Putnam patriot., 1926-10-01

Raymond A. Netherbee. "a. af North Grosvenordale. on trial for nine days in the Windham county superior court before Judge John K Booth and n jury. was acquitted by the jury at 2.S0 o'clock "Wednesday afternoon The jury deliherated but fnsty two minutes, and il Is believed that but one ballot was taken. While the yer diet Was not a surprise to those who had followed the case day by day. the announcement by the foreman that the jury acquitted the defendant was greeted with such an eHtburst of ap- plause that Judge Booth ordered the sheriff to clear the court room of all hut those concerned in the ease. court officials and members of the press
 When the foreman of the jury. Charles T. Salisbury of Plainaeld. a hardware dealer, announces the yer diet. spectators clapped loudly. while Netherbee maintained the same calm that he has shown throughost the srial and it may he assumed from his de. meannr all during what must have been most trying ordeal for the young man. that had the verdict been AAA VI rt ut MWhAN HaNA ANtAANAA II Mitil the same stoicism.
 On account of the commntion caused by the spectators being driven from the court room. Wetherbee was obig- cd to stand and await the final proceed infs. When order was restored the ass staui clerk. Miss Mariarv Brnd ford. read the iurY's finding and asked the jury. 50 say you ali 9a and the jury responded Yes
 Defendant Discharged
 Iudg Booth expressed his personal thanks iu members of the panrl, and also the thanks of the state. alludinr ta the burden and responsibility that had rested upon their shoulders in such an important criminal case The judge then asked States Attorney Bradford f there was any reason for still fur ther holding the defendant Receiving a negative reply he ordered SheriI Gates te release Wetherbee from fur thvr custody. and then ordered court adjourned until next Tuesday morning at Ailllmantle when the trial of other criminal eases will be resumed
 A soon as the sherid's envel fell. Wctherhce shook hands with his c0nu- sel Relatives rushed Co his side Co congratulate him. He smiled faintly as he grasped the hand of each Att torney William A. King of Milliman- tie. who assisted the states attorney in the trial of the ease. stepped to the table of defendants counsel and shook hands with each
 Wetherbee. still shaking hands, left the courtroom. Among those to con graduate him was State Policeman Streaman, who worked up the ease against him. As he reached the side walk in front of the building he found his friends. driven from the court room on account of their noisy demon stration. waiting for him. There was cheer as he appeared and he again went through the hand shaking pro cess Al this time the forcmss of the jury took the opportunity to shake hands with the man whom the jurs had freed. the foreman making tht overture himself.
 Wetherbee's mother. with the young est member of the family of six chil dren, a baby in arms, greeted hor sof but showed little more emotion thar did the young defendant eVidencinf that possibly from her be inherits hi attribute of staieism.
 Happiest Day of His Life
 Wetherboe vent to tho oilie4 of hi, counsel. Attorney Irving II Miron. ant here the mother and baby and other members of the family greeted hlm again Asked by Patriot reporter what ho had to say. he replied in a slow calm tone. 4I don't know ns ] can tell you just how feel. It Is hard to say. You can say this. that this is the happiest day of my life. There was not the statement 70 often made by the central figure in such sit uations that he was innocent and felt that he would be acquitted. He seem ed to take his aequittal as matter of course and showed in no manner that be appreciated the seriousness of the situation from which he had been freed but few minutes before. Weth. erbee soon left the attorneys office and went to his North Groaven0rdala home where he ate his evening meal with the family of eight for fke nrat ftuae