The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-08
Absolutely Nothing Found
Against Him." Says
Foreman of Jury
NEARLY TWO HOURS
IN REACHING VERDICT
New York Millionaire Out When Ver-
dict Given-Appears in High
Humor Over Acquittal and
Thanks Jury Heartily

Aiken, S. G, February Acquitted OF
the charge of committing a murderous as
sault upon his wife, Frederick 0. Beach,
the New York millionaire. enjoyed the
additional satisfaction today of hearing
from the lips of the jury foreman that
there was absolutely nothing against
him.
Beach was not III the court room when
the jury filed in at o'clock after being
out just one hour and forty-five minutes.
Judge Spain had declared recess for
dinner when the first half hours delibera-
ton had failed to produce a verdict, and
Beach and his wife had gone to their
hotel. Every one of Beachs lawyers was
In his seat scanning the faces of the walt
, ing jurors for some sign in their favor
Two minutes passed and Beach did not
appear.
Then the court directed the clerk TO
poll the Jury and ask whether they had
agreed upon verdict Foreman A. II.
McCarol who is a cotton mill superin-
tendent. merely handed the clerk an en-
velope containing the verdict
| As the words. not guilty. reached the
ears in the packed court room, there was
a slight stir, but no applause. An instant
later the familiar figure of the New York
society man appeared in the doorway
with his face beaming. The news of his
acqulttal had reached him in the hall.
Without pausing even to greet his law
! yers, Mr.. Beach walked over to the jury
box and shook hands warmly with every
juror in his reach. He waved and bowed
/ his thanks TO those in the back row.
No Case Against Beach
"rhere was absolutely no case against
| you. Mr. Beach," said Foreman McCarroll
as be grasped the extended hand in
hearty clasp. 1T was case of too much
Watson and not enough Sherlock
Beach understood and laughed, at the
same time slapping the husky mn super
intendent familiarly on the back. After
shaking hands all arohnd with his law
/ yers. the judge, the clerk anl the neaiffs.
Beach hurried away to join his wife.
| WHO had remained at the hotel. Mrs
Beach had been appraised OF the verdlee
by telephone.
Foreman McCarroll said after the jury
! had been discharged that verdict should
have been reached in a much shorter
| time but for the disposition OF one or
two of the Jurors to discuss everything
under the sun except the Beach case
Il have been vindicated as l knew
would be when jury of twelve men
/ heard all the evidence in the case" said
/ Mr.. Beach short time later on his way
| to the telegraph office. Mr.. Beach would
not discuss his plans further than to
say that he and Mrs. Bench expected to
1 leave tomorrow afternoon to visit some
friends in the north.
! Chatted With Neighbors
During the half hour the jury was out
1 before recess was ordered Beach and his
| wife chatted gaily with neighbors of their
4 set who crowded around to offer a word
OF encouragement Neither of them ap-
peared to be concerned in the least over
! the outcome OF the trial Mrs. Beach
asked for a newspaper and laughed witt.
Mrs Harry Hollins. who sat on the arm
! OF her chair, as she read some of the
references to herself in the report of the
trial.
The judges charge to the jury was
Ibrief lie made the customary charge
iabout the presumtion Of Innocence and
said that the prosecution was bound
Ito the act charged in the Indictment
THAT Mrs. Beach was cut with knife
Inv Beach and was bound to prove It,
j He told the jury that Beach was not
bound to prove that he did not commit
the crime. He pointed out the validity
lof eiroumstantial evidence but warned
the jury that each link in the chain
must be proven beyond reasonable
ldoubt to make the evidence complement
THE court said that the jury could find
Beach guilty of assault and battery
with intent to kill" and with assault
land battery of a high and aggravated
mature, tho degree depending on wheth-
ler or not the act was premeditated.
Prosecutor Ridicules Story
Prosecutor Gunter outlined the state :
theory of the assault in his closing
/ -