FREE MAN AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 278, 19 August 1932, Page 11

FREE MAN AGAIN

Lancaster Acquitted MIAMI MURDER TRIAL Courtroom Demonstration WOMEN SHRIEK IN DELIGHT (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Rcc. August 18, 7.20 p.m.) Miami, August 17. A verdict freeing Captain W. N. Lancaster from the charge of murdering the airman, Haden Clarke precipitated in the courtroom this afternoon a demonstration that threatened to go beyond the control of the bailiffs. Fashionably gowned women shrieked in delight, and near-pande-monium followed, witli bailiffs, deputies, sheriffs, and police vainly striving to control the crowd that surged toward the freed man in an effort to grasp his hand. One portly matron, an interested front-row spectator since the start of the trial, moaned aloud and sank back in her chair gasping with delight. She did not know Captain Lancaster. In the midst of the uproar a deathlike stillness descended as Captain Lancaster, nervously clasping and unclasping his hands, stepped before the jurors in their box. “Gentlemen,” he said. “You have been very patient with my case. You had to listen during the long trial to many things. I want to give you my heartfelt thanks for exonerating me.” He bowed, briskly stepped away, and tried to resume the chair he had

occupied since he went on trial, but was prevented by a renewed mad eurge of spectators. "I am delighted at my acquittal,” he said to newspaper men as they attempted to talk to him above the roar of the crowd. Mrs. Keith Miller was absent when the verdict was read, but quickly heard it in an adjoining office. “I’m delighted, I knew old Bill would come through,” glje cried, A few minutes later Captain Lancaster made his way to the Press table and dictated a statement. “My immediate plans are to go home to Carson to rest for a few days. After that- my first desire is to find a job,” he said. “Do your present plans include Mrs. Miller?” he was asked. “Please don’t ask me to answer that now. I don’t know what my answer would be,” he replied. The. case went to the jury this morning on the completion of arguments for the prosecution. Judge Atkinson told the jury that to find Lancaster guilty as the result of circumstantial evidence they must find the circumstances inconsistent with Innocence. The jury deliberated for five hours before bringing in their verdict of acquittal.