Newton, N.C., Feb. 8 (AP)—Wade V. Bowman stepped from the court house here at 6:30 o’clock this afternoon, nearly a free man. He was found guilty of assault on a female, and Judge James L. Webb released him until Monday morning on a $5,000 bond.
Though there was pathos connected with the return of the verdict, the only tears in evidence were those of the mother of the young prosecutrix. Major Bowman sat tense while the jury prepared the verdict, but after his fate was made known, he clasped the hand of W.C. Feimster, one of his lawyers, and turned toward Judge Webb. There was no sign of emotion from defendant or from the 100 or so spectators in the court room.
Judge Webb commended the jury saying that the verdict was a just one, and that he would have set aside any higher one found. The judge was called from his supper to hear that the jury had reached a decision. None of the state’s attorneys were present when the verdict was read. The parents of the young girl, the entire defense staff, with the defendant and members of his family, sat on opposite sides of the court room.
Bowman quickly arranged bond and was permitted to leave for his home for the final night in nearly three months he has spent outside the county jail. The verdict had been anticipated, and there were expressions of satisfaction heard from the spectators. Judge Webb is expected to pronounce sentence the early part of next week.
From the front page of The Goldsboro News, Sunday morning, February 7, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1926-02-07/ed-1/seq-1/
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