Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-04-02
The TR1AE OF LEE FOR MURDER AT WASH

1NGToN.-The case of Dodridge q: Lee, for
the murder of David Hume, a respectable
citizen of Alexandria, Va. by shooting him
short time since in the Patent Office at
Washington, which had been on trial during
four days in the criminal court at Washing
ton, was given to the jury late on Saturday
afternoon, who, after being on all night and
until II o'clock Sunday morning, rendered
verdict of not guilty. The correspondent
of the Sun gives the following interesting
account of the closing proceedings of the
trial:
The trial of COL Lee for the murder of
Mr.. Hume, kept the court in session up to-
9 o'clock last Saturday night The Dis
trict Attorney (Mr. Key had prayed GER
tain instructions to the jury, which were
refused by. the court. Mr.. Davidge, of
Counsel for the defence, then prayed and
obtained certain other instructions to the iu-
ry, to the effect that if the prisoner was as
sailed by blows from which he could not
safely escape by retreat, not having COM
mitted any previous personal violence him.
self, then he is excusable upon the ground
of self-defence also that if the jury en-
terrain reasonable doubts, they must give
the benefit to the prisoner. Mr.. Key spoke
for an hour in reviewing the evidence. He
urged that had Lee really believed the charge
he made against Hume of picking his pocket
at the Presidents house, he would never
exchanged cards with him, and the next
morning instead of arming himself to meet
Hume, he would have had him arrested as
a pickpocket; and that he persisted in the
charge, knowing that he was mistaken, be-
cause his malice would not allow him to do
Hume justice. He did not retreat from the
blows of Hume, but to give him an oppor-
tunity to get out a deadly weapon.
Mr.. K. was followed by Mr.. Chiffon and
Mr.. Davidge for defence. The latter con-
tended that Lee had no reason to expect a
visit from Hume the next morning, he Uee)
being the injured party, after having been
slapped two or three times in the face at tie
levee by Hume in the presence of the ladies
he had taken there; that Lee did not male
the proposition to exchange cards, but did
so at the suggestion of Major Lally; and th.t
Lee doubtless viewed the card given as
mere trick. He drew a picture Of the df-
ferent appearance presented by Hume aid
Lee personally, the one perfect man, some
six feet two inches in height, and developed
proportionably, and the other weakly man,
ffty-fve years of age, and argued that LIE,
seeing stick of that size in the hands ofan
infatuated giant like Hume, had reason to
believe himself in danger.
At half past 8 P. M. Mr.. Bradley con-
menced the closing argument for the proc
cution, contending that in regard to the age
and feebleness of Lee he was but one var
older than himself. bradley, and h. ~
means considered himself an old man tat
Lee could not have considered himself in
deadly peril; that had he thrown up hislrm
or closed in with Hume no harm could lave
been done; and that he retreated to Gaw
his adversary on, &c.
Mr.. B. having concluded, the court ad-
journed for one hour, till half-past 5 O'Clock,
when the case was given to the jury. The
court then sat till ten minutes to 9, aid ad
journed to meet at 10 o'clock this Sunday
morning. At half-past 10 this morning the
jury came down and asked for repetition of
instruction, which Judge Crawford gave,
when they retired, and at half-past eleven
o'clock came down with verdict of not
guilty.