The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-03-15


Whiteville. y. c., March 11.-"Not
guilty" so said the jury this after
noon at $3.50. in the case wherein Mrs.
Rosa ID. Hayes was charged with the
murder of Robert NJ. Floyd, young
medical student Of Charleston, at
her home in Tabor, y. c., on the
evening of February A. and Neal
Hayes. her husband, as accessory be-
fore the fact. While there was
slight demonstration by the friends of
the defendant when the verdict was
returned. which quickly quelled
great indignation was expressed by
numerous people when the news
spread on the streets that Hayes and
his wife would go free. 1t was not
believed that a verdict for a higher
offence than manslaghter would be
returned, and after hearing the
charge of Judge Cooke this opinion
became much stronger. That the
verdict caused surprise is expressing
IL mildly. Shortly after the jurors
left the court room several Of them
were met by a young lady who did
not hesitate to express her opinion
of them.
Solicitor Sinclear wes the only at
torney to speak when court convened
this afternoon. He made a splendid
speech and then Judge Cooke charg-
ed the jury as TO the law. He did not
read the evidence. this being waived.
The charge 10 the jury was given liz
very impressive manner His Hon.
or standing. which is something not
often done. 1t was 4:1O when the
jury was given the case.
For the first time this afternoon did
Mrs. Hayes show weakness, but 1t
was only for few minutes and she
regained the composure that has
characterized her during the entire
trial and has been one of the fea-
lures OF the case. Just as the So
licitor concluded his speech she was
seen to covertly wipe her eyes with
her handkerchief and upon viewing
her closely IL was noticed that she was
crying. but endeavoring to suppress
her emotion. A solemn stiffness pre-
vaded the court room after the jury
retired and every noise, no matter
how slight caused the defendants and
the few remaining there to eagerly
look In the direction of the jury
room. Pale, but perfectly calm, Mrs.
Hayes looked vacantly in front OF her,
and those who viewed her could but
think that at least the little woman,
who had fired nine bullets into the
body OF Robert Floyd on that win
ter's eve. had awakened TO the realiz-
alton OF the crime with which she
was charged.
For one hour and fifteen minutes
had the jury been out when a knock
was heard on the door. Quickly
learning that a verdict had been
reached the officer rang the court
house bell and the crowds hurriedly
assembled. Neal Hayes was far more
agitated than his wife. If it was ex-
pected that Mrs. Hayes would show
weakness i'm this terrible ordeal those
who believed it were disappointed.
II. +. Covington. Of Evergreen, was
foreman OF the jury. and announced
the verdict. AS the words were
spoken there was a slight demonstra-
tion, but the sheriff raped for order
and the cheering quickly ceased.
Hayes seemed to scarcely realize that
he was free man, but a smile crept
over the face OF Mrs. Hayes. The
members OF the jury quickly walked
to the edge OF the bar and shook
hands with the defendants. A few
minutes later Hayes and his wife
walked from the court room and into
the evening sunlight once more free.
Thus ended the closing chapter in
one OF the most sensational murder
trials ever heard in this county sd
IN some respects one Of the most
unusual ever heard in the State.
The important part Of the Judges
charge as relating 20 Mrs. Rosa u.
Hayes was as follows: "NJw. apply
ing these principles cf law 10 the facts
IN this cas-" aginst Rosa -. Hayes as
the jury shall find them. the court
'hStructs TN" jury that the prisoner,
having admitted that she killed the
deceased with "a deadly weapon. it is
incumbent upon h'r. I'm order to cN-
cusc the killing, to satisfy the jury
the cv.d"nc" introduced for her de
fence. and such evidence introduced
10y the state as shall Dee for hcl bcuc-