The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-01

STAFFORD COURTHOUSE, VA, Feb.
2s.-spcc.m.-Charlcs Morgan, alias Nor
caaaeld. was found guilty Of train-rob-
berry this eftciuoon at 4.l5 O'Clock, ana his
lunlshmont fixed at eighteen years Ia
thc pe1itcuuary.
1t was o'clock wncn the prosecuting
attorney closed his two hours argument
in winding up the AQUA creek train rob
berry case and ten minutes later the jury
returned with the verdict.
"Gentleren Of the jury, look upon the
prisoner" said Clerk Bryan.
"Have you agreed upon your verdIct?'
"Wc have" replied Foreman Jones. in
q firm voice.
'1s he guilty or not guilty.
Guilty" eaid the foreman, and the yer
dict was handed nap. IL is as follows:
1--WE. the jury, find the prisoner
Charles Morgan. alias Charles Ausustus
Morcan6eld. guilty as Cnarg 'd in the IN
dictmcnt. and fix his tenn OF confinement
In the peniteutiary at eighteen years.
MoRGAN's STATEMENT.
The Judge then asked Morgan If he had
anything 10 say why sentence should not
b. pronounced.
Half-raising himself, Morgan said:
"T was not ready for trial, and had no
idca [ would be tried at this term OF the
court / was not physically or mentaiIy
In condition 90 be tired, and dld not
want TO be tried In this condition
"Thc Court sees no reason i'm that Tor
not passing sentence said Judge Ashton'
You have had fair trial. The jury IS
one Of the best. You have mad able couh-
sel. In view of the very strong evidence
in the case. you are very fortunate III
not suffering the extreme penalty OF the
law The judgment of the Court Is that
vou be taken TO the penitenuary ot TINS
State and there confined for pefiod OF
eighteen years. but the execution oi the
sentence will be suspended until the ''u
day of April next. TO enable your couhsei
10 apply for an appeal
MR.. SHAY RESUMES.
At the opening of the co.rt this morn
ing Mr.. shay. senior counsel Tor Morgan
resumed his unfinished argument oI yes
tcrday. He said that his client was
clothed iG the Immaculate garment Oh i"-
noCcnce rnth ne was adjudsed Eullly Dy
"a Jury OF his peers. He did not for one
case I'm charge would c0nline his client
i'm a living tomb on the testimony Of per-
Jury and informer. lie then analyZed the
evidence for the prosecution as given by
Searcey, and Corroborated by other Wit
nesscs for the Commemorative lie
charged that Sedrccy had lied TO save
himself. and such testimony was un-
worthy OF belief. The witnesses who cor
roborated Soarcey are not creditable, as
they took money, blood money" for
their attendance here and in Cincinnati.
"Scarcey. the liar infOrmer and coward,
The brand of Cain upon his brow. comes
here with malice in his heart. and a lie
on his lips swearing away the life OF an
innocent man, Was that despicable crca-
ture, traitor eXecrdted in every land
and by every race, a disgrace TO himself
aud 1hose connected with him, upon
whose head Is hurled a curse"
Ar. Shay then dramatically quoted the
Well known lines from Lalla Roolh which
begin
son, for tongue TO curse the slave
Whose treason like a deadly blight,
Comes over the councils of the brave
And blasts them in their hour Of
might" etc.
THE PINKERToNs SCORED
Mr.. Shay then devoted his attention to
the Pinkertons. branding them as a
daHnable crew, who We're bounding down
poor man 10 an unmerited doom.
His line of argument in relation 10 the
trial and punishment Of Soarcey was
about the same as the argument used by
Serator W. A. Little. the junior counsel
for the defence. Mr.. Shay also claimed
that remorse was working on Searcey,
Tor when first brought here il was iut-
mated that he would not give evidence
against Morgan. But Hinde was ever at
his elbow and this hei-bound of crime
urged him on and persuaded him TO com.
nit the crime OF swearing away an inno-
cent mans life.
Gentlemen Of the jury" said Mr. Shay,
'the law gives the prisoner the benefit
OF every doubt, for the Court has said, If
You have a reasonable doubt, even though
the facts be apparently strong, you must
1lnd him not guilty Divine law says.
Judge not lest ye be Judged. for with
what measure ye Judge II shall be meas
ured unto YOU. "
Mr.. Shay finished mis- argument with an
eloquent peroration. appealing to a Vir-
ginia Jury in the name Of the majesty
of the law. In the nam0 OF the sacred
traditions OF the grand old Common
wealth. IN the name OF the lovely woman,
who, in her humble home in the far
West was watching and waiting for the
coming home of her much wronged hus-
speaking there was some applause in the
courthouse, but II was Immediately sup
pressed by the judge. At the conclusion
OF Mr.. Shay's argument court adjourned
for dinner.
NIX. WHITE CLosYs THE ARGUMFNT.
After dinner Mr.. White began the clos
Ing argument for the prosecution, and
II Will not suffer by comparison with any
thng that has been said tn this famous
trial. Calmly and dispassionately with
a modest dignity behtting the occasion,
without flourish or oratorlcal effort, he
proceeded 10 demolish the strong points
the defence were conhdent they had made.
In his opening he paid n well merited
tribute 10 Judge Charles w. Ashton, who,
he said, had fairly, impartially and hon
orabiy discharged his duties in the trial
of this case. with malice toward none,
but charity for ALL" Every doubt aris-
ing during the trial had been decided
tn favor of the prisoner. and to the
prisoners counsel he had allowed every
latitude known 20 the law. Speaking OF
Ms own connection with the Gaze. Mr..
Nhi.e said that not for his right arm