Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-07-20

CASE-EIGHT TO FOUR FOR CoNFNE-
TIoN-ANoTHER TRIAL IN AUGUsT-
THE CLOSING EVIDENCE.
&C., &C., &C.
The trial of Margaret Greever, for at
tempting to poison Florence Meredith.
and actually poisoning W. l.. Meredith
and Maria Hulvey, came to conclusion
Yesterday by the discharge of the jury,
which was unable to agree. The jury, we
learn stood eight for conviction and four
for acqaittal. 1t is matter of justice as
well as pleasure to us. to note the firm
and ability with which Judge Smith
has conducted this trial IN which the
very safety Of society is concerned.
And also to voice the opinion of our
people. that in the conduct of the prosecu-
ton Edward Echols, Esq, States At
torney, showed himself entitled to the
highest place among those to whom are
committed the interests of the Common
wealth. His opening and closing speeches
will long be remembered in this cOmmu-
nifty. We give below the closing testimony
and end Of the trial:
Friday.
The rebuttal testimony Of the prcsecu-
tion was commenced by the introduction
of teacher in the Female College which
Florence Meredith attended, who testified
that there was holiday at the school en-
April 9th. This irreparably damaged the
testimony produced by the defense, from
witnesses who testified that they saw
Florence going to and returning from
school with her books under her arm on
that day, and especially the colored wit
ness Mary Brown, who swore that on that
day she met Florence Meredith with Der
books under her arm near tn" Foundry
and for 25 cents. given her by Florence,
put package in the post-office for her.
COL 7Hsos. L. Gordon. Witness was for
mer Jus ice of The Peace III Staunton,
While acting as such, the colO"ed witness
Betty Thornton. (who swore that Florence
Meredith offered her money to buy poison
for her, came under his observation. Her
general character for veracity was such
that be had refused in his court to believe
her ON oath. Three respectable colored
people on that occasion swore her reputa-
tion for truth was such that she was IN
Betty Thorton had a general bad charac-
ter for veraclty.
M. Hounihan, Policeman. was at pre-
liminary examination OF prisoner before
the magistrate. At that exam inatlnn the
mother of She prisoner testified that the
envelope found IN her trunk was written
by her son l.. P. Greever, who was much
interested in Miss Florence Meredith and
wanted an introduction 10 her from the
prisoner. Officer Hounihan further testi-
fed that the reputation Of Betty Thornton
the colored witness was such that he would
not like to take her testimony On oath.
Cinthy Kurtz, Deputy Sergeant of the
city, had been Connected with the city
government for thirty seven years. Knew
the reputation of Betty Thornton for vera
city, we'll it was of the worst kind wit
ness wouldn't think of believing her on
oath.
Martha Vaughan. colored. testified that
the prisoners mother, Mrs. Fuiler), came
to her house twice IN May, "a short time
after the fest ;.rraignmau5 Of the pfions-
er, and offered .i'Fa Consideration to come
into court aud impetoh the moral chalac-
ter of Florence Meredith by swearing to
false statements.
Rachel Gibbons, colored, was in position
to overhear some Of tile above converse,
ton, and said Martha said to Mrs. Fuller
she couldn't do it; if she went to court
she would have to tell the truth and moth
ing else. This was at Mrs. F.'s second
visit.
j. A. Cochran. Mayer of taunton.-At
warrant trying before the 9Th of April
prisoner 8 mother stified that she had a
hundred letters at home written by The
prisoner. Prisoners mother On this pres
ent trial had testified that she didn' t have
any of Maggie's letters ; hat she never
kept them; made it rule always to burr
them Witness also testified that at the
first examination of this poison charge be-
fore a magistrate, Mrs, Fuller examined
the writing ON the envelope found in prls-
oner's trunk and said positively that i,
was not written by prisoner, bat by pris-
ouer's brother, who was 10 West Virginia
John Rogers, step-uncle of Florence
Meredith.-Had heard Hemp Trayer deny
to Florence that he had ever said he ha6
heard her say she wished the poison would
kill her father. and say to her that all he
knew of the case was IN her favor; that
the Greevers had gotten him into the case
he didn't know how. This witness was
introduced to reput that of Trayer who
had testified in this trial that he did hear
Florence say so.
Miss Maria Huluey- Was
talking to her sister Mrs. Valentine) and
told her she had heard that she Mrs. V.
had said she bad heard Florence make
threats against her father. Mrs. Valentine
replied that if Mrs. Fuller said that, SHIT
said what wasn't so. On the night wit
room and said to Mr. Trayer, II hope nov
Mr.. Meredith has got bis dose of Mag
Greever.' Afterwards on the street sh.
was in company when Florence met Tray
or and said to him, II understand you Sd,
you heard me say [ wished my father wa;
killed by the poison" Trayer denied hav
ing said so.
Florence Meredith, recalled. Was at
her uncle's (Mr. Rogers,) Sunday, April
9th, came home Monday, April oh, about
IL A. M. Did not 60 to school that day al
it was holiday. Did not go down town
about O'Clock. Went down town that
evening and met Miss Mana Hulvey com
ing from the Valley train. Witness neve,
offered BETTY Thnrnton n,onou 70 h.,x