Rose’s trial was held early in January. In many cases, it took far longer for a trial to begin, but Gregory Hill, Deborah’s father, had called in a favor or two with local authorities, and had gotten Rose’s trial moved up.
Rose was surprised at how supportive both the Hills and the Hutchisons had been. She knew that she was guilty, even though she hadn’t meant to do what she had done, but she never mentioned that after her lawyer had advised her not to. Deborah had already heard Rose’s complaints about her obnoxious fellow actress, and was convinced that if Rose had indeed killed Marietta, there was a reason for it. Will was more reserved, but he, too, was supportive of Rose. Gregory Hill had said nothing about it, at least not to Rose, and Belinda Hill simply could not believe that Rose was capable of such a thing.
Several members of the Shakespeare troupe who had known Rose the best were traced to their various vacation spots and recalled to San Francisco. Evelyn testified in Rose’s behalf, as did Richard, Ellen, and Harry Parsons. Few people had much good to say about Marietta. She had been best known for being obnoxious and manipulative, and the jury soon sympathized with Rose after hearing account after account of how disliked Marietta Scott had been by the other members of the troupe. Some questioned why she had been kept on, but after Harry alluded to a promise that had been made to Marietta’s mother years before, the questions stopped. Marietta had had no family, and few people had cared much for her. Even Richard, who had been carrying on an affair with her at the time of her death, had little positive to say about her.
Rose was on pins and needles the whole time. She was not permitted to testify in her own defense, and the jury, although sympathetic, looked down upon her for her morals. Rose’s lack of innocence, and her worldly mien, made some jurors suspicious. Such an immoral woman might well be guilty of murder.
Deborah sat next to Rose every day at the trial, showing her support. Evelyn shook her head and told Rose that she should have ignored Marietta, but few people were truly sorry to see Marietta gone. They would have preferred that she quit, or go to another company, but not many would miss her.
The jury deliberated for a day and half before coming to a verdict. Rose was on the edge of her seat, her lawyer on one side and Deborah on the other, when the verdict was read—not guilty. The self-defense plea had worked.
Rose had expected to feel elated if found not guilty, but instead all she felt was cold and empty inside. She had gotten away with killing another human being. Society would have no retribution on her, but she wondered if her own private guilt wasn’t a worse punishment than any the law could have given. She would have to live with the memory of what she had done for the rest of her life. Marietta would haunt her forever.
Rose went home with the Hutchisons the following day. They invited her to stay for a while, and Rose initially took them up on their invitation, but every place she went, everything she saw, reminded her of what had happened. Much as she appreciated the Hutchisons’ hospitality, she couldn’t stay.
Despite the fact that she had been acquitted, neither Mr. Parsons nor Ellen wanted her to come back. They were aware of the fact that Rose had killed Marietta, and that it had been an accident. They doubted that she would do it again, but the scandal would taint the company anywhere they went, and Rose was soon replaced by a local actress.
Rose worried about whether her actions had made the papers anywhere other than San Francisco. Her mother would be shocked and horrified if she knew what her daughter had done. Rose knew that it was doubtful that the killing had been announced in eastern newspapers, but she still worried that word had somehow gotten back to Ruth. She had thought about contacting her mother while she was traveling, so that Cal would be unable to trace her, but now her fear of what her mother might think of her gave her second thoughts about trying to reach her. What mother would want to acknowledge a daughter who was a murderess? Rose realized that her fears were irrational, but with her recent ordeal, they were enough to keep her away from any telegraph office, post office, or telephone.
After two weeks, Rose had had enough of San Francisco. She hated the constant reminders, the stares and whispers when she went out, and the persistent chill of the San Francisco winter. Already chilled inside from the memory of what she had done, she found the cool, foggy weather unbearable. She still had most of the money she had saved while acting with the company, and she could get quite a ways if she was careful with it.
On January 23, 1914, Rose packed her bags and said good-bye to Deborah and Will, and to the Hills. Deborah insisted upon slipping several days worth of food and twenty dollars into Rose’s bag. They drove to the train station in silence.
Rose still wasn’t sure where she was going, but as she looked at the various destinations posted, and the prices for getting there, she chose the place that she had found so delightful all those years before—New Orleans, Louisiana.
That afternoon, Rose boarded the train. She waved good-bye to Deborah as long as she could, then turned her face to the east. San Francisco, and her career as a Shakespearean actress, were in the past. Once again, she was leaving everything behind and starting over.