Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-07
Jury Fails 10 Convict The
Unity blacksmith
For The Murder Of Mrs. Har-
riet Thomas Al Belfast. u
Discharged Anil Cheers. Bennett
Goes Back 10 County Jail.

Belfast, Me, May 6-(SpeciaD. The
jury after being out hours and %
minutes brought in q. verdict of not
guilty against Ira S. Grady. the Unity
blacksmith, who has been on trial for
the past five Gays in the Waldo county
supreme court, charged with the muir
der on Feb. Il last at Belfast of Mrs.
Harriet French Thomas. The case
went to the jury a few minutes before
F. NJ. and that body. after being out
about two hours, came in for instruc-
lions and had portion of Grady's tes
timOny read.
Grady was discharged Immediately
after the foreman announced the YER
dict and left the court room amid APP
plause and cheers. Sidney Bennett
who was indicted by the Waldo grand
jury along with Grady for the murder
Of Mrs. Thomas, WAS placed under $500
bonds at the close of the trial. He was
unable to furnish bonds in that sum
and was remanded to Jail.
The Bennett trial is not likely to
take place this term, as Justice Pea
Tuesday and he would be obliged to
come back and hold an adjourned ses-
SIGN of the Belfast term in order to
try him. 1t was stated here tonight
that there was some doubt if the case
against Bennett was ever tried and
that County Attorney BuzZell might
ask that it be mol pressed.
Assistant Attorney General Charles
p. Barnes of Norway in his opening
for the State spoke of how the State
was injured by the absence of County
Attorney Buzzelk who was called away
during the trial on account of the
serious illness of his father, and that
he was again called to Monroe last
night on account of his fathers death.
He asked the jury to consider the tes-
timOny Of both Bennett and Grady
upon the witness stand, and that Ben
nett showed no animosity. while
Grady, in his opinion did He talked
at some length on the scientific points
of the case, with reference to blood
found on knife. and the testimony of
the expert, DR.. Whittier and ended by
saying that the State wanted the
truth. and only the truth, and was
defence, if he is innocent.
Justice Peabody's charge to the jury
opened at 11.20, and he said in opening
that the case had been presented on
both sides with ability and vitality, and
that the attorneys had presented to the
jury the analysis of the evidence, and
had outlined the principles of law
which refer to the case.
He declared that the jury in this
case was selected from among the cit
liens of this county for good character,
integrity and understanding. He asked
the jury to note the intelligence of the
witness. and the apparent accuracy of
his memory and said that the State
had assisted Grady to obtain counsel
and summoned witnesses in his behalf,
and given him the benefit of a jury
trial, and that he had the privilege Of
being considered innocent until his
guilt was established beyond reason
able doubt. Justice Peabody then ex-
planned to the jury the difference be-
tween murder and manslaughter. and
the respective sentences which might
be given.
Grady paid the closest attention to
his every word. The case went to the
jury at 1880 P. NJ. Grady APP
peared calm, as he had from the
first. and his manner was not that of
q criminal