Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-08-02
Mr.. MASSEY WINS.
THE PILOT, SAM W. SMALL AND
R. E. BYRD MULCTED IN
DAMAGES.

The great MasSey-Pi1Ot libel suit, which
has occupied the sessions of the City Circuit
Court of Norfolk for the past FIVE weeks, was
brought to close last Saturday afternoon.
when the Jury, after having given the matter
much consideration, returned verdict award
ing to the plaintiff 81, 600 damages. The Nor
folk Landmark Of Sunday says
1t was fully expected that the jury would
render verdict some time during yesterday,
and as a consequence the square around the
court house was thronged with large crowd,
every man of which was Oh the tiptOe OF ex-
pectapcy. In the court room were number
of attorneys and the usual number OF specta-
tors, newspaper men and others, and every
one was specializing as to what the verdict
would be. Opinions in this matter were
varied and numerous. The question of wheth-
Ell or not Mr.. Massey would get verdict did
not seem to be at issue. 1t seemed only q
question as to what the amount of damages
would be.
The hands of the clock pointed to 2:20 P.
NJ. when the jury filed into the court room,
and the spectators who were cOpgregated in
the hall and ON the lawn made a mad rush
for points of vantage from which to hear the
verdict Clerk Warning. after the jury had
been polled, asked if verdict had been agreed
upon. The answer came, "We have" The
verdict was then read as follows;
1--WE, the jury, find for the plaintiff against
the Pilot Publishing Company, Sam W.
Small and Richard E. Byrd, and assess his
damages at 81 600, 81, 800 of which weestimate
as punitive damages and 500 as actual DANA
ges, and as to the other defendants we find
them not guilty.
"(Signed) w. W. VIcAN,
foreman.
At the suggestion of Judge Heath, the jury
was polled and each juror in answer to the
question, us this your yerdict?" responded,
yes
The verdict is clear vindication of Mr.
is satisfied with it, and it is understood that
the defense will make no appeal.
Every man on the jury, it is understood.
was in favor of verdict for the plaintiff. 1t
was not question as to whether OF not he was
entitled to damages but as to the amount of
said damages. Ten Of the jury were for a
large amount of damages, one in favor of a
nominal amount and one against any DANA
ges at all, so the verdict was compromise
one.
In an interview. Mr.. Massey said thata ver
dict of 81 600 was as good as a verdict for
$50, 900 so far as the amount of money he can
collect from the defendants is concerned; that
he has been fully and clearly INDICATED OF
the charge and is, therefore, satisfied with
the result lie leaves for Richmond this
morning.
THE OTHER TWO MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL
BOARD.
The Richmond Dispatch of Sunday says
that in answer last night to Dispatch query
for an expression of opinion on the verdict.
Gov. O'Ferrall wired:
ALLEGHANY SPRINGS, VA. July p.
To the Editor of the Dispatch, Richmond, Va:
Replying to your telegram, will say that
the verdict conyicts the writers and publish
ers as libellers, and thoroughly vindicates
Mr.. Massey; but the damages awarded are
too small to deter libellous journalism for
gain and sensational purposes in Virginia.
(Signed) CHARLES T. O'FERRALL.
Attorney General Scott to the same query
replied
WARRENToN. VA, July q.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
The verdict in the Massey Pilot libel suit
vindicates the plaintiff and the Board of
Education. but does not punish the libellers
as they deserved.
(Signed) K. TAYLOR ScoTT.
OPINIONS OF THE PAPERS ON THE SPOT.
We give below the opinions of the verdict
expressed by our Norfolk exchanges:
TFrom the Norfolk Landmark
After all the examination, and all the argu-
ment and after more than whole days de-
liberation in the jury room, these twelve good
men and true selected from special venire,