MURDER CHARGE FAILS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16768, 29 June 1925, Page 7

MURDER CHARGE FAILS.

GESTICULATING CROWD IN COURT.

(Australian and N Z, Cable Association

NEW YORK, June 28,

Shepherd has been acquitted at Chicago on a charge of murdering his foster son, William McClintock, and the charge of murdering ATcClintoek’s mother has boon withdrawn, Shepherd has been, set free.

All the evidence during the trial, which lasted six weeks, was only circumstantial, and the prosecution admitted that the testimony of its chief! witness, Fainiiaii, was unreliable. During the deliberations lasting five and a half hours, only one juror favored' the minimum. murder punishment. • The others advocated acquittal.

Nino cousins of McCliutock will contest the bestowal of the million dollars estate on Shepherd,- alleging that he used undue influence in the. preparation of the will, which was drawn up by Shepherd. At the trial, Miss Isabel Pope, McClintock’s fiancee, testified that Shepherd delayed the marriage ceremony for fear of losing the settlement. She admitted that McClintock’s cousins agreed to split the benefits if the will were broken. When the verdict was announced the Court became a bedlam of congratulations to Shepherd, ami flashlights boomed over the gesticulating and shouting crowd.