Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-26
YOUNG'S TRIAL.
ANOTHER INTERESTING DAY IN THE
PETERSBURG HUSTlNGS COURT.
The Prisoner In His Own BehHif-sceue
of the Tragedy yisited-An I'm
portant Question.
rcorr.,popdepee o, the Richmond p,.p..cs.,


PETERSBURG. Va, February 25.-The trial
Of Paul Young for the murder of Robert
Gillian, (colored) was renewed in the
Hastings Court this morning. The crowd
in attendance, as on yesterday, was very
large, the courtroom being packed almost
TO suffocation. The testimony for the
Commonwealth was concluded by IL
O'Clock, whom that for the defence was
begun.
IN HIS OWN BEHALF.
The prisoner was put upon the stand
and made quite a lengthy statement of the
circumstances attending the unfortunate
Enthusiastically the same as that given
before the coroner's jury and published
in full at the time in this correspondence.
He still asserted that the shooting was ac-
cidental: that after warning the deceased
against drawing from his hip-pocket
razor OF jack knife, which he
could plainly see in his hand, and
after further warning him that If he ad-
vanced upon HIM he paul Young would
shoot him: that the negro failed to heed
these warnings and did advance upon him;
that he (Young) then drew his pistol from
his left hip-pocket and that while he was
in the act of raising il the weapon was &C
cidentally discharged and the negro fell
the pistol-ball passing directly through his
temple.
DID INTEND TO SHOOT HIM.
Before the coroner's jury Mr.. Young
stated that he had no intention of shoot
ing Gillian. To-day he testified that he
did intend to shoot him and would have
shot him in self-defence, but that the pis-
toll was accidentally discharged before he
could raise his arm. This was the only ma
terial difference between his two state
ments.
GILLIAN oUARRELsOME.
II was in evidence that Gillian had the
reputation of being quarrelsome and tussy
and that he used to shoot and cut on
occasion.
About / o'clock, at the suggestion of
counsel, the jury were taken in charge by
the Sergeant, and in company with the
prisoner escorted to the scene of the fatal
shooting. where the surroundings were
fully explained. On returning to the
courtroom the evidence for the defence
was resumed and concluded after the re-
cess for dinner.
PUBLIC INTEREST.
A great deal of interest has been shown
throughout the trial, and general sympathy
has been expressed for the family of the
accused Mr.. Young is young man and
very popular. There has been great deal
jury, and the impression is that it will
either be one of acquittal or one of very
light penalty.
AN IMPORTANT QUESTION RAISED.
At the session of the court this evening
an important question was raised. The
Commonwealth had shown that at the time
of the killing of Gillian by Young one DR..
Van (colored) was present for a short time
on the scene engaged in "a scuffie and loud
words with Gillian. DIR. Van was wit
ness before the Coroner, but at this term
of the court was summoned by the de-
fence The counsel for the defence being
satisfied his testimony would not be on
the trial as it had been before the Coroner
declined to call DR.. Van, but stated it open
that said witness WAS now in court and had
been introduced to them by the Common
wealth as being on the scene when the
killing was done, and as such was most
important witness.
DEMAND OF THE OFFENCE.
The defence, therefore, demanded this
witness should be called by the Common
wealth, to which the Commemorative At
torney objected. The question was argued
at some length, and the Judge suggested
that it might be settled by allowing the
Court TO call the witness. To this the de-
fence objected.
This being new question, as far as an
adjudication by the Supreme Court of Viz
ginia is concerned. the Judge announced
the adjournment of his court till to-mor-
row morning, when he would decide
whether or not he would compel the Com
monwealth's Attorney to put DR.. Van ON
the stand.