Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1916 — Will Orpet, University Youth, Cleared of Murder Charge. [ARTICLE]

Will Orpet, University Youth, Cleared of Murder Charge.

Will Orpet, the* University of Wisconsin youth who was charged with the murder of his sweetheart, Marion Lambert, was acquitted by the jury Saturday of the charge. The jury returned the verdict that set Orpet free 'after five hours’ deliberation. Three ballots were taken, the first two standing 11 to 1 for acquittal, one juryman holding out for a prison sentence, but on the third ballot he gave in, bringing to an end one of the most sensational murder trials ever held. Orpet, who had borne up remarkably well throughout the strenuous past five months, broke down following the reading of the verdict. Orpet has several times in the past week stated that he would be freed Saturday night, and was not surprised when the verdict was read. Following the reading of the verdict hundreds of people dashed forward to grasp him by the hand, but Orpet fought his way through the crow’d to the judge and shook hands with him and as many of the jurymen as he could reach. With his mother, Orpet left the court house hurriedly and dasher to an automobile which was waiting to carry them away. Neither Orpet’s father or Frank Lambert, father of the murdered girl, were present when the verdict was read.