Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-09-15
The Hams Trial.

After the GAZETTE's report of the Hains
murder trial at Hampton closed yesterday
Mr.. Lipsoomb finished his argument. Ii
his remarks he declared In an impressive
voice that Ed. Hannegsn could not be
slaughtered and Hams acquitted of the
crime. The testimony of Capt. Evans was
carefully gone over, from the time the boat
came In sight until after the tragedy. Great
stress YVES laid on the fact that after the
shooting the boat was turned out from shore,
and no effort YES made to make landing
for half an hour.
Why" asked Mr.. Lipscomb, 'did the
prisoner, after shooting his bosom friend,
SOUL the boat out in the roads ? To keep
bis dying lips from revealing the truth"
At this point Mrs. Hams was so much sf-
fecied that she aiKsost faintsd. She became
psie. and was supported by friends,
Ia closing HE argument Mr.. L!pscomb
called the attention OF the jury to the fact
that the prlsoner had prepared to Kill his
friend and have ais own wsy rather than to
put him ashore, az he desired, because IL
would endenger the safety of the canoe.
His denuncletion OF Helms was scsthlng.
The speaker regretted that Mr.. Wise was
awsy. He vas particularly severe in refer
ring TO his jests at such time when mans
HE wss In question.
Mr.. Shiilingtop. for the defense. then
spoke, ridiculing the arguments of the pros
ecuticn. Much OF his time was devoted TO
Mr.. Lipscomb, whom he characterized as the
paid attorney of private parties and con-
demned the feeling he displayed In the mat.
ter. He devoted considerable time to the
testimony Of Commander Evans, and claim.
ed it was that of man who was hostile to
the prisoner.
Mr.. Johu Goode commenced the closing
argument on the side of the defence at
o. M, and after he had spoken for nearly
an hour the court adjourned till to-day.
Mr.. Goode was very severe on Mr. Lips
comb, and said he had never seen such an
exhibition OF luminosity as was shown by
that gentleman. He felt sure that the Com
monWesIth's Attorney did not approve OF
his course claimed that Mr.. Lipsoomb had
blood money In his pocket from parties I'M
known TO him, and was paid to convict
Hams, whether innocent or guilty. He
took up tue law In the case and explained
il to the jury and then turned his attention
to the evicence, but had only presented q
smsi portion of 1t to the jury when the
court adjourned.
II was nearly ten q. N. to-day when Judge
Gcode arose 10 resume hin argument. He
again reiterated the statement made yester-
day that the prisoner could not be convict.
ed OF murder. either in the irst or second de-
gree, because there was 40 malice between
the two men. No, the evidence al went to
show that he fred that fatal shot under the
God given right ofseif-defense, and under the
instructions of the court 1t was their duty 20
acuuit the prisoner and set the captive free.
He then took up the testimony of Captain Rob-
lev D. Evans, and said If they were to believe the
statement of that gentleman that the prisoner
had deliber stely fred two shots and killed his
best friend without provocstion, then Thornton
Hams was insane, Robley Evans was the mortal
enemy Of Thornton Hsins. If there is any ma
lice in the case there is where you will find it.