The Buffalo Voice

Mrs. Montine Set Free.
Jury Acquits Washington Woman
Murder Charge.

Washington, Dec. 16.—The jury in the case of Mrs. Lola Vita Montine, charged with the murder of James Seymour Ayres in the Kenmore hotel in this city, on the night of May 12, last night returned a verdict of not guilty and the defendant was set at liberty. Such a conclusion of the trial was generally expected, the general impression here being that from the evidence submitted the prosecution had failed to prove its case against Mrs. Montine. The jury was out less than five hours. The attendance in the court room when the jury returned was limited to members of the bar, representatives of the press and employees of the court. There was some little attempt at a demonstration of approval, but this was quickly suppressed by Judge Anderson, who had previously warned the spectators against manifestations of any character. Mrs. Montine was in court at the time, and with her were her husband and her two boys and several of her relatives, all of whom have shown their sympathy for her by their constant attendance during the long trial. The jury were discharged and Mrs. Montine and her friends left the court house by a back door.