- The Verdict - Page 216

percent.  The evidence is zero when you consider the credibility of Edward White and Felton Thomas and compare it to the known facts."

Eagan spoke briefly again after Hadley had finished.  He attacked the testimony of J.D. and Madelyn Nolan: "There is no evidence at all that the black man seen trying to use the telephone after the Kentucky Fried Chicken was closed was Edward Williams. Edward Williams was there earlier.  The place was open when he was there.  There were other customers there.  That's when he met the friend that took him to his next place, ultimately to Mary Stewart's."

Speaking of Mays, he said: "This was a deliberate planned act on this part of this man over here to lure that poor black man in there and kill him dead and make a murderer and a robber out of him."

He closed by repeating the dialogue that was supposed to have taken place between Williams and Zeigler in the rear compound: "Edward, I didn't know it was you.'  'Mr. Tommy, you knew it was me.  You knew it was me.'  'No, Edward, I didn't know it was you.'

"Perry and Virginia Edwards are entitled to justice at your hands," Eagan said..  "Charles Mays is entitled to have his good name cleared at your hands and this man deserves nothing more than your verdict of guilty because he has committed four of the most horrendous murders, the basest and foulest of murders you will ever hear of.

"For the State of Florida I ask you, don't turn your back on those men [Williams and Thomas] and their sworn, testimony.  Don't reject that evidence.  Consider it, weigh it carefully, yes, but find it, as I am sure you will, to be convincing...and that guilt is the only true verdict that can be rendered on the evidence in this case.  Thank you."

*

The jury began deliberations at 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon, having missed lunch to hear the closing arguments.  During the next five hours, jurors requested the scale model of the store and a magnifying glass—apparently they were scrutinizing the controversial footprint.

In a largely circumstantial case, a verdict within the first few hours would almost certainly have meant an acquittal.  But there was not verdict on Wednesday.  Around 7:00 P.M., the foreman requested to retire, and Judge Paul recessed until the morning.

"At least they're thinking about it," Hadley told a reporter. "They're being very conscientious."

Maybe no jury deliberations can be called routine.  These, however, were extraordinary.  The first indication that something unusual was happening came