The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-16
ARGUMENT CONTINUED.
PE1rROSS. MAKES Il SARCASTIC RE.
Pr TO AYLETT'S SALLY.
Mr., MassIc VIII Close tho Summing UP To-
Day, and the Case Will Go to the
jury In tho Afternoon.

DANvILLE, VA, Feb. 15.-Special.-
The hastings courtroom was again dense
" packed with people. who came to hear
the argument In the trial OF j. L. Clark
for the murder OF Rev. J. T. Monett.
More women were present to-day than on
any previous day, and they came pre-
pared to make day of II, bringing picnic
baskets filled with sandwiches and other
good things, which they demolished DUR
ing a waiting spell between speeches.
Ex-Judge Blackwell completed his mas
terly effort for the defense at noon. He
reviewed the medical testimony ana
claimed that the death Of Moffett was due
more to the surgical operation than TO
the shot by Clark. He concluded win
an atpeal for verdict of acquittal,
not as an act OF meTcy. but as an act
Of Justice. claiming that the killing was
justiiable.
Mr. II. w. Peatross, after short IN
formal recess. concluded he closing argu-
mont for the defense He opened with
shot at Colonel w. r. Aylett, OF the
prosecution. who had. in his speech on
Monday. sold I'm effect that Peatross was
very pious mar IN church ana de'il
in the court room. Mr.. Peatross shot az
Aylett was dignifed broadside Oh VII
and biting sarcasm. which had us enect
both on the target and the crown. ne
eoid among other things, that devil play
ing in court Is not a game or sontaire'
two must play i'm II. The lawyer who
n,ovs tbe devil Is the one who interrupts
the game of the other devil. and defeats
his deyiiish Vaccinations and designs
that game OF devil he proposed TO play
here. and would head him off fairly ana
squarely. and would sink his ship by
shots under the water line, and get
all his ammunition, not from ontside
matter. not from prejudice, but from
the law and the evidence. He would
teach Colonel Aylett a iesson-ncVer go
In the court on the wrong side. The deVll
makes ToOr Roadway In a court OF JUS
tice when on the wrong side. Never
place yourself In a position 10 nave 10
look through the eyes Of the man VINO
employs you, be he right or wrong, just
or unjust. Colonel Aylett had likened
himself TO the Publican Of the meat ne
was repentant; this saint would forgive
him freely, but Il he was the publican
who sat at the seat OF custom the
sneaker had nothing to say in his behalf.
fort which had been made to attach SUI
perfuous Importance to this case, ana
make it appear that Moffett was martyr
sacrifice it at the behest OF community
All the evidence shows it TO have been
merely a street fight between two men.
in which one was killed. He agreed with
Colonel Aylett that preachers had Tlght
TO go into politics If they wanted 10, but
they must go in as other men do, ana IL
they get hurt they must not claim any
special preachers right above those OF
other men; before the law a preacher
is a man. and no more than man. He
then proceeded to argue from the evidence
for a verdict OF acquttal, on the ground
that the killing was justihabie homicide.
Mr.. Peatross spoke three hours.
Mr.. Massie CONNIE nwealth's attorney,
will close for the prosecution tomorrow,
and the case will go to the jury In the
afternoon.