The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-10

Union, Feb. 6.-"Guilty of murder.
with a. recommendation to mercy"
was the verdict in the case of the
State VS.. w. T. Jones, rendered here
at three minutes after o'clock this
AFTERNOON, the jury having deliberat-
ed since S.45 last night, in all eight
cen hours and eighteen minutes.
The law has answered affirmatively
the question propounded last July,
did w. T. Jones force his wife, Ma
rian Jones, to take strychnine?" Thus
has ended one Of the most interesting
Criminal cases ever heard in this
State, and by far the most remarka-
bic in the history of this county. To
some the verdict was great surprise,
the jury's lengthy deliberation giving
promise, and to some hope, Of a mis-
trial. However, reliable information
is to the effect that the jury hesitated
between an extreme verdict and
the one rendered, there being for
some time nine members in favor of
inficting the death penalty.
At 1877 this morning Judge Mem
minger ordered the jury brought be-
fore him, and asked whether the diff
Guilty in reachting a verdict was based.
on the facts In the case or the law as
expounded from the Bench. The
foreman replied that the disagree
ment was on the facts, whereupon the
Court proceeded to further charge
and enlighten the JURY. The element
of suicide having been injected
through argument of counsel for the
defence, the Court explained the law
In reference to suicide, saying that a
person who aided, assisted or in any
manner caused another to commit
suicide by providing the means for
the contamination Of such unlawful
act. was guilty Of murder under the
laws Of this State.
The Court also fully explained the
law of circumstantial evidence and
impressed upon the jury the great i'm
portance OF reaching an agreement
and not leaving this duty to IL other
citizens, who would sooner or later
have to decide the matter. Reference
was also made to the great expense
attached to this trial. and which
must be borne by the county, al
though the jury was cautioned not to
allow this to influence them.
At 1910 p" m. the jury again re-
tired, and remained out until 8
O'Clock, having announced a short
while before that a verdict had been
agreed upon. The jury was polled
and as the clerk of Court prepared to
read the verdict death-like stiffness
characterized the assemblage. which
crowded the Court room AS the
fateful words were uttered the pris-
oner perceptibly paled, all eyes being
fixed upon him. For a few moments
he stared vacantly into space, SEEM
Ing unable to comprehend the fate
that awaited him. Then, in a whis-
per. he spoke to one of his counsel,
Mr.. James Munroe, who sat beside
him, perhaps to inquire the signifi-
canoe of what he had just heard.
The most dramatic moment of the
entire trial was when the clerk read
the first word Of the verdict: Guilty"
then hesitated, for the one word
would have inflicted upon the convict
ed man the extreme penalty. When
the rest Of the verdict had been read
there was evident in the countenances
Of the defendant and his counsel ex-
pressions Of a certain degree Of relief,
although the jury's finding was a dis
tinct disappointment to them.
The Judge thanked the jury for
their patience and forbearance dur
ing the trial, which lasted more than
three days, and discharged them.
The jury showed signs Of great ia
tigue. While they were made as
comfortable as possible during the
time they were kept together and
perhaps suffered comparatively little
discomfort, physically, still the men
tai strain caused by realization Of
their grave responsibility was evil
dent
1T is not known upon what fea-
lures Of the testimony the jury based
it's verdict
Two hours after the verdict was
rendered, the Court being occupied in
the meantime with hearing motions
of appeals i'm several minor cases. w.
u. Jones was nlaced In the nriSnno s