Bloomington (Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana) Telephone, November 17, 1896, p. 1. William Spaulding "not Guilty" William Spaulding, the well known old colored man, has been acquitted of the murder of David White on the grounds of self defense. The case was first tried Monday and Tuesday, but as the jury could not agree, Judge Giles discharged it and ordered another trial at once. The case was called up a second time Thursday morning and by 6:30 a verdict of acquittal for Spaulding was a part of the record of the court. The evidence was much the same as already outlined, and the instructions of the court were read about 4:30. The jury retired to their room, appointed W. B. Baker foreman, and in 2 hours had a verdict of "not guilty" ready. The defense was strictly confined to a self defense, showing that White had gone to Spaulding's house, called him out and cut him with a knife. Then Spaulding attacked White, cutting his throat, resulting in death. The jury voted unanimous for acquittal on the first ballot.