Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-10
JURY ACQU|Ts MRS..
N D HR; NEGROES
ARE FOUND GUILTY
Deliberations Occupy Period Of
Over Seven Hours; Brown
and Spellman Face
Life Sentences.

Providence FEB, G.-ATrs. Elizabeth
Frances NIohr was acquitted Saturday
evening Of the charge of instigating the
murder OF her husband, Dr.. Charles
Franklin Mohr, on August - last. Tho
game jury that acquitted hcr, convicted
Cecil Victor Brown and Henry Spell
man. the two young negroes charged
with actually numbering the doctor for
pay promised them by Mrs. Mohr.
Five minutes after tho verdict was
announced Mrs. Mohr walked out Of the
superior court room where she had hccn
on trial for the past four weeks, sur
rounded by friends and relatives. She
entered a waiting limousine which sped
with her to her home at Reservoir ave-
nue., where her two children. Charlie,
10, and Virginia, 6, and more friends were
awaiting her. BY the time she reached
her home Brown and Spellman were lock-
cd IN facing life Imprisonment, unless
| the sppea; Of their LAWYERS is success.
tul.
Mrs. Mohr is still under Indictment for
heing an accessory before the fact Of the
shooting of Miss Emily G. Burger, who
was riding with DR.. Mohr and was sci-
ously injured at the same time that he was
he brought to trial on this charge Of insrl-
eating an assault with intent to kill. At
torney- General Herbert A. Rice refused to
discuss this question. but information
came from his Office that, as there is not
as much evidence against Mrs Mohr on
| the untried charge as there was support
ing the murder indictment, 1t is reasonable
| to assume that her freedom will not be put
q ..l,1
der $4,000 bail on the indictment
1t was a galvanizing moment in the SUI
perior court room when the jur: came in.
The IL men had been delibera ting more
than seven hours. Following Judge
Stearns's charge this morning. the jury
retired at lO:49 O'Clock. A few minutes
later Mrs. Mohr. being free on bail, went
to her home with her two lawyers. John
j. Fitzgerald and Arthur Cushing Brown
and Spellman were taken 10 their cells
All day the courtroom remained crowded
with the spectators who had followed the
trial from the beginning
Shortly after $50 O'Clock the jurymcr
sent out word that they wished furthcI
instruction from the court, and Judge, Off
GERS. defendants. lawyers assembled. Mrs
| Mohr came from her home in the limou
sine, and Brown and Spolman were
brought from their cells. Then a deputy
| sheriff spoke to the judge. who announced
that the iurymen had changed their minds
and did not want instructions. by TINS
time It was quarter of six, and IL min
utcs later Just as those assembled were
about to disband word came that the jur,
had reached it's verdict.
Mrs. Mohr gave out the following state
ment:
II was confident from the beginnin
that when the truth was known, n
jury of twelve mon would ever convic
me Of the terrible crime of which ! Wa
accused To he charged with bringin
| about the death of tho man who wa
the father of my children. with whol
always hoped to become reconcile
and whose untimely death was the mos
terrible shock I ever received, was tn
elimination Of a series of persecution
and misstatements that have cloudcd m
. life.
Il want to express my appreciate
OF the consideration shown me by Judr
Stearns. for the fairness OF the jury an
3 for the kindness of friends who SO 10,
} ally stood by me.
] II am home again now, with my dea
est Charlie and my beloved Virginia, al
hope to be allowed to devote the re
\ of my life to their welfare
I AS last word. / want to expire!
, my appreciation of the efforts of NJ
( Gushing and his associates in my beha
@ as well as to thank them heartily fl
8 their always kindly sympathy. AS f
o Mr.. Fitzgerald. | can with difficulty brii
h myself to speak of him. lie wrap,
Il himself so completely IN my case tn
e every time I think OF him my eyes +
with tears. ] will never, never forget hin
and I want to thank him. not only f
myself. but for my little ones. That is
can say now"