Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-07
JURY FINDS H00FF
IS NOT GUILTY.
After Three Hours DeliberatiOn
Brings in Verdict Of Acquittal
Last Night.
MIR. sHOOFF CONGRATULATED
Submission Of Case without Argument
Came as Surprlse-Mr. Hoof Makes
Poor Witness for Himself.


Came as Surprlse-Mr. HooF Make
Poor Witness for Himself.
I'VE find Lewis Hooff not guilt!
as charged was the verdict present
ed to the Corporation court at hal
past eight O'Clock last night by the
jury composed OF Lynchburg bust
ness men who for five days closely
listened to the voluminous evidence
which had been produced 10 show
that the accused was guilty on the in
dictment which charged that he had
embezzled about $3.50 in funds OF
the Mercantile Railway Building and
Loan Association. Immediately q
number OF friends of the defendant
commenced TO applaud, but they were
iaternly rebuked by Judge Barley,
who had previously warned the spec
,ators against any demonstration.
Mr.. Hooff and the members of the
family. who had been constantly by
his side since the trial commenced
thanked the jurors for their verdict
which they stated they had confident
~ expected.
Mr. Hooff was warmly congratulate
Ell by many of his friends who had
come to the court room expecting
that verdict of acquittal would be
rendered, as they we're positive that
no evidence had been introduced
which showed that there was any
criminal intent on Mr.. Hooff's part
10 cmbezZle any of the funds which
had been entrusted to him.
The verdict Of the jury was not
easily reached and it was confidently
expected by majority OF the per-
sons who heard the evidence that 4
mstrial would be the result. When
they retired at three-ffty yesterday
afternoon. il was not thought that
they would be heard from until late
in the evening. AT five o'clock, how
ever, they sent into the court room
for some OF the exhibits relating to
the third and fourth counts. At ten
minutes to six they we're brought
into the court room and said that
they were unable to come TO an agree
ment. Judge Barley explained 10
them that they had been brought 4
long distance to hear the evidence.
that the question was most serious
one for both the accused and the COM
monwealth. and that he could not ac-
cept their decision at that time. He
said that they would be permitted to
90 TO supper and be brought back
into court II half past seven to fur
Their consider the evidence and en-
deavor TO reach an agreement. Be-
fore the time appointed, however.
the jury were in the jury room and n
long wait followed. AT eight o'clock
they sent for exhibits OF charges nine
and ten. and at half past eight they
sent word that they had reached a
decision. The court room was death
" still rs the twelve men filed into
fine ,iury box and the spectators
leaned forward to hear the answer
as read by Clerk Greenaway. Mr..
Hooff seemed to be risibly affected by
the decision.
commemorative Attorney S. G.
Brent. who conducted the prosecu-
ton, called attention to the fact that
there are nine other indictments on
which Mr.. Hooff may be tried, and
the accused man was required to re-
new his bond of $4,000 before lcav
ing the courtroom.
Judge Barley set April 22nd rs
the date for the next trial.
Throughout the trial there have
been a number Of surprises TO those
who have followed its course day by
dav. The case of the prosecution
was handled In a most complete and
elaborate manner Samuel G.. Brent
the Commonwealth Attorney, show
ed the utmost familiarity with every
detail OF the management OF the
Mercantile, which must have caused
him months of tireless work IN run
ming down the various entries and
transactions in which Mr.. Hoon was
Sinvolved. The magnitude OF this
work can be imagined when it is
we'll known that three experts worked
on the books for more than three
months before completing q partial
report. Mr.. Brent had every entry
At his fingers tips and referred tc
page numbers In the ledgers and cast
books. numbers OF checks, STOCK