The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-04
THEPHILLIPS MURDER TRIAL.
FO EEETH DAY.
EVIDENCE CLOSED.

The court met at 9 o'clock, and the ex-
animation of NJ. P. Handy, reporter Of the
Dispatch, was resumed. <aE
The Court decided that the following
questions might be put to the witness: Did
you hear the statement of Oscar Phillips Mt
the last trial in this court in reference to
the night of the 17th of February, and his
means of identifying that night9 IF yea,
please inform the jury what that state
ment was. ......
The defence ..aking no objections to these
questions, witness said in reply that he did
hear the evidence of Oscar Phillips at the
last trial, and also at the called court. Lis
tened attentiyely, with view to giving an
accurate and interesting report. Could not
say positively, but his impression was that
Oscar Phillips did not at the previous trials
soy anything about hearing eonversa-
tion between the prisoner and Miles Phil
lips about the disappointment in getting
possession of the house on the 18th of Feb
ruary. Thought he said that the date was
fixed in his mind by the fact that there was
conversation in the family about the mat
ter. Witness could not state positively
that Oscar Phillips did not mention the
conversation between Miles Phillips and
the accused. 5 --...-......s. .....s.t
To Colonel Johnson: Remember that Os-
car Phillips said the accused opened his
trunk in his presence.
The witness was then subjected to q long
cross-examination rs to his method of re-
porting evidence, speeches, etc. Did not
claim to make verbatina reports, but only to
give an impartial statement Of such facts as
were brought out and were likely to interest
the readers of the paper. !
TESTIMONY FOR DEFENCE.
The defence then introduced several wit
nesses, according to previous agreement
between counsel. ~
Fleming Christian (negrol testified as to
the state Of the weather on the Tuesday
preceding the finding of the body. 1t rain
ed pretty heavy in the morning. He lived
near Mr.. Turner's. ....-.-..., .t
Mr.. George Turner, Sr., being recalled by
the defence, testified that the pistol found
in Phillips's room at his house belonged to
witness, and was unfit for use. 1t had been
lying about the house for some time. a.r
Mr.. Miles Phillips being recalled, said
that Meanley did promise to give up the
house to him on the 18th of February. In
consequence thereof witness notified Mr..
James M. Taylor that he would give up the
house which he occupied on the 22d Of the
same month. Oscar was with him when
Meanley agreed to give up the house on the
18th of February. The interview took
place at Meanley's house.
Cross-examined Never mentioned the
visit to Meanley's house before because l
didn't think it necessary. saa a...n
Mr.. James Phillips deposed that his
brother Miles had mentioned to him at the
time his expectation of getting possession
of the house on the 18th of February, and
afterwards heard him speak of his disap-
pointment. Didn't remember exactly when
the conversation occurred. Thought it was
in February, and it was certainly early IN
the year.
Cross examined Never thought about
the conversation again until to-day. Have
no means of identifying the time except
that il was in cold weather.
Captain William A. Charters, George
Gibson, John B. Rogers, John Booth,
George A. Ainslie, William S. Johnspn,
testified that they were. sveR- acquainted
with mr. .1Iilop' Phillips, and that his repu-
tation for yeracity was unimpeachable so
far as they knew.
DR.. W. F. Farrar being recalled, gave it
as his opinion that in order to say with
any certainty how long a person had been
dead it would be necessary that he should
see the body. Witness repeated his evil
dence given on his previous examination in
regard to the length of time that the body
of Mrs. Phillips had been exposed.
FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.
William Christian, member of the jury
Mt the last trial, was introduced to rebut
the testimony of Miles Phillips. Mr.. Phil
lips had first stated that the distress war
rant was procured after the visit of the
prisoner, but on the next day returned and
made different statement. Oscar Phillips
remembered the date of the prisoners visit
by the fact of the disappointment about
getting possession of the house on the 18th