The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-28
BERBsFoRD IN JURYs HANDS.
A Belief That Conviction or a Mistrial
Will be the Result.

Will be the Result.
ROME. GA, Oct. 27.-The testimolyls all
in and the fate of an English lord, If such
he be, is IN the hands of twelve men OF
Floyd county. This afternoon two argu-
ments were made. one by L. A. Dean for
the defense, and one by Solicitor General
! Nunnally for the state. Tomorrow Judge
Branham, the able advocate, will conclude
| for the state and will be followed by Hon.
! Seab Wright for the defense. speculation
runs high as TO what will be the verdict.
II there were any betting It would stand
! three to one in favor of a conviction. The
lord looked his best to day
and his attire was faultless.
He faced the long line OF
testimony exposing bis alleged rascaliJy
without fiinching and the wife was in cour {
all day, and with her the wife of the Epis-
clpal minister in me. During the lords
statement his wife wept.
THE TELL-TALE REGISTER
J. C. Moore, the first witness for the state.
testified that be saw Beresford register his
wife's name as Mrs. Sydney LascelIes. and
that be remarked tn that was tie true
name.
Harper Hamilton, the prosecutor. testi-
fed that while sitting in his parlor Beres-
ford asked him to cash check for 500.
saying that be was going to Lon
he returned to buy the Etna
property. He produced check book.
saying: You can't carry one of these
unless you have money on deposit" Then
Beresford pretended to write letter di-
rected to his father in Leeds, England.
This letter was returned to Hamilton q
Co., and opened and found TO contain moth
ing but blank piece OF paper. Beresford
said be had $3.50, in bank. He told MIR.
hamilton in New York that his true name
was Lascenes.
HIS MEETING WITH PENDLEToN.
William Pendleson testified as to his
meeting with Bereford in London and ex-
planned how he was imposed upon. Bere-
ford told him that he commanded all the
money he wanted, and then began negotia
tions. Mr.. Pendleton wrote several letters
of introduction to parties in America.
A. j. Lawrence of Bea yer, Pa, produced
the marriage license, testifying that Beres-
ford was married in the name Of Sydney
Lascelles, and that he swore to it.
After the introduction OF several other
witnesses by the state they closed. and the
defense announced, I'VE will introduce no
| testimony, but let the defendant make his
| statement
| BERESFORD T AXES THE STAND.
l The lord took the stand. There was excite
| ment in the court room, which the onlookers
4
on the prisoner. His statement was novel II
have prepared some notes, said the defen
dant, land l expect TO demon
| strate that | am innocent He
| spoke low. He began with his
meeting with Mr.. Pendleton in England and
then came down to his meeting with the
Hamiltons in Rome. He explained about
the check by saying that he had money in
the bank, bnt not enough to meet the
check. 1t was his intention to return and
| purchase the property. He explained
| about having two names and his explRna-
! ton made the court smile.
HIS HUMOROUS EXPLANATION.
I'm England" said the lord. I'VE society
| people have two names. We bear one
| name for business purposes and one for
| social purposes. Beresford was my name
| for business. and Lascelles my name in
| social lfe." He had cousin, William
| Beresford. in India. He could show that
| there was such man in the service Of
| England.
"Will the state counsel introduce this
bookw inquired the prisoner. ut will
| prove my assertion. The Hamiltons want
| to prosecute me. They have an understand
| ing with my brother-ln-law, who is deter
| mined to put me in the penitentiary if he
| can. My brother-in-law told me once that
| il would leave this country and stay away
| so that my wife could get a divorce, that he
would pay all my debts and settle cases but
il did not do this he would spend 81, 900 to
convict me aud send me to the penitentiary.
My wife's mother is worth s. 100000"
TALKED AN HOUR.
The prisoners statement was an hour in
length. He attempted to show principally
malice on the part of the Hamiltons, the
prosecutors. In conclusion he said:
Gentlemen, the state counsel will paint
me in black colors but l am Innocent, so
help me God" When the prisoner finished
there was general smiling and nodding of
heads, and the remark was heard on all
sides, THAT was a sharp statement" Then
the case went to the jury. The chances are
strong for conviction. There is a chance Of
mistrial and little hope of ecquittal.
AI1GuSTA,S RTTSINESS