The New York herald., 1922-10-26
Alice Thornton Faints as
Case Goes to Vote; Soul
lion Is StOlid.
TRIAL LASTS II HOURS
Verdict Reached in Two Hours
and Forty Minutes After
Judges Charge.

Jersey Justice eclipsed yesterday
even it's own records Nor speed and
equity At $3.50 o'clock, less than
seventeen actual court hours from the
time George Cline, motion picture loca-
tion manager, Charles Scullion and
Miss Alice Thornton were placed on
trial Monday in, Hackensack for the
murder of Handsome Jack" Bergin.
film actor. a verdict had been returned
to the court. The three defendants
were. acquitted.
The jury Of six women and six men
found only one ballot necessary. This
ballot was taken after deliberation
of two hours and forty minutes-a
period that was heightened greatly, a
juror said later, by the charge OF Su-
preme Court Justice Parker to the
effect that he could see In the evidence
no legal theory of self-defense or
justification for acquittal under the
''unwritten law"
The verdict of not guilty set at rest
speculation that had been rife for three
days as to the effect the proportion of
women on the jury would have upon
the consideration of the plea made by
Cline in extenuation for his act It was
the first time in criminal court history
that such mixed jury had considered
largely into series Of moral problems.
Juror for "Unwritten Law"
One of the women among the jurors
In commenting after the trial upon the
verdict said:
"A man has the right to protect the
sanctity OF his home. I know my hus-
band would shoot to protect his"
Mrs. Susan S. Squire. the forewoman.
asserted:
"All the Jurors agreed not to discuss
the unwrltten law feature for pnblica-
ton. We relied on the testimony and
the jury decided that on the evidence
produced by the prosecution the case
had not been proved"
Gustave Sulger. another juror, said:
Justice Parker's charge to the jury
made ii difficult for us. That we con-
sidered the evidence thoroughly is in
dicated by the fact that It required two
hours and forty minutes to render one
ballot"
The trial marked the first time in the
history of judicial practice In New Jer-
sey that a verdict in murder case was
handed up by woman. Mrs. Squire,
twenty three year-old stenographer of
Ridgefield Park. was chosen last Mon
day as forewoman.
In returning the verdict. as well as
throughout the entire trial. the young
forewoman conducted herself as though
she had been accustomed to head juries.
Justice Parker briefly praised her SER
vices as he thanked the Jurors before
dismissing them.
; When the jury filed before the bench
and the court clerk asked Mrs. Squire II
a verdict had been reached hush that
was absolute fell upon the room. The
three defendants turned pale and every
spectator was tense as the girl replied ::
I'VE have"
what do you find as to the defend
ant Cline?" the clerk asked
mot guilty" she answered. The same
question and reply were repeated In the
cases of the other two defendants.
For moment silence again hung
over the courtroom. II was broken when
Cline, dropping his clenched fist to the
counsel table. murmured:
Thank God!"
At once he began to weep, and Mrs
Cline, sitting few seats behind him,
also gave vent to her emotions. She
clasped her two children. who looked UP
wonderingly at her to understand the
reason for her tears, to her bosom.
Then Cline made his way to her and
they embraced.
Miss Thornton. who tainted after the
case was given TO the jury and as she
was being led back to the jail nearby.
did not show any great emotion. beyond
a heightened color. Charles Sculion
likewise was composed.
An ovation awaited Cline and Scullion
when they returned to their home In
Edgewater. Crowds of neighbors and
friends gathered about the house when
the men arrived in an automobile. Mrs
Cline, who had preceded them In another
car, rushed from the house and threw
herself into her husbands arms Just as
he stepped from the automobile. Cline
virtually carried her into the house.
There his mother awaited to greet him
and to sob her Joy.
'T am too happy to-nigh' TO say any,
thing" Cline said. except that think
Justice has been done In this case"
Miss Thornton left the Jail shortly
after Cline and Sculllon. A party of
New York friends escorted her from the
door into an automobile
II am going home.' she said. 'T
don't know whether l will return to the