Iowa
Old Press
Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette
Cedar Rapids, Linn co. Iowa
February 1, 1921
MRS. OXBERGER IS ACQUITTED OF MURDER
Sioux City, Feb. 1.--Mrs. Martha Oxberger broke down and
sobbed when the verdict of the jury exonerating her of the murder
of Mrs. Ella Nicolls, November 21, 1920, was read by Judge
Jepson.
After Mrs. Oxberger was able to control herself she thanked the
jury “from the bottom of her heart” for the verdict of
acquittal and said she would conduct herself so that the jurors
would believe they had not misplaced confidence in her. George
Yeoman, her attorney, also thanked the jury and shook hands with
them.
After the verdict had been announced, Judge George Jepson signed
an order for Mrs. Oxberger’s release from the county jail,
where she has been confined since the shooting. She was held to
the grand jury without bail. Mrs. Oxberger returned to her home
at 920 Grand street, after thanking the deputy sheriffs for the
“kindnesses” they had shown her.
The jury in the case was composed of four women and eight men.
They reported their verdict after nine hours of deliberation.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2015]
Iowa
Linn County