The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-21

am IN the presence of conservative men
who will act fairly. You are here,
gentlemen, in case in which human
blood is concerned. The blood of Peter
Alif has been spilled, and it is your
duty and mine to look into the matter.
1t Is our duty to avenge any wrong that
has been committed.
There are those who are in this court
room who are seeking the blood of the
prisoner at the bar, and that blood
ought not to be taken unless the law
most imperatively demands it. Unless
it is most imperatively demanded you,
the jury, have no earthly right to take
human life, no matter how cold. blooded
the murder may have been.
1--WE shall endeavor to handle this
case fairly and squarely and the re-
sponsibility of it rests with you and
unless you are thoroughly convinced in
demand that you do not place the blood
of an innocent man on your heads"
Mr.. Phlegar dwelt on the testimony
of all the witnesses and concluded by
saying that he knew the jury would
render verdict according to the evil
dence and the facts in the case. Mr.
Phlegar spoke one hour and twenty-five
minutes
The last and closing speech was made
by Commonwealth Attorney w. o.
Hardaway, who said: II congratulate
you, gentlemen of the jury, that this
long and tedious trial is nearing the
end. will ask that you give me the
same patient attention that you have
given the gentlemen that have just pre-
coded me.
ut is no light task to stand up before
twelve jurymen and calmly and dispas-
sionately ask the life of prisoner. I
have the most intense sympathy for
him, and my heart goes out in regret
that he is brought before this bar,
charged with this awful crime. My
heart bleeds for the mother and little
child, who have so patiently remained
by his side during this trying ordeal.
But, gentlemen, it M tters'not how much
you sympathize with him you have a
sworn duty to perform, and it is only
right and proper, .,0
AFTER a careful examination of the
evidence find can do nothing but ask
for the life Of the prisoner. We con-
tend that this is q case of murder in the
first degree, and this is the only case /
ever saw in q court of justice where
cursing, passion and whiskey would ex-
cuse man for taking the life Of an
other.
John Smith shot Peter Alif with
LII dliSO duQ pEGmeQlldDlOu.
The prisoner swure by the living God he
would kill the deceased ere the sun
went down and he made good his threat.
Did the prisoner at the bar show any
sympathy for the afflicted family? Then
Is there anything wrong or improper
that that the death of this young man,
who was shot down in early manhood,
should be properly investigated?
II do cry out for his blood because
think it is right, and as sworn officer
l shall do my duty to the best of my
ability without fear of consequences.
All the testimony in this case shows
blood, and II the prisoner had one scin-
tilla Of feeling, or his heart was not
dead to shame, he would know that he
committed an awful crime in robbing
the bereaved family of one that was
very near and dear to them.
"Was the prisoner excited? He
ought to have been; he knew he had
taken human life and committed MUIR
der. In conclusion I will say If you
have reasonable doubt as to his guilt
acquit him. II not, convict him, and
whatever may be your verdict shall be
perfectly satisfied. But honestly, in my
mind, 1 think he ought to be found
guilty of mu der in the first degree for
The case was given to the jury at $50
p. M. and they repaired to the jury room
and were absent one hour exactly. In
the meantime tho prisoner showed his
anxiety by glancing continuously to-
ward the jury room. When it was
known the Jury had reached verdict,
everything was so quiet in the court.
room it was almost possible to have
heard pin fall. The door was thrown
open and the jury marched in. They
answered to the roll call and when
asked by the judge if they had agreed
the foreman replica, I'VE have"
the prisoner was told to stand up He
immediately sprang to his feet, his face
pale and his hands clenching norvously,
His manner showed plainly the terrible
mental anxiety he was undergoing. The
clerk of the court then read the follow
ing verdict: 1--WE, the jury, find the
prisoner guilty OF murder in the second
degree and sentence him to the peniten-
tiary for six years"
The prisoners face frightened up and
he exclaimed in loud voice, Thank
you, ,gentlen en-" The terrible strain
was over; his face was wreathed in
smiles and after the Judge had sentenced
him he again exclaimed, Thank you,
judge"
~ low VI oLnlIu lrltnuS III the rear
of the room raised feeble yell, but the
verdict has met with general disap-
proval. On the first ballot there was
three in favor of murder in the first
degree, four for murder in the second
degree and five for voluntary man.
slaughter.
Wedding Laft Night.
A very pretty but quiet wedding took
place last night at the First Presbyter.
ian Church, Rev. DIR. Campbell perform