New-York tribune., 1915-03-27
ACQUIT DARLING
OF STEALING WIFE
Jurvmen Free Him from
Blame for Mrs. ShaW's
Presence in Hotel.
BANKER DROPS
ALIENATION SUI
Promise of Divorce Made by
Husband Was Factor in Whlte
Plains Verdict.

Twelve men left County Judge Platt
court in White Plains, at 5:45 o'clock
last night, spent more than an hour
over their dianer and then returned to
tho iury room TO consider the evidence
for and against Richard 5. Darling.
One man thought he was guilty when a
ballot was taken TO get the sentiment
of the majority A second ballot showed
all in favor Of arquittal.
The jury then reported to the court
that Darling was not guilty Of having
"enticed Mrs. Robert VI. Shaw from her
home in Morrstown, ~ j., and taken
her TO Gedney Farm Hotel, whore they
stayed for six days The prisoner was
Immediately discharged by Judge Platt.
Thus ended the prosecution of Darling.
accused by the New York banker OF
having stolen his wife and violated the
New York law which provides penalties
similar to those laid down by the Mann
white slave act.
Drops $4,000 SUIT.
Mr.. Shaw was not in court when the
verdict was announced. lie had left
White Plains after the jury took the
case. Speculation as TO his future
action was dispelled by his annoInce-
ment that he had dropped his $4,000
suit against Darling for alleged aliela-
tion Of his wife's affections
"You can't get blood out Of a stone,
he said. whats the use Of suing"
As soon rs the jury reported, at 7:45,
Mrs. William A. Darling, mother of the
defendant, shook hands with each man
IN the box and said to all: "YOur YER
dict is a righteous one"
The prisoner appeared greatly pleased
at the outcome. He asserted that Mrs.
Shaw. who is not yet twenty years old,
had left her home of her own accord
because of Shaw's cruelty.
The defence based its case on the
bankers alleged inhuman treatment of
+ his young wife. Darling did not take
the stand in his own behalf, nor did
Mrs. Shaw appear; but many witnesses
were called 20 show she had ample
cause for leaving her Morristown home.
Just before the defence closed its case
DR.. Ferdinand G.. Kneer. of the Post
Graduate Hospital, told about an injury
for which he had attended Mrs. Shaw.
Shaw told him he had kicked his wife
in the back, the physician testified, be
cause he said he had found a man get
ting too friendly with her. DR.. Kneer
described the banker as a psycopathic
unit and said that he suffered slightly
from ego. Shaw scowled his disap-
| proval of the diagnosis.
Had Promised a Divorce.
/ George c. Andrews, of counsel for
i Darling, emphasized a note he said
Shaw had signed. 1t read: 81. Robert
Marsden Shaw, in the presence Of my
mother, Mrs. Vivian Shaw, and her
mother, Mrs. +. b. Lyall, say that |
will give my wife a divorce any time
she wants it without any remuner-
alton" Counsel compared this with
/ the bankers testimony that his life was
always full of sunshine until "Dickie'
Darling stole his wife.
William J. Fallon retaliated by read
ing letter he said Darling had writ
ten 20 Mrs. Shaw after the Gedney
Farm Hotel episode.
ITO the dearest sweetheart and most
wonderful little girl" it began, 81 am
sitting in the Office and would give any
thing in all the world if | was with you
to-day. Good little girl, you cannot i'm
( agine how much ! love and adore my
little wife-to-be all | do is think and
think of you. Cad, Bob was funny last
night playing poker. He said: Well,
never mind, Dick, you are lucky in
love-
II pray every night that you will win
your annulment and that you will be
my little wife soon. viii you be per
fcctly happy. dearest. to be my little
wife and live all alone in the country
with no one but me and our two or
three children?
God Katherine, how wish we were
married and everything was all set
| tied. Bob Jerry and myself are going
/ TO New Rochelle to-day TO look at some
boats, as Bob wants to get one right
away. Goodness, Katherine, / wonder
/ if you will always be my true little
girl? Give my love 20 mother"