Evening star., 1922-09-24
BRYSON CONVICTED
Of SECOND-DECREE
MURDER; APPEALS
Verdict of Jury Carries Maxi
mum Penalty of Twenty
Years.
ACCUSED CALM IN COURT
Judge Suspends Sentence Pending
Formal Request for a
New Trial.
CALM IN COURT
From Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

was reached against DR.. Herbert T.
Bryson this afternoon at the conclus-
ion OF his trial for the killing of his
companion. Helen Irene Haines, on
April 8. The jury was out two hours
and twelve minutes.
Defense attorneys Immediately filed
a motion for a new trial, reseryine
ten days for the PREPARATION of neces-
sary papers. Bryson took the verdict
listlessly. He did not move a muscle
when 1t was read. Both before and
a1terward, he showed no change in
his regularity of breathing nor in his
absence of interest. Sentence was not
passed. 1t cannot be for more than
twenty years under Pennsylvania laws.
1t was suspended pending the hearing
on motion for a new trial.
After the verdict was announced
and the jury had been discharged,
Mrs. Elizabeth Bryson. the seventy
one-year-old mother of the prisoner,
though showing signs of an impend-
Ing breakdown, walked steadily over
to her son, stroked his head a few
times and pressed him to her breast,
murmurlng endearments Bryson
took 1t like man in a daze He sub
mitted in a sort of a half-hearted way
to the maternal caresses.
Judge Modiaes Charge.
When the sheriff tapped him on the
shoulder, he jumped, started, then
took his hat and with the usual drag
ging, unsteady stagger, he left the
courtroom. His departure was in the
same manner that marked his preyi-
GUS exits.
Mrs. Bryson showed great relief for
the removal of the shadow Of an
electric chair execution.
i The jury left the courtroom at 2:1S
o'clock. after a short delay caused by
| final requests of Attorney Chiselm for
a modification of the courts instruc-
| tion regarding the serious considera-
tion to be given the ante-mortem
statement of Mrs. Haines. Chisolm
won his point and Judge Thomas +.
Bailey modified the instruction from
the words very weighty considera-
ton" to careful consideration" The
last words of the court were that a
recess was declared until the ringing
of the bell. This is an old established
custom in Pennsylvania, by which
the town is notified Of the arrival at
a verdict. The courthouse bell chimed
the hours of 3 and O'Clock
and each time the handful of patient
spectators jumped with expectation.
1t was exactly 4:30 O'Clock when the
was at an end.
Mrs. Bryson and Mrs. Randall.
mother and sister of the prisoner, were
the first to reappear inside the railing.
They came in at 4:33 o'clock. Shortly
afterward Bryson appeared with the
sheriff, haggard and rather in need
of a shave. Judge Bailey took the
bench at about 4:42 o'clock and the
jury filed in.
To Ask New Trial.
The jurors chorused to the question
if they had reached a verdict: ''We
have" They answered unanimously
again to the question as to who would
announce it: Our foreman"
This is all strict Pennsylvania
custom. much of it derived from the
old common law procedure of Eng
land.
Joseph Brandt, foreman of the jury.
spoke into an anticipatory silence that
made his modulated voice sound loud
and resonant.
THE verdict. your honor, is murder
in the second degree" he said. Then
he sat down. The prisoner did not
move. Mrs Bryson raised her hand to
her breast. evidently fought for con-
troll and emerged in complete mastery
of her emotion. Tears were in the
eyes of Mrs Randall.
Attorney w. w. Chisholm was on his
feet at once. He was telling the court
of Investigations which are to be made
in the near future and making the formal
announcement of a motion for new
trial. Hearing Of the motion, it was
ten days.
Bryson went back to the Jail here to
await further developments. Most of
his friends are still here. They have
stood by him with loyalty, Attorney
Chisholm said. and Mrs. Bryson reiter
ated, that evidently had much to do
with the final verdict. Sentiment here
was remarkably set regarding the case.
Out Of ten persons the correspondent
talked to, five expressed an opinion that
! the electric chair was the only possible
verdict, four were just as strongly In
favor of an insanity acquittal, while
the tenth was inclined to that angle
but not certain of it: Many women here
favored Bryson, but the general run Of
masculine opinion was decidedly an
tagonistic.
Friends Await Verdict.
Many Of Bryson's medical and lay
| friends are leaving for Washington
on the midnight train tonight. AS
| matter Of fact, DR.. A. Magruder Mac
Donald, who was scheduled to get
back to town tonight for several i'm
| port engagements early tomorrow.
| was waiting for a train that was ten
minutes late. The train was steam
ing down the track when the court
| bell tolled out over the sounding
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