Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-03
PLEDGES LIFE TO BOY
Mrs. Grace to Return to Her
Mother and Child.
ACCUSING HUSBAND BITTER
MAY God Be Lenient as the jury"
He Comments.
CHEERS GREET ACQUITTAL
Atlanta Woman Held Not Guilty of
Shooting Spouse to Gain
Insurance Money.

ATLANTA, Ca. August 3.-DaiSy Opie
Grace, acquitted yesterday of the charge
of attempting to- murder her youthful
husband, said this morning that she
would leave either tonight or tomorrow
for Philadelphia to live
Il am going back to my former home
as soon as my lawyers will permit me.
Mrs. Grace said. Il intend to devote the
remainder of my life to comforting my
mother and taking care Of my lonely lit
tie boy
May God be as lenient with her as the
jury was" exclaimed Eugene H Grace,
when he heard his wife had been ac-
quilted. Her statement that she did
not shoot me In the hope Of killing me
and securing $4,000 life insurance is a
tissue of lies" he declared
Divorce Is Planned.
Grace plans to consult specialists soon
in the hope of regainng the use of his
legs. They have been paralyzed since
March ). when he was shot. the bullet
lodging against the spinal column. Mrs.
Grace refused today to discuss the ques-
ton Of a divorce. Attorneys for Grace
already have announced hat they Will in
stituie suit.
The scenes in the court following Mrs.
Graces acquittal yesterday were dra-
matte.
God bless you. gentlemen cried Mrs.
Grace at i:4O o'clock in the afternoon,
when the jury found her not guilty. There
was note Of hyster.a in her voit;e. and
she seemed on the verge Of collapse
but her lawyers patted her on the Shout
der and urged her to restrain herself, and
she soon became calm. Then the crowd III
court cheered the verdict and surged
about Mrs Grace, many Of the women
weeping.
AT last the deadly wilderness of Mrs
Grace's face was relieved by a flush and
she began to smile Then she approa CHI ed
each of the twelve jurors and thanked
him
Felt Like Kissing Jurors.
Il feel like kissing and hugging YOU
all" said Mrs. Grace Il trusted YOU all
the time. knew YOU would not believe
what they said about me.
Followed by a cheering throng Mrs.
Grace soon left the courtroom and went
received IA telegram from her sister in
Philadelphia to the effect that Mrs.
Graces little blind son was ILL.,
Il shall go to little Webster at once,
said Mrs. Grace.
was conceded that the state failed to sus-
tain the charge that Mrs. Grace had
drugged and shot her husband and locked
him in room to die.
Mrs. Graces statement had a tremen-
dous effect the jury, and its main as
sertions We're generally credited. especial
~ those relating TO the large sums she
had lavished on Grace and of his atten-
tions TO other women.
1 developed that Mrs. Grace's remark
able story OF the shooting of her hus-
band was carefully prepared dec,ama-
ton. pruned, amended and polished by
her lawyers. and as carefully rehearsed
as dramatic offering By professional
actress.
For two months Mrs Grace rehearsed
tn. -tasement until she was letter per-
feet. There were 5000 words in the state
ment. but Mrs. Grace never faltered once
during its delivery.
The case was given to the jury at $50
by Judge Roam. whose charge favored
Mrs. Grace. The jurors ate dinner and
about 3 80 O'Clock began consideration OF
the facts After little discussion il was
| found that all agreed Mrs. Grace was
not guilty. and the verdict of acquittal
was ordered.
Eugene Grace was not in court. He
was taken back to his home in Newman
last night and there heard OF the YER
dict.