Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-08-24


Of the Conductor would have been demanded
Ten OF the sturdy mountaineers were for
hanging, one was for murder in the second
degree, and the twelfth man for manslaucb-
ter.
J The prisoner bore up with remarkable cour-
age under the heavy blow, but his wife, who
stood by him through his trouble, was COM
/ pletely crushed.
THE VERDICT
1t was pitiful, indeed agonizing to look up
OH, when Clerk Hobbs, in clear, vibrate
tones read these awful words:
tWe, the jury, find the accused, Thomas A.
Goodman, guilty of murder in the second de
gree, as charged in the within Indictment, and
ascertain his term of Imprisonment in the
State Penitentiary at eighteen years
j. W. HUGHs
/ Foreman
FEARFUL AND ANXIOUS.
The closing day of this trial, which has con-
sumed nearly two weeks, was a sad one
througho ut.
Everybody connected with the trial had re-
allied that the end was near, and while they
were anxious that it should be all over, they
should prove more serious than had been an
ticipated
The jury looked more serious and thought
full than at any time since they were impan-
nelled and the friends OF Captain Goodman
began to grow more uneasy.
That was solemn moment when the urv
at nine minutes before filed slowly I'D to
| their room. That was a more solemn one
when they returned thirty -four minutes later,
with expressions of sadness that tol eboded no
good for the man whose destiny was in their
| hands.
The spectators, not expecting verdict so
soon, if at all tonight, had retired from the
1 courthouse, but fastened back. Counsel for
the defence talked to Captain and Mrs. Good
man while the jury were out, so as to make
| the moments OF suspense as short as possible
The prisoner, though even more grave than
usual, was under perfect self control In
deed his face was rigid. Mrs. Goodman was
nervous, but bit her lip and cast her eyes down
toward the floor, as she has done all through
the trial, except when occasionally she would
glance about the room OF look directly at a
witness or attorney who said something re-
fiecting severely upon the man in whom she
still had perfect confidence. When Foreman
Hughes, in reply to an inquiry from Clerk
Hobbs, stated that the verdict had been reach
ed, Mrs. Goodman seemed afraid to look up
but the prisoner arose and received the an
nouncement of the result without any appa-
rent emotion.
| AFFECTING SCENE.
When the last word of the verdict had been
read. the convicted man sat down, quietly,
and his wife put her handkerchief to her eyes.
Then she leaned her head upon his shoulder,
and sobbed aloud. He appeared to feel more
for her than for himself, and did all ne could
to comfort her. Finally, his head was like
wise bowed behind the fan, and both wept.
| The sobs of the almost heartbroken wife
could be heard all over the yard, and there
were few dry eyes in the house. Members Of
the jury who had done with courage what they
believed to be right. were among those who
wept Mrs. Goodman was soon taken out
leaning Oh the arm of her husband, and in an
almost fainting condition The children were
in tears on the other side, and the scene when
the husband and wife separated at the prison
a few minutes later was sad beyond express
sion.
Judge Moore spoke some words of congrat-
ulation to the jury, the orderly crowd, and
the attorneys on both sides, all of whom, he
said had helped him to conduct the trial with
proper decorum and order, and discharged the
jury thus ending the trial of Thomas A. Good
man.
OvERRULED.
Mr.. Crump made the usual motion to set
aside the verdict, which was overruled, With
out being argued, at a night session OF the
court
HOW THE VERDICT WAS AR RIVED AT.
The jury before whom Captain Goodman
intelligent men, picked by Judge Moore from
among the Test in the county. They are not
such men as are swayea by argument OF senti-
ment.
All of them were In favor of hanging except
I. ID. Kyle who thought that the offence was
manslaughter, and e. w. Fudge, who inclin-
ed to murder-in the second degree.
These two would not YIELD and in confer
ence held during the recess to-day the verdict
was practically agreed upon. Mr. Hugh
Hansberger is said to have been the last man
| to yield.
COSTS LOTS OF MONEY.
The case will swell the criminal EXPENSE
account of Allegheny county for this year
very materially. OF the this
! large number OF witnesses many came from
Richmond and other far-away points so that
the item Of mileage is quite considerable
one. Each of the Richmond witnesses for the
prosecution was allowed sic for mileage. and
of course all Of those summoned to testify on
that side receive 81 per day for attendance,
,JnGGe of f,o trio I
aggregate at leas. 81 ,OO0 and it is not unlike
ly that they will even far exceed that amount
Outside of counsels fses,1wnlen, am told, ]
are not large for such case, the prisoners
expenses will not be SO heavy. His friends
have been very loyal to him, and none of them
would think of claiming attendance at his ex-
pense. Some few who were not his special
friends may file their accounts.
GOODMAN SENTENCED
Thomas A. Goodman was On Monday SEN
fenced by the court to imprisonment in the
penitentlary for eighteen years for the MUIR
der of Col. H. g. Parsons. Captain Good
man TOOK his sentence calmly, and while it
was being passed he looked first at the Judge,
then at the floor. Mr.. Parrish then made
motion for a suspension of execution of the
sentence, which was granted by the Judge
The chance for new trial looks very bright,
and Captain Goodmans friends are confident
that the sentence VIII be materially reduced.
NEW EVIDENCE DISCOVERED.
1t is claimed upon good authority that the
prosecution in the Goodman murder case has
discovered some new and important evidence,
which, il new trial is granted, will be pro-
duced by that side. This statement is vouch-
ed for by Commonwealth Attorney Allen.
of Allegheny. who prosecuted the case, which
closed last Saturday. The character Of this
evidence has not been revealed.
h THE NEWS OF THE DAY.