The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-03-16
SLAYER OF FLOYD NOT GUILTY.
Jury Brings in Verdict of Acquittal
in Short While.


'Not guilty. spoken in distinct
tones by R. F. Covington, foreman OF
the jury, was the verdict rendered
this afternoon at $50 by the jury
which has for six days had in their
hands the fate of Mr.. and Mrs. n. NJ.
Hayes, charged with the murder OF
Robert NJ. Floyd, on the evening OF
February 4th, last.
Both of the defendants pale, but
showing little more concern than has
characterized their action throughout
the trial, stood up, held up their
right hand and received the verdict.
The announcement of the verdict
brought slight smile to the face of
Mrs. Hayes, while her husband show
ed no signs of the result having
dawned upon him.
The jury at once having been dis
missed the prisoners shook hands
heartily with the IL men who had
given them their freedom.
Some Demonstration.
There were shown demonstration
by the friends of the defendants upon
the announcement of the verdict, but
this was soon hushed in the express
sions of disappointment by the most
of the people in the court room and
belittled the open indignation as ex-
pressed by great number on the
streets Immediately after the crowd
reached the court house square.
While the defendants had number
of friends in Whiteville it was clear
ly evident that the verdict was a
disappointment to the court attend
ants
With the testimony all in, the gen.
eral impression was that a verdict OF
at least manslaughter would be rem
dered. Hearing the charge of Judge
Cook to the jury strengthened this
impression, hence the utter surprise
at the verdict rendered.
The defendants walked from the
court room and assembled with CO.
terie of their friends and relatives in
a nearby place of business. Mr.. and
Mrs. Hayes left tonight for their
home in Tabor, leaving Whiteville on
same train on which Floyd family
left. Their presence in depot occa-
stoned large and curious crowd,
who gazed upon the woman as she
laughed and talked with her friends.
The Floyd family returned to their
home on the night train. Only one
or two of the family of the slain were
in the court room when the verdict
was announced. Miss Reba Floyd, a
favorite sister of Robert Floyd, who
remained at nearby hotel, when told
of the verdict, weeping remarked:
~'Thank God, 1 didn't go to hear it,
Shed One Tear.
Mrs. Hayes, who since the night of
the killing has not shown the least
emotion, who during the week viewed
with Indifference the bullet-riddled
clothes of the man she killed and the
weapons with which she did it, show
ed her first sign of emotion late this
afternoon just at the close of the elo-
quent apeal of Solicitor Sinclair. 1t
was clearly not done for effect, she
having quietly, with dropped head,
drawn her handkerchief and dried
the first tear that has been publicly
shown by her since the evening when
she, with GOODNESS and precision, fired
nine bullets into the body of Robert
Floyd. Her composure was at once
resumed.
Judge Cook in charging the jury
stood erect from his bench, some
thing never seen in South Carolina,
and commented upon the North Caro-
linians as something seldom seen in
this State.
Another striking thing to a South
Carolinian was the standing of the
jury, and their concerted announce
ment of their verdict to the prisoners
who were also standing with their
right hands extended upwards.
''O'Riley is coming!'