Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-10-05
Conviction Of DaYis.

REMARKABLE. SToTCIsM OF THE PRIs-
oNER.-The trial Of Joseph Davis for
the murder Of Abraham L. Lynn i'll
April last terminated more abruptly
than was generally expected. AS stated
in our last the examination of witnesses
was brought to close on Thursday,
when the pleading of counsel commenc-
ed. On Saturday Attorney General
Syester having about three hours and
half in which to close the case, made
one of the most powerful speeches that
has probably been delivered in this
town since the famous effort OF Hon.
Henry May, of Baltimore, in the Swan
Sprigg case. The Court hall was
crowded-ay, packed and crammed al
most to sufocation, not only with men,
but hundreds of ladies, who, blythe
way, attended during the whole of the
triaI,and who took sides for and against
the prisoner with the determination Of
of-women we all know what that
means. After the conclusion of the
Attorney General the case was placed
in the hands Of the jury, who, after re-
EaiEing out about an hour, signitied
that they had made up their verdict.
The Court was sent for and upon the
arrival ofthe Judges and the prisoner
such a rush was made for the hall as
we have never witnessed in this town
before. After the immense crowd had
subsideG into seats or into standing
room Judge Alvey, turning to the jury
inquired whether they had made up
their verdict. The foreman responded
that they had. During this time one
might have heard that ott-spoken-ot pin
drop, had it done SO, so hushed was the
silence, but neither the silence, the
throng Of spectators, nor, above all, the
terrible moment OF suspense, made the
slightest apparent impression upon this
man whose fate was III the hands of the
awful twelve sitting in front Of him.
The writer hereof was within six feet of
Davis, and had placed himself there for
the purpose Of detecting in him any
symptoms Of feeling at the trying mo-
ment, as he (the prisoner) had exhibited
entire indifference during the whole Of
the trial. The prisoner was requested
to stand up and hold up his right arm,
which he did promptly and without the
slightest culver Of the fingers or even
lips or muscles Of the face. At the mo-
mentuous question of the clerk, what
say you, is the prisoner at the bar guilty
or not guilty Of the otfense as Charged!
we looked for something, some perccp-
tible change in the face Of this remarka-
bic man, but we looked in vain. Not q
nervous motion, not a flash or dropping
of the eye, and his whole demeanorS2ve
The palrncss that had overspread his
face for day or two previous Y, mark
ed him as being conscious OF anything
extraordinary transplrlng. And even
when the foreman of the jury respond
ed those awful words, Guilty of Muir
der in the First Degree his stolidity
never left him. AS further evidence
OF his control, if it was control and not
ignorant indifference, he replied, in an
swer to kindly remark of the shoriffto
the effect that he must endeavor to bear
up under his weight of woe. that "They
can hang me but they cant scare Inc =
1t really almost makes one think that
Davis is not responsible for his actions,
but ne have every confidence in the
Jury that tried him. which is pronounced
the best twelve men ever gotten togeth-
er in this county on an occasion similar.
The verdict is generally approved by
this community.
On Monday and yesterday the court
were engaged in hearing the motions of
the counsel for the defense, who tool;
exceptions to several rulings of the
Judges. J. Hamilton Shue will not be
tried until November Court-Hogrs-
t0wn IWicf-.H-Utek.