Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-02-22
MUSCOE CONDEMN D
TO DIE

Able Defcrse o. j II. Hayes,-NO Jus

ttNC W. 80 WI Nv "
Having read of the prejudice sur
rounding this case; during and since
the first trial; to the extent that
guards had to protect the prisoner and
the Charlottesville "Chronicle" feltc
ed upon to heap abuse and calumny
upon the counsel for the defense; j
took the liberty to go to Charlottes-
vile and stay during the recent trial,
TO act as an impartial witness as re-
CARDS of this prejudice that had been
alleged against the citizens of that
city and to ascertain whether HAYES
was shyster as the Chronicle"
styled him.
With no i'll will toward the citizens
of that enlightened city, ] am now
prepared TO say that the LIST charge
of prejudice against the prisoner is a
true bill The second charge of the
Chronicle against Mr.. HAYES, is
false in its entirety, for i am convinc-
ed that if HAYES is aShyster then the
majority of that bar one of the able
est in Va, should strive to go higher
in the legal fraternity; since HAYES
made as able defense against as weak
a prosecution as has been made here
for years so say the public and
many of the same and other probes
siOns.
Yet Muscoe is condemned to die.
Prejudice reigned supreme, the very
atmosphere was pregnant with it.
1t was demonstrated iii the streets,
in the stores and other places of bus
mess and much TO my regret in the
court room. So thirsty were some
after the prisoners blood that he had
to be taken forthwith to Lynchburg
when a new trial was granted. AS
the time drew nigh for the trial
there seemed to have been some feaI
that Muscoe would escape the gal
lows, so every effort was made to Sc
cure the services of Capt. Wood, the
| able and experience Commonwealth
Attorney of Albemarle Co., to assist
the city Attorney. The city counse
refused to furnish the means, so the
citizens raised a purse, but the Cap
tain refused to assist, so the city AT
torney met Mr.. HAYES face to face a
the bar Feb. 10, 1890. 1t soon be
come apparent that he City Attor
ney was no match for Mr.. HAYES
and that the law was in the prison
/ er's favor. City Attorney then re
sorted to the tout field OF prejudice il
which he dweIt during the entire tria
and succeeded admirably well in coax
ing the II jurors from Staunton il
to the same field which caused oh
verdict of death to MUscoE. MI
HAYES so completely hedged the prif
oner about with law that it was tn
prevailing opinion, not among tn
colore3 people only, that he woul
never be hung by law. So the cit
attorney concluded by saying tina
he did not believe in this modern Law
and then commenced on the line I
prejudice and made no direct an
, conclusive reference to law exceI
= that policeman SEAL was dead an
. this man must die Mr.. HAYT
: fought manfully and skillfully fro
beginning to end, he merited comp
e ments from the most prejudiced an
Q won for himself a name of which
= and his race need be proud.
: And though he conquered in la'
i prejudice reigned supreme. Al
e Muscoe is condemned.
y There are many interesting iter
: that should be written up regardiI
h this trial that may find their way
your columns or in pamphlet I
e the public to muse over. Bell
e an impartial witness / conclude
= saying that Mr.. HAYES IS no Shyst4
je but a lawyer of the highest ORD
Is and an honor and blessing to
race.
y WITNESS
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Smolya Havana Fruit Cirar nc.