Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-14
DUER'S CASE.
Hg is BROUGHT BEFORE THREE EAST
ERH SHORE MAGISTRATES.
The Question Of His sanity-sent On to the
Grand Jury-Fsrmers' Associa-
ton
special telegram to the Dlspatch.l

CAPE CHARLES, VA, January 49,
The preliminary examination OF William
G. Duer, who killed his wife near Ward
town, this county, on the 9Th OF January,
took place at Eastville to-day, three
justices of the county presiding. The
State was represented by the Common
wealth's attorney and the prisoner by
@. L. Mears. A large number OF wit
nesses had been summoned both by the
State and the defence. and the greater
part of the day was consumed In the ex-
animation. The courthouse was crowded
with those who felt an interest IN
the result of the trial, and it was
confidently expected by many that the
justices would order commission OF lu-
nacv that he might be sent to one OF the
State insane asylums. The testimony
OF witnesses as 10 the killing was much
the same as has already been published
in this paper. Drs. Moore aud Not
tinghsm were the first to be examined.
They testified that they had conversed
with the prisoner early in the morning;
that be talked nationally, and they were
of the opinion that his mind was in that
condition that he was fit subject to
stand an examination for trial on the
charge against him. and that he was not
now insane.
Captain o. A. Browne was the next
witness. After stating what occurred
lust prior to and Immediately after the
killing, he stated that he was called by
Duer, who said: 81 have done it." lie
asked "Done what" Duer replied
Killed nv wife" "What did you kill
your wife for ?" "She had betrayed me
and had drugged me and loved another
man. killed her in self-defence. My
life was not safe when she was around.
He then told me (witness) to take
him in charge and place him in the
hands of the officers of the law.
At this point the prisoner asked the wit
ness three or four times ii he had said
that his wife had betrayed him, and
seemed much mortified and chagrined
when the witness answered, Yes, that
is what you said" The witness then
stated that Duer was very much excited
when he first drove up, but Afterwards
| he Gained down and talked in perfect
| " rational manner
Other witnesses testified to about the
same as Captain Browne, each stating
that Duer had always been n peaceable
citizen, and had lived happily with his
family.
For the defence several witnesses were
| brought on the stand who had known the
prisoner for a number Of years, all OF
whom testified as to the insane actions OF
/ Duer for at least six months prior to the
killing Of his wife, and stated that Duer
was constantly in fear of being killed
and was afraid to sleep in the house
without some other man being present.
He was constantly saying that some one
was after him and wanted TO injure him.
His brother. with whom Duer stayed the
night previous, stated that be was con
vinced some time prior to the tragedy
that Duer was insane and so stated to his
| friends.
DR. E. W. Robertson. Of Onancock,
testified that he was the family physician
of Duer, that he believed that the pris-
oner was monomaniac, and that he
committed the deed under impulsive in
sanity. Notwithstanding the strong tes-
timony that was produced to prove the
prisoner insane, the justices thought it
best 10 send the case on to the grand
jury, and so decided, and remanded him
to Jail.
FARMERS ASSOCIATION.
The Farmers Association OF this
county met in convention this week and
elected their officers for the ensuing
year. The organization numbers about
eighty members, and have effected du-
ring the INST yenr much good for the