Dispatch, March 21, 1889

The House-Burning Case.

Moral -- VandalismWeather -- Northeast stormsSea -- Finfish - Methods : Pound-net

Jury Unable to Agree -- Discharged -- Damaging Storm -- Death.

[Special telegram to the Dispatch.]

Eastville, VA., March 20. -- The jury in the case of J. J. Bunting, on trial as an accessory before the fact for house-burning, the particulars of which have already been published in these columns, came into court at a late hour this evening after having been out since yesterday and reported that they could not agree and that there is no possibility of an agreement. They were then discharged by the Court, and the case continued until the April term. The jury stood six for acquittal on the ground of temporary insanity and six for conviction. Early in the morning Judge Neale delivered some strong language to them, stating that it was their duty to try and compromise their different opinions and to reach a verdict; that a verdict must be rendered by some jury, and that they were as competent to do so as any jury which might be empanelled, but his remarks had no effect, as they stood last night the same as when discharged. There is also a difference of opinion as regards Bunting's sanity at the time among those who were spectators at the trial. Bunting seems much believed since the trial, as he says he now has great hopes of being acquitted on the next trial. He was very despondent after the conviction of Roane, the principal in the crime.

The worst storm of the season in this section has been raging since last night. Much damage has been done to fish-pounds and nets, and in some instances they have been entirely destroyed.

The wind is blowing at the rate of sixty miles per hour. It has been impossible for the Norfolk and Cape Charles steamer to cross the bay since yesterday.

Dispatch
Richmond
March 21, 1889