The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-16
THE CASE BEFORE THE JURY
Argument Concluded in the Retrial
OF Conductor Goodman.
JUDGE WOODS GREAT SPEECH.
The Prosecution the Ablest Effort OF
His Life. The Conclusion Of Mr..
Parrish's Defence. The Jury
Expected TO Bring Ver-
dict at 10 O'Clock.
BY Southern Associetol pros,.

BY Southern Associated Press
RICHMOND, Nn., March 15.-A Char.
iottesviile, Nn.. special to the Dispatch
says:
The court assembled an hour earlier
TINS morning than usual. Tho prisoner
was unattended by any member of his
family. The court room rapidly filled.
hud before Mr.. Parrish, for the defense.
had been speaking long, the crowd had
Increased 10 lurgD proportions.
Mrs. Goodman and her lO.year-old
son camo in about twenty minutes lntrr
aud took seats TO the right of the pris
oner.
MT. Parrish resumed at . o'clock n.
M. lie began by saying Tint one pc
cniiar feature OF this tragedy Is that
the man who killed WAS retrcating iron,
the man he killed. Unless Goodman
believed that bis own life was in danger
there is no explanation of why he
should have backed back when ho had
pistol III his owu hands. There was
no special reason why the defense
should have contended that the pistol
was hold i'll the left hand, except that
1t was true, 1t made no material diff
ference III which hand tho pistol was
held.
In speaking of Bryant's evidence,
Mr.. Parrish said, TINT there was one
thing that should not go uncnntradict-
Cd, anu that was TINT Bryant wus n
friend OF Goodmnn's. He was no friend
OF Goodman. ana he had no right to
come here aud breathe ont his venom
against the prisoner, still posing ns Il
friend. Mr.. Parrish concluded nn i'm :
paSsluned outburst with the wurds:
My last words, Pentlomeu, is II
prayer to God that He will defend the
right"
Al the close there was great ap
planse. which was checked at once by
His Honor.
Capt. Macaiah Woods began the last
speech for the prosecution at 10
O'Clock. He said that not only were
the people of this country looking with
interest to the verdict OF tho Jury, but
the country at large as we'll. He
! deprecated the drawing of distinction
between the proud and humble, the
rich and poor, and paid beautiful
| tribute to Albemarle juries, which
have always held the scales like blind
justice, allowing no condition of life TO
swerve them from doing their duty.
In discussing tho letter, Capt. Woods
said the humblest man in Virginia hnd
perfect right to report any railroad
oilicia for neglect of duty. He drew n
nice distinction between the bringing
OF "fonl charges" and the foul
charges themselves, and illustrated
that 1t was the duty of Parsons TO re.
port the charges against Goodman. He
made very ingenious and persuasive
| argument to prove that Col, Parsons
should have written the letter. The
speaker answered the question, "What
wonId yon bave done under the cir
cumstances?" with splendid effect, He
wonld demand TINT the sunlight be
turned upon the charges, the bells rung
out and the public invited to witness
his yindication.
lnrge audience was charmed with
Capt. Woods graceful diction and easy
iioW OF chaste, beautiful language.
Inc Captain was in spleudid form
and made, In the opinion of many who
| heard 1t, the speech OF his life.
The able: Commonwealth AttoIuey
made an exhaustive review of the evi.
dence. At little past | o'clock Court
adjourned until 2:30. when Capt.
| Woods resumed his argument.
In conclusion, Capt. Woods drew n
pathetic picture of the suii'orings caused
| 10y the killing OF Col. Parsons. and
| pleaded for Justice from the jnry. Hrs
closing appeal 10 the jury, not to be
swayed by sentiment or sympathy, was
delivered with thrilling effect.
Upon tho conclusion of his speccb
st 4:2O, the court adjourned until to-
morrow morning at 10, at which time
1t is hoped the verdict will be an
| nounced.