Norwich bulletin., 1922-10-26
Acquitted of Murder
 0fAct0r JackBergen
Jury Vindicates George Cline, Charles Scullion and Alice Thornton.

Hackensack, N. J., Oct. 25.-A jury in Bergen county, headed by twenty-three year old girl, today acquitted George Cline location finder, charged with mur- der, and also freed his brother-in-law, Charles Scullion, and Alice Thornton, friend, of charges of being implicated with him in the shooting to deAh of "Daredevip' Jack Bergen, motion picture actor, following a trial consuming less than r court hours.
 The trial was unique in several re- spects. For the first time in the history ,, of judicial practice. verdict in a mur- der trial was handed up by woman Miss Susan Squires. The evidence, which resolved itself largely into series of moral problems, was passed upon by | a jury composed equally of men and women. And finally, it was one of the speediest trials ever held in state not ] ed for the rapidity of its judicial ma chinery.
 The trial was opened at 10 o'clock on Friday morning In fortyfive min utes the jury had been selected. At 4.2j i o'clock the same afternoon, County ! Prosecutor Hart announced that the state would rest and court was adjourn ed for the day.
 l Tuesday the defense opened and call ed but one witness, beside Cline and Miss Thornton, who testified in their own de fense Court then was adjourned an' the jury was taken to Edgewater fol an examination of the Cline house, wher' it was alleged Bergen was summoned or the night of August 25 to- account fol his conduct toward Cllne's wife ana l where Cline testified he~ challenged tn actor to duel when he said that Mrs Cline was "a bum and all women ar bad"
 Today the defense called five witnesses four of them in rebuttal, before restini it's case Prosecuting and defense at torneys summed up briefly, and Suprem Cour tJustce Parker charged the jury a once, The jury retired at 1 o'clock aft CT an elapsed time of but 14 court hour
 from the seating of juror No. 1. Afte
 one hour and forty minutes of delibera
 ton, the first ballot was taken, and tn jury sent word to Justice Parker that
 had reached a decision.
 The six men and six women juror | filed into the jury box a moment latel 1 Miss Squire. slip of g. girl, rose in he place at the head of the jury. Have you agreed upon verdict Asked the court.
 The words of her answer. 'fWe have.
 were caught only by the clerk. despite tn , absolute silence which prevailed in til
 court room. The rest of what she sai !, was lost. Some of those within fe' , feet of the jury box believed she ha said "Guilty." and turned to commun
 cate with those behind them. Did you say Guilty or 'Sot gui
 ty9' asked the clerk. l Miss Squires cleared her throat wit
 effort.
 lN-o+ o,,,ii+v :" sha ranIfed and il
 words were audible throughout the roor
 Supreme Court Justice Parker <. thanking the jury. touched briefly on u
 services of Miss Squires. The jury filC l, from the box and left the court. = The Cline residence in Bdwarter, in e second story room of which the shooti1 : of Daredevir' Jack occurred just tv l. months ago to- day, was the scene - gaiety tonight as friends and membe [. of their families welcomed the acquitt T trio home.