The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-04-21
tru. OUR SPECIAL REPoRrKR.l
TRIAL FOR MURDER.
JUDGE LUCAS P. THOMPSON. pre.;a;r..
FIFTH DAY.

ted that he had this morning sta
sured the ground OF the rencontre, in ano mes
Sns oi sIe ~resses to the third pool blood Mr
the engine house to the pool Of blood whsrn .vm ,s
parties were seen on the ground near McCleji. ae
walk east side o the street, to be 80 feet and thss
would pass feet inches from the spot pointed o,s
by Campbell. as that where he saw the third noaI
Witness could not see how 1t was possible for such
pool as that described to have been at the point
Indicated and to have escaped his attention The
witnesses to it had generally stated it to have been
AZ onspicuous az any of the pools. He could not
it. r''
Question by the prosecution.-C Could not fix posi-.
lively the outline of his range of examination along
tne supposed line OF the fight but supposed it went
Campbell, as that where the third pool was. He
had, however, looked with more or less care over
the whole ground 80
DIR. JUNKrN called and testified concerning the
wounds OF the deceased, and the blood on the
ground On the day after the murder he examined
the ground in company with Mr. Massie, Colonel
Smith and Maj Preston. He found only the two
pools OF blood and that the hay scales where the
body was lifted up out of the street and laid His
examination was prompted by desire to see where
the conflict had taken place, and where the death
nad occurred. He was directed by Massie in the
line ofthe combat He described the blood.
The Wltness.-Was present at the coroner's in.
quest, aud examined the wounds critically, having
the purpose He investigated the wounds as they
were laid open, closely-dffered with most persons
on the course of that in the back-thought it was
struck by an arm which was closely pressed
down by an arm of the deceased, and while the
knife was SO much in line with the back that it was
against the process of the scapula.
After this examination, and hearing the testi.
mony, ne formed theory of his own and went
down to examine the ground on Tuesday to see if
the facts arranged in his own mind chronolopicaIly
could be sustained. He examined verv minutelv.
went up and down and around about, STOPPING, and
closely upon the ground, and saw no blood, except
that he had previously described, until he came to
the middle OF the street. at point where he had on
his nrst examination, observed more tracking than
elsewhere Here he discovered, for the first time.
In line from the gate behind the church to the
pool near the side of the street. and about the mid
die OF the street. few spotches of blood not more
than spoonful This location of blood had been
pointed out by no previous witness The witness
stated that this discovery maintained his theory he
did not say what that was. He had this morning
visited the ground, and saw the point indicated by
Campbeil as that where he saw the third pool. The
splotches discovered this second visit by the Doc
tor, were five feet distant from that point Does
not think it possible that he could have overlooked
Campbelfs pool it, he and others testify, it was
as distintly marked either of the two large ones
He could have seen it so feet distant
By the ProsecatiOn-True, that most of the re-
markable errors in morals and physics have re-
suited flom the formation of theories first and
then suiting the facts to them but he had Ger.
talniy In part obtained the facts before he formed
his theory about the fight.
DIR. JORDAN called. He explained part of his
testimony with regard to the cuts in the coat of de-
ceased. They were possibly not all made at the
time wounds were inflicted, and some might have
been made while the parties were standing up He
further stated that he had reviewed the ground
critically, and had seen but two pools-one of
them, indeed, was not pool; it was stain, with.
out coagulum, spread over long surface. This
was the blood near the side walk where the parties
were seen lying on the ground. Thinks he could
hardly have failed to detect other stains had thew
been on the ground.
DIR. A. q. DAVIDSON called He also testified to
having viewed the ground Was there at night
when the stick was found A comnanv had liSht
looking about. Heard them saw thew found the
stick near the scales. He stood on the scales and
observed as they moved along. If there was such
stain as that described as the third pool he
thought it strange indeed that he did not seeit Cho
king would produce great uneasiness and sppre-
hension, and the feeling of impending suffocation
would be greatly increased by the weight of a
man on the breast, and after struggle.
BY the Pros6cati0n--Could not tIocate the place
where the stick was found.
THOMAS L. PERRY-The TAILOR called. Hetesti
fed as to Christians splitting of blood, and to
scratches being on his neck lust under the left
jaw, and there being general rei ss Of the neck
but no bruises. Christian complained very much
of his neck
Col. SMITH was permitted to make a statement
which he had not done when formerly on the stand
as he was then questioned upon particular matters
Upon meeting with Christian after the tragedy, in
jail, he &C. stepped forward and shook him by the
hand. He knew the relation he Col 81 bore to the
deceased and he remarked that it was bad affair,
and added: 81 had rather it had been me that died
than Blackburn" 1t was due to the prisoner that
he should make the statement
MIR. DAVIS, member of the law class, testified to
the condition of Christians throat when he saw
him In jail after the murder. There were impress
sions OF fingers on the left jaw two or more and
one on the right At the examining court they
seemed to have turned dark like bruises
Col. VIM DILLIARD, of Amherst, testified as to the
character ofthe prisoner. He had known him from
his birth had been visitor to his (Col D.s) house
his general character was good he was young man
OF warm heart, of integrity aud honor, aud good
standing generally
Col TERRY billiard gave similar testimony he
was warm hearted, generous, high minded Young
man never heard anything against him until this al
fair, and the rumors connected with it his family
associations were as good as any in the county Of
VIM. billiard.
SAMUEL WALKER gave testimony of the same pur-
port.
Dr. MEGGINsoN called-Was the family phvsi.
clan Of Mrs Christian, mother of the prisoner; his
ther died many years since Had known him since
'46 regarded him an exceedingly agreeable Young
man, whose habits tastes and associations were those
of a gentleman had never heard his reputation in
the neighbOrhood impeached; was exceedingly kind
and aectionate to his mother and three sisters who
compose the family his family associations were a.
good as any in the county.
The Defence here rested, stating that other wit
nesses had been summonsd from Amherst but not
having arrived, they would not delay the case.
The prosecston desired to introduce other testimo
ny in support OF the three pools but objection
made and sustained by the Judge the .ound that
the testimony that subject evidence in chief
and should have been all introduced at once. No
new evidence on the point could be admitted.
The prosecution had no other testimony to offer,
and the cause came on for argument The court took
q recess.
In the afternoon, the argument Of the case was
opened by MIR. DAVID Z. MOORE, Commonwealth
Attorney, on behalf of the Commonwealth The
courtroom wss crowded, and he was sttentvely lis
tened to. A sketch of the main points made BY him
ID postponed until tomorrow.
He would be followed by two of the counse for
the detence-after whom Mr.. NICHE, of Stsunton,
would speak for the prosecution. He would be fol-
lowed by the two other counsel for the defence and
Mr.. MOORE would conclude.
There have been good many errors in the reports
ofthis case. printed in the Dispatch, especially in
some names. Mr. s. HousFoN LETcHER was print.
ed s. Leteher Houston. Most Of the errors could be
corrected by the reader. In the testimony Of the
Doctors, some technical phrases sustained compound