Acquittal for a North Second Street Shopkeeper

John Carmichael, accused of a criminal assault upon a young girl, Delia Defoe, on January 2, 1893, occupied the attention of the criminal department of the superior court yesterday, and the trial resulted in the acquittal of the prisoner. The victim, who is about 15, is a petite blonde and had to be carried into the courtroom to tell her story. Carmichael, who kept a ham and egg stand on North Second Street, was nothing but prepossessing in appearance. He appeared a shrewd, calculating man. The testimony for the state was to the effect that the witness, Delia Defoe, was a schoolgirl who had been living near the corner of Sixth and Pike, taking care of children. She testified that upon the night in question, she was in the house and that the prisoner entered the house and attempted to take liberties with her person. She screamed and resisted until she was exhausted, and he finally desisted and went out. For the defense, it was argued that Carmichael was in the habit of getting milk from neighboring houses and, finding no one at home that evening, he came into the house where Delia was. He admitted he kissed her and that she resisted in a playful manner, but he denied any criminal intent. After being out of the room less than fifteen minutes, the jury returned a verdict for the defendant.