The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-15

he said there was no apology to offer
aud 10y whom it mattered not; he
would at all events attempt to per
form his duty, although u painful one
1t might be. he appealed that the
jury should reach calm, deliberate
conclusion, that they had sworn to
well aud truly try and true deliver.
ance make
He mentioned the widow and chill
dren OF the victim aud asked the Jury
not to let sympathy or the grey hairs
OF tho accused Influence the verdict.
be outlined the testimony aud coufes-
sion and discussed the justitiability of
the killing. "lf human blood"
said he, ''hus been spilled in self
defense, which is God given
principal. then scquit tho prisoner,
but If not in self defeuse the accused
must Se punished as directed by law" >"
lie closed with a beautiful effort end
told the jury that whatever their YER
dict be he wonld believe they had
acted conscientiously. Fifty minutes
was consumed with this speech.
Next came Mr.. w. 5. Holland, the
gifted pleader from Old Isle of Wight.
who. with his pardouable mo6esty,
snid he neither hnd the mental ability
impassioned plea like Briggs, but would
proceed in an ordinary muuuer. Be
fore the conclusion of his address,
however, which lasted two hours aud
twenty minutes, his entire audience was
convinced TINT his opening statement
had been contrauicted Us far hB ability
and e!oqucnce went. In an earnest
and logical manner he reviewed in de
tail the entire evidence aud surround.
Ing circumstances, dissecting and weak.
eulnS the damaging part. emphasizing
aru connecting thut portion favorable
to bis client. nj times growing eloquent
aud then relaxing into Il conversational
tone, always interesting and logical aud
framing bis langnage within the lury's
apprehension. He cautioned tue Jury
as 10 the importance of their position,
saying that no Judge, jurist, high oifi
oiAl nor king had a more important
duty to perform.
He pleaded that m unjust verdict
would wither and blscken life aud
send soul toperditiou-s soul uupre-
pared To meet its God-and would cast
cloud upon the lives OF living
relatives; that the prosecution relied
upon evidence transacted twenty five
years ago. that memory was treacher-
Gus, language ambiguous, prejudice
and bias uncertain. He ridculed some
OF Mr. Briggs statements, placed
emphasis on the courts Instructions
aud declared that the prisoner must
be deemed guilty beyond reasonable
doubt to secure conviction, and that u
preponderance OF evidence as in q civil
case would not suffice IN criminal
case. Thanking the jury for attention
he closed at 2:30 p. M, whe.eupon
court took recess till $3.50.
On reconyening the crowd was
aware that Judge Neely would speak,
and knowing his reputation. they had
assembled In larger numbers than at
the morning session, If possible, those
who could not obtain admission gath
erlns III Knots around the green near
the windows. and they were not dis
appointed. He said Oh beginning that
his colleague had left little for him
to do, having covered oil the ground.
He however found good deal To talk
about which he did In very able man
ner, following closely the law and evi.
denco and expressing his thoughts III
most elegant language, some OF which
was considered rather too erudite TO
be entirely comprehensible to some of
the jury and spectators.
de said MIR. Briggs had failed to
specify any degree of homicide OF
which accused should be convicted and
hero asked MIR. f.. f.. Holland, who was
to conclude the argument, what degree
of murder he should allege. The lat
ter replied that 1t would take an hour,
and that he woud let him know when
he made his plea. lie SAID there was
prejudice III the case; that the sympa-
thies and lncerated feelings of friends
OF deceased had recently been wrought
up TO new degrees of seusIbil.
ity after twenty five years OF dormanoy;
that the Commonwealth had been par.
alyZed on the threshold OF the case Tor
motive. without which there could
be no rational answer for the commIs
sion OF crime; that there existed no pre-.
vlous malice, and that self defense was
paramount to all other laws in earthly
relations; that if the Jury believed a
part OF the confession they should be-
liove oil; that ho would not convict
stump tail, yellow dog on such evidence
as had been adducsd.
Tho Judge closed by Offering trib.
uto to the research, learning aud acu
men OF his associate. aud asked the
jury If they would add to the - yenrs
of forced absence from his wife. chll.
dren and friends, aud impose sen.
tenc6 which would brand his client "A
murderer and transmit Infamy to his
pOsterIty. He OCcutipd one bour auj