The Washington times., 1921-12-21


ally before Judge Chinn and ask for
possessions of the children or first 10
seek this permission over the teie'
phone.
Scenes In the. Montross courthouse
when the jury acquitted Mr.. Eastlake
at sos D. m. yesterday were those OF
confusion jubilation and Tenderness.
Immediately the words mot guilty"
had been spoken by Foreman l. w
English, the accused mans sister. Mrs.
Mabel Chambers, rushed to his side
and showered him with embraces and
kisses.
His mother, large woman. dressed
IN conventional black, was next to
weep over her sons happiness. which
she did freely.
Eastlake's only comment was:
Il felt all the time they couldn't con-
Wet mellow could XII my wifeY"
Judge Lauds Jury.
Judge Chinn compiimented the
jury on the verdict, and assured them
that the evidence justified the find
Ing.
There has been no fact proved In
this court to connect Mr.. Eastlake
with the killing of his wife. and ]
congratulate him as well as you gen.
tleimen." Judge Chinn said.
Throughout the suspense between
the time the jury retired with the
case and the time It returned. the
prisoners sister sat perched on the
court railing Just back OF where
Eastlake was sitting, with her arms
around his neck and patting his
cheek with one hand. She has been
closer to him during his odeal than
any of the other members OF his
farptly, and she shows more OF the
strain than either the acquitted man
or his mother.
The Jury had been out but fifteen
miputes when 1t sent into the court
for the Knox Eastlake letters. the
blood-stained cap, and the hooded
rain-cape presented as evidence dur
ing the trial
Brother Consoles Eastlake.
Meanwhile the court attendants
brought in lighted oil lamps as the
room buzzed with speculation as to
the verdict. Donald Eastlake, the
brother, paced the courtroom floor
impatiently and occasionally paused
to chat with Judge Chinn or walk
over to his brother and give him
consoling word Of announcement.
The attitude of the four Eastlakos,
from accused man to mother. had been
hat OF confidence throughout the
rial. Day after day they were at the
risoner's side. lending all the comfort
nd strength possible. 1t was their
battle as well as Rogers, and they
were all present at the end to receive
the verdict.
In Good Standing With Navy.
Eastlake ate hearty supper in
Fredericksburg about $3.50 last night.
the first substantial meal he has hac
since he left the Jail at Richmond Flo
arose shortly after o'clock this morn.
ing and had breakfast with his sister
and mother, who did not stay at the
hotel, but who were the guests over
night Of Mr.. Butzner. their counsel-in
chief
Eastlake is still chief petty officer
in the United States navy. He is un.
der orders from Lieutenant Comman-
der Green, of Dahlgren Naval Station.
to return to duty. His status during
his confinement has been that of a
member OF the navy under civil Gus
tody.
At the time Of the killing Of Mrs.
Eastlake, her husband was on leave
from his naval duties. The rule IL
that a member Of tho service must re-
turn to his post when ms furlough has
expired unless he FL physically unable
or in custody OF the civil authorities,
or he Is considered .dessrtsr.
When a service man under -civi,
charge is found guilty by the civil
courts Of any felonious crime. he is
automatically dropped from the navy
at the time he begins to serve his sen.
tence. SIS
Eastlake's pay has run on. He will
be assigned elsewhere soon after hic
return to duty.
Eastlake. accompanied by his broth
er, left shortly after 10 o'clock this
morning for Washington.