Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 228, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1915 — JURY FREES WARD IN MURDER CASE [ARTICLE]

JURY FREES WARD IN MURDER CASE

Evidence Introduced Is Circumstantial—Defendant Expresses Intention to Reform Living.

Robert Ward, who was arrested on August 6, near Oxford by the sheriff of Benton county, on a charge of murder returned against him by a White county grand jury, was acquitted of the charge in the White county circuit court at Monticello Friday. The jury was out fifty minutes and two ballots were taken. Ward Was accused of the murder of his wife, who died on February 13, last, after being terribly burned. It was found that her clothing was saturated with coal oil. Her death occurred at their home near Norway, and Ward’s hands were badly burned in trying to extinguish the flames. Ward contended that his wife committed suicide, and most of the evidence introduced by the state was circumstantial. His wife’s parents were the strongest witnesses for the state, and it developed that an enmity had existed 'between them Mid Ward for some time. ,After hearing the verdict of the jury, Ward made a speech in which he thanked them, and said that he intended leading a 'better life.