Charlotte, July 21 (AP)—With a fixed gaze and no sign of emotion, Nellie Freeman today walked from the Mecklenburg County courtroom, acquitted of a charge of murder in connection with the slaying of her husband.
The crowd that heard the verdict “not guilty” in the hushed silence of the court room made no demonstration. Yet as she walked down from the aisle with a set face that appeared wearied by the several days of trial, many of the spectators put forward their hand in sympathy.
Thirty minutes after she had been freed, the 20-year-old admitted razor slayer was in her mother’s embrace.
“I am through with men forever,” she said.
Talking to reporters, she added she had no plans for the future but that she would “care for no other” as long as she lives.
Mrs. Freman, who admitted that she killed her husband on the night of May 22, maintained that her action came when he threatened to desert her. Alienists testified that the girl was “mentally unsound.”
Crowds jammed the street as the girl came form the court room. With her attorneys she went to the offices of Jake F. Newell, chief counsel. Scores forced their way to them as they slowly made their way to the lawyer’s office, many shaking hands.
When they came to Mr. Newell’s office the crowd surged in. A number of men took crumpled currency from their pockets and forced it into the girl’s hand. For two hours the telephone in the lawyer’s office jangled news of congratulations from every section of the city.
Before she left the court room, however, Mrs. Freeman went over to the bench and clasped Judge Michael Schenck’s hand. She then hastily turned and left the room. She was clad in a simple white dress which matched her pale skin.
He added that the agreement came when one of the jurors arose during the morning and quoted: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The three jurors who had held out on manslaughter then gave in, Mr. Smith said.
From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Wednesday, July 21, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-07-21/ed-1/seq-1/
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