The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-06
CHARGED FITE HURDER
Phiilip Norman Nicholas on Trial For His
Lie at the County Conrt

Philip Norman Nicholas was arraien-
cd before the Henrico County Circuit
Court yesterday morning to answer the
charge Of numbering James Mills and
Juosoh Wilkinson, who lost their lives
IN the James river on December ID. 1852
The supposed murder occurred in the
upper end or Henrico county, near what
Is known as Tuckah0e Island. Nicholas
ana the deceased went out hunting On
the day in question, and while crossing
the river, which is very deep in that
neighborhood, the sldn sprung a leak
and began to rapidly hll with water.
All three men jumped out, and Mills and
Wilkinson lost their lives in the stream,
while the accused swan ashore and was
saved. When he reported the drowning
Of his companions. the suspicion Of his
neighboro was aroused. and upon inVesti-
cation two holes. apparently bored with
an anger, were found in the boat To
add to the theory Of murder. two pieces
OF corn-cobs which exactly fitted the
holes were discovered near by. and this
naturally led TO the belief that there had
been foul play. The surposition, OF course.
is that Nicholas decoyed the men. who
could not swim. IN the boat, and then
pushed out the shoppers when he got into
{
The evidence at the Coroners inquest
developed the fact that the prisoner had
| been on familiar terms wiz
and that there was no owe between Mich
olas and the wO mans husband AS vet
the prosecution has found no GOOD motive
10 the supposed killing OF Wilkinson
The accused was arrested on the night
OF the 10th, and az no bail was allowed,
ne has been confined in tail for nearly
ten months. Prison life has disagreed
with him. and he now looks pale and
worn.
Yesterday morning he came into court
I'm the custody Of Deputy Sheriff Russell
and took a seat outside Of the railing
with his counsel Messrs. d. G. Richard
son and Harry NJ. Smith. Commonwealth
Attorney Sands was assisted by Mr..
George D. Carter. Judge b. r. Well
ford presided.
Counsel on both sides having sgnihed
that they were ready TO proceed, the in
dictment was read and the prisoners
counsel made motions 10 quash the IN
dictment; they also demur-ed TO the In
dictment. and wanted the court to quash
the venlre facias by which the jury was
sun,moned-aH Of which motions were
oyfrruled and exceptions noted.
a venire Of eighteen was called. and
strange as Il may appear after all the no
toriety given the case by the press and
the talk INDUCED IN while the excitement
was so high. twelve out Of the eighteen
were accepted. though four more were
necessary 10 complete the panel The
iurvmen were rs follows: W. y. Ford,
J. w. Taylor. G.. W. Bottoms. Hill Car
ter. Hugh y. Smith. r. b. Banks John
Bloomfield. Joseph Turner John Warri-
ner. Fuller Farrar, George Lyme. and
Houston Johnson.
After the venire had been exhausted
the court ordered the sheriff 20 summon
another venire Of ten men from the
county. and the court took a recess
until & o'clock.
When the court reassembled the SIX
teenth and last juryman was found, and
certain preliminaries were gone through
with so as 10 be ready for the hearing
OF the evidence to-day.