People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1893 — NOT GUILTY. [ARTICLE]

NOT GUILTY.

Th* Verdict of the Jury Acquits Mis* Llxxie Borden of the Charge of Murder I —Received with Cheers. New Bedford, Mass., June 2L—Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the charge of murder Tuesday afternoon. At the opening of court there were as many people in the room as at any time during the session. Miss Borden entered the room at 8:55. Ex-Gov. Robinson took a seat beside her and the two engaged in conversation until court opened at 9 o’clock. The jury waa polled and the district attorney concluded his argument. The chief justice then addressed Miss Borden by name, telling her that she now had a voice and could say to the jury what she choose to say. She arose, somewhat agitated, and said to the jury: “I am innocent, but I will leave my case in your hands and in the hands of my counsel.” Judge Dewey then charged the jury. At the conclusion of the charge, at 3:15* the attorneys consulted a few momenta. The jury was allowed to retire and counsel agreed upon what exhibits were to be put in the case, after they were brought in again, the oath administered by the clerk of the court and the jury took the case. It was .just 4:30 o’clock when the spectators, who had kept their seats patiently during the retirement of the jury, noticed a movement indicating their return. A moment later the twelve men filed into their seats and were polled. Miss Borden was asked to stand up, and the foreman was asked to return the verdict, which he announced: “Not guilty.” Then all the dignity and decorum ot the court room vanished. A cheer went up which might have been hear half a mile away through the open windows, and there watno attempt to check it. The stately justices lookedastraight ahead at the bare walls during the tremendous excitement, which lasted fully a minute. Miss Borden’s bead went down upon the rail in front of her and tears came where they had refused to come for many a long day as she heard Ahe sweetest words ever poured into her willing ears. Mr. Jennings was almost crying and his voice broke as be put his hand out to Mr. Adam? who sat next to him, and said: “Thank God,” while Mr. Adams returned the pressure of the hand and seemed incapable of speech. Gov. Robinson turned to the rapidly dissolving jury as they filed out of their seats and gleamed on them with a fatherly interest in his kindly eye and stood up as Mr. Knowlton and Mr. Moody came over to shake hands with the counsel for the defense. As soon as possible the room was cleared, although it was a hard task since everybody wanted to shake hands with Miss Borden. When the spectators had finally gone she was taken to the room of the justices and allowed to recover her composure with only the eyes of friends upon her and the caress of devoted admirers. At the expiration of an hour she was placed in a carriage and driven to the station, where she took the train for Fall River.