Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1891 — THE ASYLUM MURDER. [ARTICLE]

THE ASYLUM MURDER.

James Woods Found Guilty and Sentenced to Twenty-one Year* The jury in the case of James A. Woods charged with the murder of Thomas J Blunt at Richmond, at the Eastern Indian * insane asylum, returned a verdict Friday night, finding the defendent guilty of voluntary manslaughter and fixing his penalty at imprisonment in the penitentiary for twenty-one years. The jury was out just three hours, Judge Comstock having concluded bis charge. The defendant heard the verdict without changing countenance, but, as the bailiff led him fiom the court room, it was evident to all observers that it was with the greatest effort that he bore up under the burden of his emotions. During theentir e day the court room and all halls leading thereto were packed as they have never been before in the history of the county and hundreds who desired to hear the closing arguments were compelled to turn ' away, being unable to gain admittance to even the building. Many ladies were in the court room. Of the scenes in the jury room.the number of ballots taken and their several results, nothing is known. The usual motion for anew trial will at once be made by Wood’s attorneys. The verdict is a surprise to every one, th® generally accepted opinion having been that the sentence would vary from two to five years, while one or two bets were offered on the street that it would not be for less than to* years, but no one wn* willing to aeoept them.