The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-15
SILENCE SHROUDS
DELIBERATIONS IN
j. S. court TRIAL
Grapevine Buzzes With All
Sorts Of Rumors But
None Are Verified :.
MANY REPORTS ARE HEARD
Large Volume Of Testimony and
Many Exhibits May Be
Cause Of Delay
MANY REPORTS ARE HEARD

Rumors flew thick and fast around
Bismarck Friday as q federal court
jury deliberated the fate Of Governor
William LANCER and five other men
charged with conspiracy to obstruct
operation Of an act of congress.
All OF the stories related to the sit
uation in the Jury room, despite the
fact that the deliberations were Sc
cret. They ranged from reports that
the talesmen stood IL to one for con-
viction to six-to-six tie. That was
the best break the defendants got In
the grapevine" reports. Other rum
ors heard frequently were nine to
three and eight to four for conv1c-
ton.
How many ballots had been taken
BY the jury was not disclosed. The
only certain thing was that no official
report had been made by the jurors
At 2 p. M. Friday.
Many Expected Delay
There was much speculation q to
the possibility Of . disagreement but
persons In touch with the case COM
mented that an early verdict could not
be expected In view Of the heavy VOL
Tune Of testimony to be reviewed and
the large number Of exhibits to be
examined.
In case the jurors have difficulty In
arriving ut q decision. 1t Is not ex-
pected that Federal Judge Andrew
Miller will excuse them until and UNI
less there Is no possibility Of reaching
an agreement.
The only official word coming from
the jury after It took the case early
Thursday afternoon was that Lester
7. Crist. Grassy Butte farmer. had
been chosen foreman.
Heard Fight O naAio
The jurors took time out Thursday
night to listen to radio reports a tlho
Carnera-Baer fight and for lunch ~
RODS, but otherwise devoted tlaote tioso
to bordering the case until shortly AZ
ter midnight.
In the custody Of bailiffs the u men
had midnight snack and then re-
tired for the night.
At . .. m. today they marched
into the jury room at the postoffice
building here. Judge Andrew Miller
had told them after giving his In
structtons that he would be ready to
hear the verdict at 9 .. M, II the
jurors had reached q decision during
the night. He also advised the jurors
he would be ready to furnish addi-
tional instructions at that time II they
desired more Information from the
court.
The jury deliberated until after
midnight Friday morning and then
retired for the night. It went back
into session 1t 3 q. m.
The jurors carried with them into
the jury room the vast accumulation
Of exhibits introduced by prosecution
and defense forces: cancelled checks
OF The Leader" administration news
Paper around which the legal battle
rcged: bank deposit ard withdrawal
records Of both 1.-THE Leader" and
LANCER accounts, together with the
Documentary story OF hangers wheat
and stock deals.
Judge 10 Foroeful
With them too went the forceful
instructions Of Presiding judge An
drew Miller to bring in . verdict on
the evidence-if they are guilty. saw
so!-If they are innocent-say so!"
As the Jurors began their arduous
task Of deciding the future Of five
tellow-meu, similar discussions 6 to
the probable fate Of LANCER and his
associates held the interest OF dosens
Of gesticulating groups which gathered
ca street-corners and in the corridors
Of the federal building. Little else
was discussed in Bismarck q the word
spread that the LANCER case has
gone to the jury"
The jury received the case ct 1888
p m. Thursday after listening to .
two hour and forty minute closing
charge by Judge Miller-a charRe
marked BY the evident emotion q the
judge g he instructed the Jurors IA
the law and the talesmen's duties.
In tones husky With emotion, Judge
Miller leaned forward toward the Jury,
as he neared the close Of his cherxe:
Demands Verdict on Evi6enoe
Il do not want you to Iornet the
defendants interest In this case he
declared earnestly 'beceuse their very
liberty y at stake" The palm Of his
hand. fingers outspread. pressed
against the bench g he roe partially
from his chair-"but I do want YOU
to bring in . verdict On the evidence.
His hand closed into . TT ana he
struck the wood With : rssounding
thump.
II they are guilty-ssy 81" again