty years and the six who were voting for a first degree verdict agreed to this verdict"
 While the jurors would not say who o the man was who held out for acquit- tai, 1t IS known from remarks over heard by the deputies that he was S. J. Hyde.
 Bonds Are Signed. John Sharp hurried to the court house when he heard of the verdict and was soon closeted with the defend- ants and their counsel. @
 Mrs. Sharp was in court when the court reported and comforted the two daughters of Colonel Cooper with her presence and sympathy. Several other faithful girl friends were with them during the ordeal and accompanied them to the room of the defendants. where they awaited the arrival of bondsmen.(
 The first to arrive was John c. Greener, who signed for $10,000 OH each bond. Several others had been sent for and telephoned that they would come as quickly as automobiles would bring them. In a few moments Walter O. Farmer arrived and signed for the balance.
 'T will sign for a million for these men," he remarked.
 James E. Caldwell later signed for $25,O on each bond and H. B. Chad burn and c. W: Anderson for $2,500 on each bond. This makes the total bonds in both cases s110.000 although only s50,00O was asked.
 The Burch automobile came up a lit- tie later and the party was whirled away to the Bradford home.
 There win be no further proceedings in the case for about week.