Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-09
THE VILLA Ms TRIAL
JURY INSTRUCTED AND THE An
GUMENT COMMENCED.
Judge BInkcy for the Prosecution
and Mr.. Walker for the Defence
Verdict Monday Probably.

SALtTDA. VA. November S.-tSpecial)-
When the court assembled this morning
counsel for the defence in the case ot
the Commonwealth against Mrs. Magnolia
Williams. charged with the murder OF her
husband Offered five instructions which
thoy requested the Court 70 give
% the jury The prosecution objected to
three Of the Instructions. but after argu-
ment by ". A. Jones. FOR the defence
in their support. and judge Blakey and
Mr.. T. g. Jones In opposition thereto, the
Court allowed all i've OF them without
change or modification.
The commemorative Attorney then Of
fersd one instruction, which was accepted
by the defence.
After the instructions had been read by
the Court TO the jury, Judge Blakey be-
gan the opening argument
JUDGE BLAKEY'S ARGUMENT.
lie spoke an hour and thirty-two min
utes. presenting the case aginst the pri-
soner go a forcibie and able manner lie
comm need by coneratulating the jury
that the case was near its end. and. AZ
ter c0mplimenting them upon tn patience
ana attention they had given 10. proceeded
% discuss the eydenca The medical and
expert testimony was discussed at consid-
cradle length. OF all the other evidence
be did not attempt an analysis but con-
tented himself with dwelling upon what he
regarded as the principal circumstances.
FOR THE DEFENCE.
At the conclusion Of Judge Blakeys
address. Mr.. T. Harding Walker. OF coun-
sci for the defence. commenced the
opening speech for the prisoner Mr.
Walker has very pleasing address and
is remarkably clear and logical rca-
soner he began his argument by Civ
Ing a history OF the case from its in
ccption. describing i'm graphic manner
the circumstances which led 10 the ar
rest Of his client and to the removal OF
the case from Northumberland 10 this
county when the hour for adjournment
arrived be had spoken for two and a
quarter hours. but go close was his rea-
s0ning and so thorough was his review
of the evidence, he had only covered
! about half of the case.
HAD STUDIED THE CASE.
His comments upon the medical testi-
mony displayed a thorough acquaintance
with that feature OF the case and pOved
equally interesting 10 the jury and spec
tatOrs He exhibited 90 the jury the
+ cap removed from the skull of deceased
and explained the location Of the different
/ parts OF the brain. He maintained
| that 10 could boz easily demonstrated that
/ il was impossible for tho bail 10 have
/ entered the brain and taken the course
/ indicated by the physician who made thu
autopsy His analysis OF the evidence
! as TO the course by the ball which en-
/ tered the head. and probable results OF
/ that wound. was exceedingly clear. lie
/ held that ID was entirely possible for the
/ deceased 10 have inflicted the two wounds
/ Mr.. Walker will conclude tomorrow morn.
I ing.
The remainder OF tomorrow will h
taken up by j. r. saunders and W. W
/ Walker. both Of counsel for the defence.
Hon. ". \. Jones will close for tbs
defence. and Mr. T. g. Jones VIII con
/ clulc for the Commonwealth on Monday
/ The probabilities are that hy Mondal
night one of the most interesting ease.
ever tried In TldeWater Virginia will have
/ been concluded