Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-17
THE TRIAL AND ACQUITTAL OF YOUNG BROWN
Low.
ABINGDON April 18th, 1860.


Low.
ABINGDON April 18th, 1860.
To the Editor of the Wig:
The trial ana acquittl of John B. Brownow con-
summated In fact and justice they were and are sy-
ponomous terms. The farther the progressed the
more apparent was that it approaching that con-
summation which his friends desired There has rarely
been trial in the State in which there much in
erest evinced by the public it progressed not that
false sympathy often the result of successful appeals
OF ingenious able and eloquent counsel but that no0ier
and better feeling heartfelt interest in the welfare Of
an unfortunate boy whose life and liberty were put in
jeopardy By sad and deploIable casualty. 1t was mani
test when the testimony through that John Is
Brognow never intended take the life of James W.
Reece. The prosecution was opened by b. +. Wysor,
Of Pulaski in able exposition OF the law OF the case
He was followed by Walter Preston for the defence, in
speech such he is accustomed to make, which even
yet tnges in my and plays upon my heart 1t was
beauty and pathos personied. Next came Mr.. Is. A.
Thornton OF Georgia, for the prosecution, esmable
aud amable gentleman; his effort creditabe TO him
He conteuded that if the defendant not guilty of
murder in the second degree, it was uuquestonably
mansaughter. Next came James w. Sheffey,of Smyth
lie opened in Prestous strain, and alter ndulgng IN 1t
for half hour he gracefully came down TO the hard
work Of the caseI say hard Of the case, because e
gal argument always seemingly the hardest labor that
LAWYER ever performs before jury, because he fears
that he may not make himself understood without an
amount OF elaboration and repetition, that Is often even
painful to himself. Having settled the law OF the case
evidently the satisfaction of the jury, be next handled
the facts with skill only equGed by the earnesiness Of
his appeal on behalf of the accused in his conclusion
The court then adjourned until half past eight this
ing When the room opened, there was gen.
eral rush for seats. Upon the announcement OF the
Court that the jnry ready Joseph T. Campbell, Esq.,
commenced his argument Tor the defence. Ia person.
lie is tall spare and handsome HIS argument was clear
and logical intersperced with strains OF eloquence that
would have done credit Henry in his palmest days
His conclusion grand, sublime, and almost inlmitable
Tie was followed by john a. Campbell who also appeared
for the defence His effort purely argumentahve
and as SUCH an absolute
Judge Bren, OF Nashville, concluded the defence in
witty humorous comic and pathetic speech.
Ii was now nearly five o'clock. The Judge suggested
to the Attorney Tor the Commonwealth, John H. Ernest,
that il would probably be best to adjourn until morning.
but the Attorney determined that he would conclude the
case at once and depart from the plan he had marked
out for himself He had intended, he said, TO make an
elaborate argument but in Of all the acs he would
cut short his conclusion as the had already
sumed so much time. He proceeded rapidly 10 review
the law OF the case and to comment upon the leading
points of the testimony. His conclusion was altogether
fair and generous the accused-and he fully maintain
ed the reputation he had one OF the abest prose-
cutors OF his age in the State.
Tina jury retired and in about five minutes retuned.a
verdict Not Guilty" which received with shouts OF
applause Order being restored his Honor reviewed the
case and announced that Juror he would have found
similar verdict. His comments and remarks were
omewhat lengthy and appropriate, and endorsed, be-
leve by every
have no acquaintance with VIM G. Brownow, the
father of the accused-but his conduct and bearing
throughout the trial were worthy of all commentator
His Honor took occasion express his appreciation and
endorsement alike of the conduct and bearing OF Mr.
Reece the father Of the deceased, and Mr. Brownlo"
the father of the accused, and thus ended the case