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. - . FD-350 (4-3-62) 7-5 Impasse {ts Reported -With Most Jurors For Acquittal By EDWARD P. MOORE JR. Soccial to The Commercia! Appeal JACKSON, Miss., Feb. 7. — . Judge Leon F. Hendrick sol- &- emnly declared the spectacu- © ~ ‘Jar Beckwith murder trial a mistrial at 11:30 Friday morn- ing after 12 white jurors indi- vidually advised the judge they were “hopelessly deadlocked” in reaching a verdict after 11 hours of deliberation. United Press International quoted a “‘reliable source” saying the jury was split 73 2 for acquittal. They reportedly had taken 20 ballots during discussions |. ~ . Since 1:05 Thursday afternoon - jn the small jury room before a table littered with photo-« graphs, documents, statements and a_ 30-06 Enfield rifle : equipped with a six-power tele- scopic sight. The state argued Byron De ; La Beckwith used that weapon : to kill Medgar Evers, Missis- sippi field secretary for the ' National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peo- ple, from ambush gn June 12,. 1963. Beckwith has consistent- ly maintained his innocence. Beare... a cate stecenre cs: " a (Mount Clipping in Space Below) Gium Beckwit Faces New Tf After Deadlock 1) Ballots Fail , * 2. 5 oe 4 AP Wirep"bto Weary Juror Heads Hom “Gentlemen, I assume jou sull have not reached a Ver- dict,” the judge said to 12 ob- con ree .o sere 8 2 ie “Jf there were any chance for you to .pet together in a reasonable time,” he told the jury, “I know you would tell me so. I declare a mistrial in this case; that is <I can do. The defendant will be re- manded to the custody of the sheriff.” He dismissed the 12 mei who hurriedly packed their suitcases and left the Hinds! County Courthouse where they had been secluded since Jan. 30. They were forbidden by the judge to discuss their vote im- passe. Beckwith appeared drained by the trial. He sat glum and motionless. Mrs. Beckwith, leaving the courthouse, also was disap- pointed. “I planned to take him home tonight,” she sjid. Arked if she would again Ye a diy spectator at the re-trial, st said emphatically: | “Yes, sir. I’m just like he is; I’m an arch-segregation- ist.”” Mrs. Evers, widow of the Slain integration leader, said she had prepared a statement in the event a decisive verdict was reached, but the mistrial caught her off guard. “I don't think I should have anything to say unless the person is found guilty or not guiity.” There’ was no visible reac- tion from the still courtroom where more than 200 had jwaited to hear the verdict. Within minutes, both defense and prosecution attorneys be- gan the task of preparing for viously weary jurors _who,a re-trial. walked into the courtroom putting on coats and adjusting ties. They nodded in agree- Defense Attorney Hardy Lott said following a conference ment. The judge then polied|with the judge that the case each man to learn whether he|will be set for call on March: believed additional delibera-)23. Date of the re-tria) will tions could produce a verdict. scheduled at ‘that, time “Your honor,” replied Fred: Judge Hendrick.* Plummer, “I do not. We have| Mr, Lott said the matter. tried diligently. We could stay!bond for Beckwith, who h here a week and never reach a verdict.” The remaining 11 answered <cinzitarly as J udge! been in jail without bond sin June 23, was not discussed the conference in the judgt Hendrick repeated the ques- office. He added he expect tion. to file a ‘motion for a bo hearing “very promptly.” But Dist. Atty. William Wi Jor, the trial’s 37-ycar-c¢ prosecutor, snid he would ¢ naca! Daal jthta antanna Oe 3 [Submitting Ottice: Memphis (indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) A Page | TUS COMDIER APPEAL ERCTAL Memphis, Tenn. 2/8/64 Yinal nk RJ Ahlor Date: Edition: Author: Editor: FP2) Title: Character: or Classification: