The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-03-20


ard DOwOll-oue charging him viii
the murder Of John Il. West, and tn,
other with the murder Of Edmund NJ,
West. On the day following they
brought in two indictments against the
other three prisoners. for felony,
charging them as being accessories be-
fore the fact, to the murder Of tho
Vests.
THE TRIAL.
On the third day Of the term. Rich
ard Dowell was brought into Court,
looking pale. haggard and care-worn,
\ jury was impunnellcd with but little
trouble. and the prisoner placed upon
his trial in the usual form. Upon the
Indictment being read to him, and the
question propoundcl by tho Clerk
"what say ycu-guil,y or not guilty ?"
he replied, in a low and Subducd
voice. mot Guilty. the tesli-
mony vas introduced in behalf Of the
State and ns witness after witness
testified, it was soon seen that the web
Of evidence against Richard Dowell ad-
mitted Of no doubt rs to his guilt. So
recklessly had be committed the fearful
deed so careless had hc been in his
conduct; and such had been bis threats
towards the Vests, that even the cir.
cumstantial evidence introduced was
sufficient to convict him, without tic
unimpeachablc testimony Of the witness
who saw him in the fatal field, or OF
tho ono who saw him discharge the
fearful weapon which ended the lives Of
tho two victims. The defence had but
little testimony to offer; and on
Thursday last, the argument was op-
encd by Mr.. Edmiston, for the State,
in speech occupying between three
aud four hours. He was followed, uf.
ter supper. by Mr.. Poundstono, also
for the defence, 10 a speech, occupying
a similar length of time. The next
day. Friday, up to nearly midnight.
was consumed By tho arguments Of the
counsel for the defence-Mr. Braunon
first, and Mr.. Arnold afterwards. The
argumen. was closed on Saturday by
Mr.. John S. Fisher, of the prosecution.
who spoke about four hours; and at
the conclusion Of bis argument, about
half.past 8 in the afternoon, the case
was given to the jury. Judge Bran.
non then announced that one Of the ju.
rors was a Seventh. Day Baptist, who.
from conscientious convictions, declined
to consider on or agree to a verdict IN.
til the going down of the sun, and re.
que.,ed the other jurors to respect the
religious principles of their fellow juror.
And thus. on the evening of the ninth
day of the trial, tho jury retired to
their room.
THE VERDICT.
During the entire progress Of this
trial, the Court House had boon
crowded with people. The in,eres, in
the proceedings never abntel; bu,
during the argument Of thc9casc. the
excitement increased to fever heat.
Not a font Of standing room was left
uuoccuoied ; and it was feared by mauy
that the immense and unusual weight
nigh, cause m accident similar to the
fearful occurrence a. the Richmond
Capital some years ago. Blu, in their
excitement people seemed to forget cv.
ery,hing but he all absorbing question
Of the probable verdict Of the jury. a
very considerable number Of people
were confident that the jury would re.
turn with verdict confniug the prirn
er ia the poniteu,i.ry during hi, natura
life and in this number were many u
the most intelligent Of the by-standers
while another portion we're equally as
confident that the evidence would ad,
nit of no lighter punishment than the
death penalty. 1T about s o'clock
(showing that the jury had been scarce.
II two hours in coming to an agree,
mcnD the Court House bell was rung
and It was announced that the jury
were abou, to return. In a lew mo-
ments the Court room was crowded &c
sulToca,iou; but silence was commag ded
aud the Jurors, pale aud excited. en-
tered the room, headed BY John Oden,
ESQ. of Roanoke, their foreman.
Then the silence was almost painful -
hardly loud breath disturbed the pro.
ceedings. In q solemn tone. the CIarl
said. "Gcn,lenen of the jury, loul
upou the prisoner Is he guilty or mol
guilty 2" The answer came from Mr.
0den slowly, but firmly, Guilty