Sharp County record., 1881-04-14
REPORT OF THE MATLOCK TRIAL
PowHATAN, April 5th, 1881.

PowHATAN, April 5th, 1881.
The case of the state against Robert
Matlock, of Sharp county, charged with
murder in the first degree, by the killing
of Thomas Miller, also of Sharp county,
at barbecue near Flat Rock, in lnde-
pendence county, on the 18th day of
August, 1880, is now on trial in the Law
renee circuit court, (Hon. r. II. Powell
presiding) on a change of venue from
Independence county. 1t was called at
9 o'clock a. m, when both the prosecu-
tion and defence announced ready for
trial. The jury was completed at $3.50
p. m., when the further consideration Of
the cause was postponed until to morrow
morning, o'clock. The prosecution is
conducted by the efficient attorney for the
state, Col. Coffin, assisted by Messrs.
Abernethy & Sloan, of Sharp county
The defence is managed by Messrs. But
Ter, Neill, Baxter, Baber and Padgett.
The prosecution will be vigorous and
level the defence, able and exhaustive.
A large crowd is present The case is
one Of unusual interest to the people of
Sharp county, and to the country in gen.
eral | see large number Of persons
from Sharp county in attendance upon
court, among them Judge Mntheny. Judge
Meeks, Esq's Shanks, Mobley, Russell
Jordan, DR.. S. NJ Lewis, Capt. T. c..
Sims and Granville Miller.
SECOND DAY.
The cause was called at 9 a. m. The
state, by attorney, made brief and terse
statement of the case to the jury. Judge
Butler made statement in relation to the
defence, but did not Disclose the nature
of the defence relied upon in the case.
ThereupOn the state submitted the evi-
dence in support Of the prosecution, and
after the examination Of eleven witnesses,
fully establishing each and every allega,
ton contained in the indictment, rested at
p. m The examination Of witnesses
for the defence was then begun, and con-
tlnued until g .. m, when the further
consideration Of the cause was postponed
till to morrow morning, 9 O'Clock. -Four
witnesses have been examined. The eff
fort so far is to prove self defence. There
are 80 witnesses for the state, and SO for
the defendant
/ THIRD DAY.
Court convened at $50 o'clock. The
case against Matock was called immedi-
at4lY The defendg-1 loe'Es pale. 'Ga5
| weary this morning He is attended by
/ his wife, father and mother, and other
relatives. The examination Of witnesses
for the defence was resumed, and cOntin-
ued until near p. m, and the defence
rested, Then the state submitted the
evidence Of two witnesses in rebuttal, and
rested. At 3 o'clock all the evidence was
completed, and the attorneys commenced
to prepare instructions of law to be given
to the jury.
The only effort on the part Of the de-
fenddnt was to show justification and
sell.detence. Divers threats on the part
of Miller were proven-whether true or
not, cannot say. There was also an effort
to show that he was armed at the time he
was killed. Nothing in regard to New
lightism" or insanity on the part of the
defendant was presented to the court or
jury. The argument of the case will
commence tomorrow morning, and the
matter will not be finally submitted to the
jury until the next day.
FOURTH DAY.
This morning court convened at $50
o'clock. The case Of the state against
Matlock being resumed, Mr. Abernethy,
for the prosecution, opened the argument,
and continued his remarks until noon.
After recess Mr.. Padgett and Gov. Baxter
made arguments in behalf Of the defend
ant. Qdite an audience attended the
"pleadins Of the lawyers"
FIFTH DAY.
Court was in session at the early hour
of 8 o'clock. Matlock, the defendant,
seems in despair; the jury, fatigued. The
consideration of the case resumed. Dir
Sloan addressed the jury in behalf of the
prosecution, and was followed by Col
Neill and Judge Butler in behalf Of the
defendant, and then Col Coffin closed the
argument in favor of the state At .. IN.
the jury retired to their room to consider
of their verdict. AT $50 p. m, the an
nouncement was made that the Jury had
agreed upon verdict, aud many eongre-
gated at the court hall to learn the result.
There were many speculations as to what
it would be. Some said murder in the
first degree; others, murder in the second
degree; none acquittal. The jury filed in
slowly, were called and umbered, and in
response to the usual inquiry, announced
they had agreed upon verdict, and the
foreman handed the same to the clerk,
who, after quick glance, read: I'VE,
the jury, find the defendant not guilty.
At once murmur of disapprobation came
from the audience. The defendant was
discharged, and court adjourned. The
condemnation of the finding is almost
universal. So ends one amongst the most
important trials that have occurred in the
b,.to,,, A