Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-13
NEARING THE END.
Verdict In the Goodman Case Expected
Within The Next Two Days.
Only One Exception Taken 20 the
Judges RuIings-srgumcD OF
Counsel on the Instruct ose
OF Defence Allowed.


criminel trial in Virginia. probably. since
the famous trial and conviction Of Thomas
J. Cluverius--is nov nearing its end. Six
days have been consumed in hearing the
evidence and nearly 100 witnesses have
been examined Within the next two days
1t may reasonably be expected that YER
dict will be rendered.
AS the end draws near speculation as
to what the verdict will be naturally in
creases. and every man one meets who
hass heard or read the evidence has
clearly-defned conviction OF what the
verdict should be. and less positive, but
decidedly hopeful. opinion that the verdict
will be IN accordance with that conviction.
The opinions OF those who have fol-
lowed the evidence produced at both
trials agree that .the defence has greatly
strengthened It's case while the prosecu-
tion. as is 40 often the case VIII new
trials are granted, has been debarred from
presenting its side with the same strong
cOlorlng allowed al the former trial.
JUDGE WHITES FAIRNESS.
Judge White has been eminently fair
and impartial I'm his rulings, and, S a
proof of this, but few exceptions have
been noted. The only important exception
by the defence was that made when his
Honor refused to allow the conversation
between the prisoner and Captain Pettus,
about twenty minutes after the killing,
10 be offered as corrObOratiVe OF the
prisoners statement. The counsel on both
sides as well as the spectators cannot fail
to have been impressed with the mani
fest desire on the part OF Judge White TO
give the prisoner a fair and Impartial
tri<.
The prosecution has been able and ag-
gressive Colonel Craig is one OF the
ablest criminal lawyers in Virginia, and
enjoys well-eaTned reputation as a
shrewd, skilful questioner, as well as a
splendid pleader. but tne prosecution
would not have suffered II conducted
wholly by Captain Woods, who untes
with his ability an impression Of fairness
to the accused that puts him en- rapport
with any jury that has a disagreeable
duty perform.
AN IMMENSE JAM.
An hour and half before the open
ing Of court every available seat In the
courtroom was taken. and by the time
Sheriff Watts had completed his little
UItllHE huliFFF AlAtit " lAH ali illlAil' ilsF
Jam I'm the gallery and on the lower floor
and standing-Yoom was at a premium.
For many minutes after the opening Of
court Mrs Goodman kept her face buried
in her hands and for more than an hour
continued TO weep.
The conduct of Captain Goodman and
his faithful wife has been calculated to
win the sympathy % all who have watch
cd them during the progress Of the case.
ARGUMENT on INSTRUCTIONS.
The whole Of the morning session was
consumed in argument upon instructions,
Captain Woods, Colonel Craig. Mr..
Letcher. Mr.. Crump. and Mr.. Parrish
taking the leading parts IN the discussion.
The prosecution offered instructions, as
did also the defence.
INSTRUCTIONS ALLOWED.
All OF the Instructions of the defence
were allowed.
Such an immense crowd was never be-
fore seen in the Alhemarls courthouse
as was present at the opening OF court
after the recess. 1t was known that the
argument would begin. and there was not
a foot Of available space that was not
covered by surglng humanity
lls Honor read the following instruc-
tiCns aEld FOR by the refence:
]. That the law presumes every person
charged with crime TO be innocent until
his suht is established by the, Common,
wealth. beyond a reasonable doubt; and
this presumption of innocence goes with
the prisoner through the entire case, and
applies at every stage thereof; and they
are instructed that although they might
have believed when the Commonwealth
closed It's case that the prisoner at the
bar was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt;
yet, If after having heard the
tnKrf ~ h. Of "a
prisoner, they have a reasonable doubt
as q his guilt upon the whole case. or
as 10 any fact essential to prove the
charge made against him In the indict-
ment IL is their duty TO give the prisoner
the benefit Of the doubt and find him not
guilty.
2. That upon the trial OF this case, II
a reasonable doubt OF any fact necessary
10 establish the prisoners guilt, as
charged I'm the indictment. be raised by
the evidence such doubt is decisive and
the jury must aguit the prisoner. since
a verdict Of not guilty means no more
not been demonstrated in the precise,
specific. and narrow forms prescribed by
g. That If upon the whole evidence in
consistent with the conclusion tnat the
killing OF Parsons was eXcusablc or justi-
fable. they must find the prisoner not
4. That If they believe from the evil
dence that the prisoner provoked by a
previous Insult or charge contained in
an unsigned letter, took a copy OF said
letter 10 III. G. Parsons, without any pre-
N.uusly formed design of committing a
felony by killing said Parsons. or inilict-
inS upon HIN some serious bodily injury,
stating IN substance TO said Parsons that
said letter contained charges that were
insulting To him and MS family, and ask
ing SAID Parsons If he WAS the author OF
sara letter and II ne was the author that
he should retract said charges. and that
said Parsons refused 10 retract said
charges, aud threw said copy OF said
letter upon the floor. and said in sub
stance To said Goodman that neither he
nor his family were entitled to be con-
sidered in The matter, and that the
prisoner, smarting under the insult in
nicted upon him al the time. but without
any hostile demonstration by said Par
sons. i'm transport Of passion, suddenly
and Immediately drew his pistol and
Killed said Parsons, the jury are further
instructed that they cannot find the
prisoner guilty Of any greater offence
than voluntary manslauehter.
g. That II the jury believe from the evi-
dcnce that the prisoner provoked by Il
previous insult or charge contained in an
unsigned letter took a copy Of said letter
10 H. c Parsons without any previously
formed design OF committing felony by
killing said Parsons or inhicting upon
him some serious bodily injury. stating
IN substance u said Parsons that said
letter contained charges tnat were in
sulting 10 him and his family. and ask,
ing said Parsons IL he was the author OF
said letter, and. II he was the author
that he should retract said charges, and
that said Parsons refused 10 retract said
charges ana said IN substance to the pri-
sOner that he and his family would not
be considered, and attempted TO pass the
prisoner standing about or IN the door
way al Gladys Inn, and that prisoner
put his hand on the shoulder or breast
OF Parsons and repeated his demand that
Parsons retract said charges, and that
Parsons threw his hand III the direction
OF his hip-pocket. making a motion as II
10 draw a weapon, and th0t the accused
shot and killed s8idhParsons, honestly and
reasonably believing at the time Of the
killing that he Was In imminent and i'm
mediate danger Of losing bis own life,
or of suffering serious bodily harm (and
these matters depend upon the circurn-
stances as they appeared 10 the accusedl,
then n cannot be convicted Of any OF
fence whatever, although they may believe
from, the evidence thai the prisoner was
not I'm Imminent and Immediate danger
~ losing his own life or OF suffering Sc
rious bodily ham. the Court instrucing
the fury that n the prisoner acted from
honest and reasonable apprehension Of
imminent and immediate danger, he must
fndge FOR himself OF the eNteut OF the
dsnEer that threatened him
8 The Court further ms ructs the Jurl
that II they shall believe from the evi
dsace that the prisoner, under the cir
s,,n,ste noes stated in the NTH instruction,
kiTed II G Parsons under an honest and
reasonable apprehension that MS own lire
was in imminent and immediate danger
or that he was IN imminent and I'M
s,ediate danger OF serious bodily injury
he was justified IN so doing, though
such danger was not real. the question
for the fury IN this case is not whether
he talirg OF the life OF the deceased
'Hu . .. hon "a falv aNnlda.i I'M