The Potteries Examiner : — 1872-08-10 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

THE POTTERIES EXAMINER-SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1872.  THE MURDER OF FLSK.  The trial of Edward Stokes for the murder of Fisk, of Erie Railway notoriety, ooeupied twenty days in New York. On the last day but one Judge Ingraham formally charged the jury on the evidence and the legal points involved, and at 2.30 they retired for consultation. At 4.53 they came into court to ascertain the opinion of the judge in regard to pre. meditation, and then immediately returned to the jury:room. During all this time Stokes chatted gaily in the ante-room with his father, mother, sister, and friends, apparently the most disinterested of all the spectators. Early the nert day, which was Sunday, while the religions portion of the community were about preparing for church servioe, an immense concourse of people, largely composed of ladies, had assembled on the steps of the new courthouse and the adjoining side-walks, anxiously await. ing the announcement of the verdict of the jury. About ten o'tlock, the New York papers say, the ladies were admitted to the court-room, with the reporters and a few privileged individuals, but the vast majority of applicants wore denied admission. Inside many speculations were rife as to the decision of the jury. The question of holding court on the Sabbath was also canvassed, very many bailerieg that judicial action on that day would be illegal; but by a special statute of the legislature the court ' is empowered to extend the recess from Saturday to Sunday, and record the proceedings of the Sabbath as of the previous day. Neal/ally at eleven ' o'clock Judge Ingraham took his seat on the bench, and immediately afterwards Stokes, accompanied by I his brother and a few personal friends (his father, mother, and sister were absent) entered the court, and occupied his accustomed seat beeide his lawyers Re was very pale and careworn, and, ache dr3pped on the chair, a sigh involuntarily escaped him. The jury were then summoned, and amid breathless silence, took their seats. It was observed that the prisoner never koked toward them, even while their names were being called, until the judge, addressing the foreman, said. "I understand, gentlemen, you have not agreed ? With a quick start he glanced at the jury, and something like a smile played across his face.  The Foreman There is no probability that we can agree; not the least chance.  Judge In. graham I hardly feel at liberty to discharge you yet. This case has lasted nearly three weeks, anti it would not be proper to let you go without giving this case further consideration.  Foreman: We are jcist essotly as we stood last night. Judge Ingraham : I don't want to know how you stood. You must again retire, and if you agree you can communicate with me through the officers.  The jury then retired and Stokes, who received the congratulations of his friends, was removed. Throughout the entire day the c met-house was surrounded by the crowd waiting in expectation of an agreement among the jurors. Toward evening their anxiety appeared to abate, as it became evident that there was no penalbility of an agreement being arrived at. The jney continued together throughout the night, but were eventually discharged without having returned a verdict.  Seven of the jurors wore in favour of a verdict of wilful murder and five of manslaughter. The trial, which has thus resulted in nothing, continued 22 days, and was watched with deep intermit. Stokes, after being congratulated by his connsel, was remanded to gaol to await a second trial. It will be extremely difficult to get a jury in New York for thin second trial who "have no opinion," as the law requires, and there are consequently proposale to change the venue to another oonnty. The Press I comment very unfavourably upon this trial, and declare that it is no longer possible to secure adequate punishment for crime in New York. The Pick tragedy has ended in the Stokes fekce, they I say.