GREAT MURDER TRIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 30

GREAT MURDER TRIAL

ASSASSINATION OF STEUNENBER'G. THE CHARGE AGAINST HAYWOOD. A VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL. NEW YORK, July 29. William D. Haywood has been acquitted on the charge of murdering exGovernor Steunenberg. The jury deliberated for 21 hours. In the first ballot eight jurors supported the acquittal of the accused and four favoured a verdict involving some degree of murder, but the minority was won. over during the night. Haywood, on leaving the dock, thanked each juryman. No demonstration "was made. It is understood that the cases against Mover and Pettibone will be abandoned. LONDON, Jury 23. The New York correspondent of The Times says that doubtless Orchard will be tried and made to pay the penalty of his crimes. The correspondent adds that Haywood's exoneration implies the exoneration of the entire inner circle of the Western Miners' Federation. The verdict came as a complete surprise, equally to the public and to the newspaper correspondents at Denver, who declare that disagreement was the utmost that Haywood's friends expected. This case, which has created world-wide interest, has been one of the most sensational in the history of criminal charges. Haywood was charged with the murder of ex-Governor Steucenberg on December 30, 1905. The work of empannelling the jury occupied the court from May 9 until June 4, and 'when completed the jury consisted of seven farmers, two active ranchers, one retired rancher, and one carpenter. C F. Wayne, the first -witness called for the prosecution, spoke to having witnessed the blowing up of ex-Governor Steunenberg, Mr Wayne stated that he resided next door to the Governor's house, and had just gonj into his own house when the explosion occurred. Rushing out, he saw the results caused by the explosion. Mr Steunenberg's body was frightfully mangled, both his legs were broken, and his clothing was torn off from the waist downwards. Mr Steunenberg expired within half an hour. The most remarkable evidence was that given by Harry Orchard, who testified to his movements as a. hired assassin of the " inner circle " of the Western Miners' Federation, and of the efforts which he and his fellow-conspirators had made to kill by bombs or by snooting various public men who were supposed to have thwarted Judge Gabbers, Governor Peabody General Sherman Bell, and Judge Goddard. He also gave, particulars of the sums he received for undertaking- these attempts. The witness concluded by describing in detail how the murder of ex-Governor Steunenberg' was carried out. Orchard stated thai he and Jack Simpkins first decided to kill Governor Steunenberg with a bomb, and planter one at the Governor's gate ; but it failed to explode. They concluded that it would be better to shoot the Governor. Without the slightest show of emotion, witness told the. court how he waited for his intended victim outside Mr Steunenberg's house on Christmas night and actually heard him coming, but had some difficulty in getting the gun into position. It was a sawed-off gun, which he could .easily oarry under his coat. He told of another futile attempt to plant a bomb during the holiday week, but Mr Steunenberg returned home and passed into the house before their task was completed. "The next time I saw the Governor, continued Orchard, "he was sitting m the Saratoga Hotel. I went up to my room and got the bomb, hurried out to Mr Steunenberg's houae, and planted the bomb by the gate. I then hurried back to the hotel, and whon about two blocks away I met Mr Steunenberg on his way home. I ran as fast as I could towards the hotel, but had not reached it when the explosion occurred."