The Providence News

AUSTIN GUILTY

The Jury Took an Hour in Its Deliberation.

Defendant Unmoved When Verdict Was Announced.

Suit Against the City of Woonsocket for $10,000 Damages.

The last criminal trial until after vacation was that of the State vs. Henry A. Austin. The charge to the jury was given by Judge Wilbur this morning. The case created considerable interest, chiefly because of the dispute over the age of the party with whom the defendant was accused of having committed improper acts. The charge of his honor was a careful review of the testimony in the matter of age, his honor dwelling on the fact that parents generally remembered pretty accurately the ages of their children and also the fact that one of the first things taught the young is their ages. The jury was out one hour and then returned with a verdict of guilty. The prisoner was as unconcerned at the announcement as if he was in no way interested in the case. Judge Wilbur informed Mr. Pierce, of counsel for the defendant, that owing to the verdict of the jury and the gravity of the offence he deemed it necessary to increase the amount of bail from $2500 to $5000. Austin was not ready to furnish this amount and he was taken in charge by Deputy Sheriff Barrows. Mr. Byrne, one of his counsel, announced that bail would probably be furnished so Judge Wilbur directed that Austin be kept at the county court house until tomorrow morning in order that he might be spared the expense of an unnecessary trip to jail. The penalty for the offence of which Austin was today found guilty is not more than 15 years in State prison. It is the present intention of his counsel to move for a new trial and to lay the foundation for this a number of exceptions were taken to the judge's rulings during the trial yesterday.