The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-17

from it the important piece of paper
on which Orpet's fate was written.
Judges Hands Shake.
Judge Donnellys fingers shook as
he unfolded the document
"Is this your verdict, gentlemen p
inquired the judge.
1T isl they responded, following
the lead of Foreman James O'Shea.
who is partner in a music store in
Waukegan.
I'VE, the jury. find the defendant,
William Orpet, not guilty" read the
court
"Oh, goody," half screamed a wom-
an on the front bench
There were several irrepressib1e
''ohs'' and "ahs."
Four women ran from the room.
Judge Donnelly's face redeemed.
Turning to the sheriff, he said: Mr..
Sheriff, bring that person forward.
Sheriff Griffin could not find her.
IF could find out who made that
outcry there would be a chance for
some one to spend an hour or two in
the county bastile.' said the judge.
Mother Kisses Orpet.
When the words mot guilty. fell
from Judge Donnelly's lips. Orpet's
mother, who sat at his right clasped
him to her and kissed him. her eyes
| shining with triumph and pride.
She relinquished him in a moment
to Mrs Edwin Taylor, who conducted
a rooming house in Madison. Wis.
She motherer Orpet during the two
years he lived with her while attend
ing the University of Wisconsin. She
also kissed him.
Then they shook hands all around
with the three smiling, happy but
tired lawyers who have fought tena-
was poisoned in Helms woods on Feb
ruary 3, to free Orpet of the accuse
ton.
Edwin o. orpet. the defendants
were Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Lambert.
Marion's parents. Mr.. Lambert had
been in attendance until nearly 6
o'clock. but, feeling that the jury
| would not return a verdict for several
hours, went home to comfort his wife.
Verdict Jars Dady.
States Attorney Ralph ]. Dady re-
coiled as If from blow and his face
flushed when the decision of the
twelve arbiters was read.
Special Prosecutor David r. Joslyn,
who is states attorney of McHenry
county sat stunned. His head sank
to his breast.
But they were good losers.
In a minute they were up and
smiling to congratulate the jurors and
receive the best wishes of their
friends.
After receiving the affectionate en-
braces of his mother and clasping the
hands of Attorneys Wilkerson, Ralph
H. Potter and Leslie p. Hanna, Orpet
shook hands with each juror and ex-
pressed his thanks.
| Then he hurried into an ante-room,
where he was alone with his mother
| for a short time.
! But Mrs. Charles Donnelly, wife of
the presiding judge, was among the
first of the outsiders to grasp his
hand and congratulate him.
Case to the Jury.
The jury retired at 2:55 o'clock in
the afternoon to begin its delibera-
tons.
They took with them set Of fifty
| one instructions, considered highly
| favorable to the youthful defendant,
| and still ringing in their ears were
the final denunciatory words of Spe-
cial Prosecutor David r. Joslyn, who
concluded his argument at 2:13
o'clock.
Tragedy Occurred Last Feb. Q.
On the afternoon of last February s.
carrying the bottle of molasses and
water in his pocket, and leaving be-
hind him the alibi letters and bed
rumpled to deceive his landlady, the
student proceeded by way of Milwau-
kee, where he spent half hour or so
| between trains, to Lake Forest. Ar
irving there he arranged by telephone
| to meet Marion on her way to school
| the next morning, walked about for a
while to make certain that his parents
| had retired, and entered the McCor-
mick garage where he spent the night
| on a cot.
/ In the morning he and Marion met
and walked through the snow into the
! woods. Orpet testified that there was
little conversation, and he could recol-
II lect only the purport of it. He offered
her the medicine and she refused it.
He started to leave but she called him
back and asked If he was going to
write to her any more. He said there
seemed to be no use of it, and started
away again.
II Something made me look around
1 don't know what-and I saw Marion
lying in the snow related the defend
ant on the stand. 81 returned, kneeled
over her for maybe minute. 1 no.
ticed the moist powder in the lines of
her hand. Her eyes were glazed. Then
a kind of fog came on my brain and ]
don't remember much after that ex-
cept that on reaching the road 1 threw
away the medicine and made my way
on foot to Highland Park, caught a
train and that evening arrived back at
Madison"
Found Her Body in Snow
Marion was missed that night and
her body found the next morning.
Orpet was arrested and told numerous
conflicting stories prior to the trial,
these being used against him at the
trial. During his cross examination
which last three days he repeatedly
took refuge in 81 don't remember" He
spoke in a low voice, with apparently
studied effort, but nevertheless be-
came involved at times and extrica ted
himself by correcting my previous
testimony" His manner was nervous
and he rarely looked at his inquisitor
Attorney Joslyn.
Early in the case the state develop
ed the theory that Orpet purchased q
two-ounce bottle from Charles Has
singer, a friend employed in a drug
store at Madison, obtained cyanide OF
potassium from an alleged supply in
the greenhouse on the Mccormick es-
tate, and made a solution of it before
retiring to bed in the garage. 1t was