Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 145, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1913 — JUDGE AND JURY IN CLASH [ARTICLE]

JUDGE AND JURY IN CLASH

Jurist Orders Verdict of Acquittal, but Jurors Are Obdurate, and Refuse to Sign. Memphis, Tenn-—Judge , and jury clashed in the second division of the criminal court here, and as a result, a verdict acquitting a man of a murder charge was made a part of the court’s record without the signature of the jurors. C. E. Murrell, railroad fireman, was charged with having murdered Moss Todd. Presiding Judge Palmer ruled that the evidence showed self-defense, and directed a verdict of not guilty. After c’/nsultation with members of the juiy. Foreman Cooney refused to write z ne verdict Judge Palmer explain/1 that he could permit no other verdict to stand, in view of the testimony. *You have a right to your opinion,” vitorted Cooney, still obdurate, "but 19U are not the keeper of 'my 4 insolence.” Finally, however, the verdict was vrritten, but the jurors carried their point to the extent of not affixing their signatures.