Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-01-16

7 TO S FOR ACQUITTAL.
Bond Renewed For Appearance at
April Term of Corporation Court
When New Trial Begins.

Announcement was made this
morning by Samuel g. Brent
commonwealth attorney. that Lewis
Hooff, secretary and general manag-
er of the defunet Mercantile Railway
and Building and Loan Association
would be tried again during the
April term of the corporation court
on one OF the indictments found ag-
ainst him for obtaining money from
the Virginia Safe Deposit and Trust
Co, by means of paid up certificates
of stock which the commonwealth
claims were .fraudently issued. Mr.
Brent wpuld not state upon
which indictment Mr.. Hooff would
be tried
After q sensational two days trial
which was marked by the appearance
as a witness of c. Jones Rixey, form
er president and cashier of the Vir-
ginia Safe Deposit and Trust Co., and
now an inmate Of the Western Asy-
lum for the Insane at Staunton, the
jury at $50 last night announced
their inability to agree in the case Of
Mr.. Hooff who was charged with the
larceny of 500 from the trust COM
pany. The foreman stated to the
court that the jury was hopelessly
divided and there was no possibility
of their coming to an agreement. The
jury was therefore dismissed and re-
turned to their home in Fredericks-
burg last night ta.a It was. afterwards
ascertained that the jury stood sew
en- for acquital and five for convic-
tion.
Mr.. Hooff renewed his bond in
the sum OF $4,000 for his appear
ance at the April term Of the court,
his wife and sister becoming his sure
ties
THE case of Hooff was given to
the jury at o'clock yesterday after
noon, and a few minutes before 6
o'clock no agreement having been
reached the jury was discharged un-
til s o'clock. A few minutes after
that hour the jury reconyened, and
at 9:25 O'Clock there was rap on
the jury room door. and all in the
court room stood in expectancy. The
jury filed in a few minutes after
ward and all answered to their nam
es when polled by the cerk.
Judge Barley suggested that il
there was any way in which the
court could assist the jury in reach
ing verdict it would gladly do so,
and he directed the jurymen to re-
turn to their room and try little
longer.
Ten minutes afterward the jury
men were called from their room,
and they had not reached verdict,
and were discharged. Judge Barley
thanked the jurymen for their at
tention to the case.
The trial Of Hooff begun Tuesday
morning in the Corporation Court.
The proceedings yesterday were
marked by rapidity on all sides.
AS decribed in the Gazette yester-
day. Great interest was shown by
the audience in the appearance of
G.. Jones kixey. former president Of
the Trust co., on the stand. He was
unable to throw any light on Hooff's
transactions with the bank.
The state rested it's case at 12:Go
O'Clock and the defense declared it
did not desire to put any witnesses
on the stand.
Considerable time was spent yes
terday afternoon in arguing the in
structions from the court to the jury
.everal new. points. were raised .oy
MIR. Hooff's attorneys but Judge Bar
ley left them to the jury 10 oeclae
The final arguments were made
for fhe State by commonwealth 8
Attorney Samuel c.. Brent who was
followed by Attorney John !. Lee, OF
Lynchburg. and John L. Jeffries, Of
Norfolk. on, behalf Of the accused
banker, and the closing argument
was completed at o'clock on be-
half Of the, State, By Mr.. Brent
This was the second trial for, Hoof
His first trial was held last Februar,
and lasted several days: A jury il
that trial was from Lynehburg, ane