The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-22

 and took a seat beside him. Judge piled; "We have, your honor" le court.
 The courtroom last night pre- scented A strange contrast to it's ap- pearance during the trial Only few people had heard the jury was going to render It's verdict and had como to witness the end of the trial. The crowd scarcely filled the space be. hind the rail. The lights in the room were dim Those who had been at the afternoon session thought of the crowd which had filled every avail able space and how the crowd had eaten it's lunch iu the room withou; leaving This was the end of the trial. and only few were present. When the clerk had solemnly read the verdict, there was a shout of triumph by some spectator who ran from tho room. Judge Fort instructed an officer to find the man and arrest him, but he was not to be found. I stephenson Smiled Those who looked over at Steph- enson and his wife saw the man Who has been on trial for the past week brush tear from his eyes, and then smile brightly. Mrs. Stephenson wept, but 1t was easy to see that they were tears of joy.
 The foreman of tho jury handed the clerk of the court the pistol with which the shooting was said to have been oone and a pair of suspendera Stephenson had worn on the fatal afternoon. both of which had been offered as evidence in the case
 In few words Judge Fort told 1 the jurors they had finished their
 duty and could he excused.
 ''Xou will probably never be called upon, gentIemen,- Judge Il Fort safd, ito decide upon a case
 whfch has more public interest.
 The whole government depends
 upon having impartial trials, and
 therefore 1t ia necessary that the
 average citizen hold himself In
 readiness to serve upon . jury at
 any time.
 "I believe you have done your
 best Thsre will be many opir-
 Ions, but no can properly
 criicise the honest verdict of I1 honest men. This case had had q
 prompt trial. as the law requires,
 and complete presentation of the evidenced"
 As soon as the jury had left the Jury box they filed by Stephenson, wno extended eacn Of them his hand without word. Mrs. Stephenson, smiling. said she wanted to shake hands with them, too. When the jury had retired. Mir Stephenson went up to Judge Fort and thanked him for the fair way in which he had pre- sided over the case
 @Stephenson's StntemeN
 T am broken hearted man, judge he said simply, I"but I am going to try to live so that no man on the Jury will ever be sorry for the verdict they rendered. I have only love in my heart for every person in Birmingham. l am going to remem- Der them all in my prayers"
 Mrs. Stephenson. who, through the trying days of the week has been at her husbands side all the time, smiled as she received the congratulations of her friends.
 q have felt that 1t would come out all right she said.
 Both of them shook hands heartily with their counsel, Judge Hugo Black and Fred Fite.
 of the courtroom he looked back to see if there was anyone at his side Finding that there was not, he smiled and said
 I'm not used to walking by my self"
 At 1O:4S o'clock the warden of the jail made a note on the docket that Edwin II. Stephenson had been re- l leased by acauittal. A few minutes later MT. and Mrs ! Stephenson left the jail and were ! taken to their home, on Seventh ave- nue by Fred McDuff, chief deputy sheriff, in his car.
 Charge to Jury Judge ". F. Forts charge to the tfyss y.XE i not completed until o'clock The jury was then handed the indictment of the grand jury against Stephenson, tho pistol with which he is alleged to have shot the priest, which had been 1 offered evidence by the state and q pair of suspenders he wore at the time of the shooting, which had been ! offered as evidence by the defense.
 Closing Argument
 The closing argument for the state was begun by Solicitor Joseph R. ii Tate shortly before o'clock. Mir. Tate argued that at IS Ruth Guss | man. Stephenson's daughter, was of the age of actountability and there fore had q right to choose her re- .iligion for herself. l in answer to the attack of Judge Hugo Black. defense attorney. who had preceded him, had made upon the witnesses the state had placed upon the stand Mir. Tate said that all that 1t was necessary for the state 10 prove was the death. that 1t hap pened in Jefferson county, show the Z, means of the killing and that the shooting occurred before the grand jury had indicted the accused. Then 1 the burden of proof. he said, was shifted to the defense.
 MT. Tate said that the defense lad offered number of excuses for the shooting, but said nons of them were sufficient He pointed out the one on the self-defense plea. and said that the defense would have to prove that the defendant was free from fault in bringing on the light. that he was in immtnent danger of death
 ,Continuet on Page Tws)