Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-08
ThE Trial OF MORGAN,
Charged with the Murder Of Coies-The
Evidence.
rsnoclol Telegram 70 The DIspatch.l

Especial telegram TO the DIspa,chl
CUAR1oTrrsvrrL VA. December The
trial Of f. G. Morgan, the young Enehsh-
man who killed John 5. Coles in August
last. was resumed in the County Court at
IN O'Clock this morning. The greater part
of tO-day's session was taken up WIN 'he
examination Of the dcicnce's wituessc'.
The defence undertook TO account LOT inc
one empty chamber IN Coless pistol, ana
introduced witnesses 10 prove that II was
possible for the barrel OF the pistol 70, he
rusty, although fred by Coles on the day
of the homicide.
IL HIS OWN DLHALF.
&c. MORGAN. the defendant. was put on
the witness-stand this afternoon, and made
n calm and straightforward statement OF
! the tragedy. Ills statement OF the
killing corrohoratel III every particn-
lar the evidence as given IL by
MIR. John Alexander. the only eye
witness to the shooting. Morgan was
closely cross-examlned bv the prosecution
! but failed to commit himself III any par
| ticular he answered the questions IN u
| calm and distinctly audible tone ana seem
/ ed 10 have perfect control OF hiinselI' al
though he was gazed upon by an immense
/ throng of people who were ANXIOUS 10 near
/ his testimony.
MANY WITNESSES.
Some thirtv-oicht or forty witnesses have
! been examined IA this case, which has o.
cupiod the attention of the court for the
/ mast four davs. The most important Wit
! ness ia the case was Mr.. John Alexander
with whom Morgan has boarded Tor the
/ past three wears and who was the Only eve
/ witness 10 the murder The defence ms
/ laid GREAT stress upon his evidence, and
some Of tho main attacks OF the piOsccu-
/ ton were made in the endeavOr 70 break
I down his testimony. Alr. Alexander
syore. although subject to the scycIcet
cross-examination that two shots were
/ 6rcd-the first lvvoung Coles. who still had
/ hisDiltol III his hand when Morgan returned
! the fire. the ball Of which entered Coles
/ forehead and proved so fatal. The prose,
cutiOn. TO refUte the abov" Evidence piac'9
/ three heroes ON the stand, Who testlhcd
that thew heard only one shot These ne
grooe were in Coles's employ and at the
/ time of the shooting were az Darn TOUR
/ hundred yards away.
Another attempt was made by the prose-
cuti0u to prove that but ono chamber OF
/ Cole,'s pistol was empty, and That had ueeh
/ cmptied ~ firing at o or, some days hti}fe
! tbe shooting. 10 prove this, Carter Coles,
"A son of the deceased. was pat on the
stand. and testified that the deceased never
loaded the pistol himself, but rad always
/ left that TO Ice done by the witness, WHO
Kept the cartridges.
ss-EXAVr;KD
When cross-examiued ly the defence
voung Coles would not state positiNeN
that no other cartridges could have been
found on the place 10y his father.
The prosecution laid considerable stress
| on the fact that Morgan was trespas,er
and introduced witnesses 10 prove that he
lad been warned 10 keep of COles's place.
The defence on the other hand en-
dcavored to show that Mr.. Alexander s
family had been granted the privilege OF
using the private road through C0les :
place. and that rs Morgan was considered
member of AlcXandor'5 family, therefore
be was not considered tire pa-ser.
The court has been occupied very closely
with this case for four days and consideTa-
bic interest has been manifested III IL Dy
our citizens generally.
Morgan has paid very strict. attention to
all the proceedings and has shown but lt-
lie nervousness. His mother and brother
in-law have been with him III court during
most of the ,Ial.
The hearing of evidence was competed
late this evening. when court adjourned 10
meet nj 10 o'clock Monday morning. Ar
| pumcuts will be begun at that time and
Colonel William Il. Aylett viii lead of Tor
the prosecution and VIII be followed by
Judge Duke and the other counsel for the
defence. Captain u. Woods viii close the
arguments for the prosecution.
The speakers on Monday Will make some
fine arguments and IL IS expected that the
courtroom will be packed TO hear them.
The case may not probably be given to
the Jury before Tuesday afternoon.
On account Of this trial Judge Duke has
postponed the Corporation Court until
Wednesday.