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Jury AcquitsC. 0. PickettAfter 2 HoursThe four dav murder trial ofClarence O. Pickett, 42, ended at7:27 p.m. Thursday with the simple but exonerating words, “not Iguilty*’ stated by Tipton Circuit j judge, Oliver Wh atley. The clearing words brought screams of relief and joyful cries from the gathered family and friends of Pickett. The 1110' deliberated less than two hours in reaching the not guiltydecision.After rrceivin.g instructions thehiry retired at 4:30 p.m. They balloted until dinnertime and spentan hour a wav from the courtrooms*b fore returning to reach the finalif,ncision. Jury foreman Phillip Marin presented the final vote toJudge Wheatley and the accused«Pickett rose to face his fate stoci-callv.The stoicism which had been followed bv Pickett throughout thetrial broke into a look of great relief and tears came unbidden tothe eves of the defendant. He wassurrounded immediately by a smallknot of overjoyed relatives and well wish rs.Pickett had faced charges of second degree murder in the shotgunslaying of Mrs. Margaret Smith ather home at 832 North Independence, last May. He was also w ounded in the affair and spent s veralmorths in Tipton and Indianapolishospitals.Orlookers credited the testimony of 7 year old Richard Dellf son of Mr. and Mrs. William Dell, 836North Independence, with castingthe needed shadow of doubt on thes'lying. The youngsters related a tale which eorrab;rated Pickett’sstory of two men entering the jSmith house and w ielding the shotgun on the fatal morning.The 42 year old Pickett toldreporters that he ‘‘thanked God forthis decision and thanked th? juryand lawyers for giving him a fair trial.” He was reunited with hiswife and five children ranging inage from 4 to 15. The couple, whonow live in Tipton, planned to “gohome to stay and try to forget,” i j according to Pickett.
Newspaper Details
Tipton Daily Tribune
Tipton, Indiana, US
Fri, Mar 06, 1959
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Tipton C.
Indiana, USA 17 Nov 2021
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