National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-27
THE ROCKVILLE TRIAL.
The Case Closed-Waiting for Verdict.

ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY Co., Mp,
The interest in the trial of Samuel Payne, who
stood charged with the murder Of his wife, Mar
tina Payne, on Christmas morning last, must
number Who ATTENDED the session q the oircaS
Court Of this place to-day, where IL was in pre-
Kress. At the time the crter opened the court all
the seats and standing-Teem were occupied, and
throughout the day things remained in the same
way. In the afternoon, when the arguments for
and against the prisoner were msde- many stood
oUtstde under the windows and listened to them,
being unable TO get inside the courtroom. The
day, however, passed without any special incl
10 o'clock and were followed soon by the prisoner
from the Jail. He betrayed lees nervousness than
on yesterday, and seemed to listen more tnteutly
20 what was goingon He frightened up eonsid-
e-ably when be feard that verdict OF man:
slaughter would be asked by the State, but said
nothing
THE TESTIMONY.
John MThken, the first witness called for the
defence, testified that between and o'clock on
December "A he saw Payne and hisWife together,
Sno Ihat there was nothing % Ineicate ~ tnen
Other witnesses testified to seeing them to.
gether in Rockville on Christmas eve, and that
they were pleasant and kindly toward each other.
John T. England, storekeeper, said that
tbs She eypepiDG and that MIS- PsV6e carried the
Other witnesses testified that Mrs. Payne fire.
Quently gotdrunE, and was very quarrelsome
when in that condition; that she had often been
arrested for drunkenness and that Payne was
| always very kind toward her allowing her TO
often brought her home when she was intoxicated;
that his general conduct was pescesble and good,
and that hers was the opposite.
HAZEL b. CAsHELL,
with whom he worked last testified that Mrs.
Payne always drew bis wages and that Payne
always provided for his wife: that he had fire.
quently lectured him, Payne, for allowing his
Wlle to overdraE his wages, which she frequently
did.
The testimony of Robert l. Adamson, who
could not attend, was admitted, setting forth
that all Of the wounds and tears OF the dress
could have been OccasioDed by falling on the
ground near where the body was found; that
there we've several elumps Of briars and rock
DR.. Maddox testified that all of the wounds, ex-
eept the inger-DRil marks on her neck, could
have been produced by a series Of falls.
This closed the evidence for the defence.
TIE PRAYERS.
The counsel for the prisoner then submitted
prayers asking the court to instruct the jury that
there was no evidence in the case to convict the
prisoner, or that the deceased came to her death
by his hands.
The States attorney objected to this PRAYER on
the ground that 1t was taking the case out of the
banos of the jury. He said, however, that he
would not insist on a verdict Of murder but would
be content with a verdict of granddaughter.
The court refused, after consideration, to allow
the prayer, saying that the evidence would have
TO go to the jury, and that that body must pass
upon it,
to the jury were then commenced, Mr. Jones lead
ing of in snort address Mr.. BOuick followed
for the prisoner in wel-directed and successful
effort. He was followed by his associate, Mr..
Anderson, who handled the evidence in q manner
very favorable to the accused. Then came the
closing argument for the prisoner, which was
made by Major England, gentleman of great
ability as criminal lawyer, and who has pleaded
important cases in all OF the courts Of the State
He took deep interest in the prisoners BEHALF
and volunteered his services. His address was
very learned, replete with interest, and on the
whole good cIincher TO follow the addresses OF
NJ essrs. Bouick and Anderson.
The court at o'clock took recess until p.
m, when upon Teassembling Mr.. Spencer 9.
Jones closed the case on behalf Of the State. Mr..
Jones is very fluent and forcible speaker and
his narrative powers very good.
NO VERDICT AS YET.
icy telegraph 10 the Republican,
1.-THE charge Of the judge was concluded and
the case given to the jury at p. m. Up to this
hour, Q p. m, they have failed to agree upon a
verdict. AS the telegraph office closes at nine
O'Clock. and no trains leave after that hour, 1t
will be impossible to send the verdict should they
agree, which is improbable"