The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-04
STATE QUITS IN
HALL-M|LLS CASE
Continued From Page y

Continued From Page u
Harry Moore to be relieved of fur
Their responsibility in the case he
had fought unsuccessfully.
II am sure that popular senti-
ment favored yesterdays verdict,
and that today's action will meet
favor throughout New Jersey and
the rest of the country" the attor-
ney general said.
State Out 100000
An investigation and trial costing
the State at least 100000 has failed
to solve the crime.
Seldom has a favorable verdict
been accepted so calmly as by the
three defendants yesterday, when
after five hours of elaboration the
jurors solemnly reported mot
guilty"
Early December darkness had
fallen and the first SHOW of the
season was visiting Somerville. Mrs.
Hall and her brothers awaiting the
verdict IN the restroom of the county
jail. Not once through the desolate
hours did they discuss the trial.
Word spread that the jurors had
reached agreement. The defendants
returned to the court room. Twelve
men of the soil and such urban life
as Somerset County affords formed
a crescent about the judges bench.
A separate verdict was returned
for each of the accused.
Gentlemen of the jury. have you
reached a verdict?" asked the court
clerk nervously.
Yes, we have" "um-m." Came
in a tumble from The jurors.
do you find the defendant, Henry
Stevens, guilty or not guilty?"
Not guilty" replied Foreman
Frank Dunster, who for nine of the
ten ballots had held out for con.
viction.
Henry Stevens, the Lavalette
fisherman, swallowed with difficulty.
A dull glow suffused his rudy face.
There was no other outward sign Of
emotion.
do you find the defendant, VIII.
liam Stevens. guilty or not guilty?"
mot guilty"
Willie Grins
The man they called willie" and
ridiculed as an eccentric until he APP
peared on the witness stand in the
trial and displayed a mentality
above average, blinked and achieved
a slight grin.
do you find the defendant,
Frances Hall, guilty or not guilty?"
mot guilty"
The widows smile scarcely de-
served the name. She was the
same severe, Unconditional woman in
black, whose stole demeanor during
the trial was abnormal.
Commander Arthur Carpenter, her
cousin, stepped up and threw his
arm about her. Arthur Nelson, an.
other cousin and one of defense
counsel kissed her. Others surged
forward with congratulations.
The verdict had been anticipated.
Nelson already was ready with the
following statement on behalf of the
widow:
MY brothers and are very glad
after four years of gossip and false
accusations to have had this op-
portunity to face the situation In
open court, to have personally gone
on the witness stand and submitted
ourselves to thorough cross-exami-
nation and to have obtained com.
plete vindlcation through the verdict
Of a Somerset County jury. The
testimony Of the witnesses has been
broadly distributed daily through
the public prints, and we believe the
verdict will have full approval
throughout not only New Jersey, but
the United States. We shall not be
able personally to acknowledge the
many kind letters we have received,
and we shall appreciate 1t If the
press will give this word of thanks
to their writer's"