Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-12

| NJ Justis, Jr.. counsel for the accused.
| having addressed them on the. indict-
| ment charging the prisoner with
! feloniously and mallciously shooting
George w. Woodruff on the night OF
February H. 1896. to which he pleaded not
| guilty the examination OF witnesses was
begun.
Mr.. Woodruff. the frat witness. stated
that on the night OF February 18th, about
O'Clock, while making his usual rounds.
he was approached by Powell. who. when
about five feet distant. raised a pistol
| without any warning and fred. the ball
taking effect In his left breast
As soon as shot he walked back to the
| cngine-room, where he fell. and lay until
the arrival OF DR.. Reams. when he was
| taken home. Unon REORGANIZATION.
| witness stated that previous to the shoot
ing his relations with Powell were very
! friendly.
Dr. Hinchman testified as TO the nature
OF the wound and the condition Of the
wounded man. whom he considered as be-
| Ing far from well man.
Mr.. William i. Turner testified to
! having sold n weapon similar TO the one
shown him TO Powell on the evening OF
the 18th OF February. the latter stating
10 him that he had been bothered with
chicken-thieyes, and wanted weapon in
the house
HOW TO USE HIS PISTOL.
The testimony Of the next witness, Mr..
! Reynolds, was more damaging lie stated
that he met Powell on the evening OF
the 18th Of February about or O'clock
Powell said that Woodruff had under
mined him. and gotten his job, but II
would not do him any good. Powell then
drew revo.Fer, and requested witness
20 show him how TO break IT, which he
did several times. returning it closed
After having q glass OF beer together
and after trying 10 persuade Powell to
give him the revolver, they parted.
Mr.. Savage. the next and last witness
for the prosecution, told Of Powels
coming 10 his place on the afternoon Of
the shooting under the influence Of liquor,
and saying that though Woodruff had mis-
job. he would not have 1t long. for he
was going to die. Upon witness asking
him il he did not think Woodruff could
stand the chemicals. he replied: Il don't
say he can't stand it, but he has got to
die"
Tho court here took a recess until $3.50
o'clock.
Upon reconvcning the Commonwealth
having rested its case, the defence in
troduced several witnesses TO prove the
condition Of the prisoner previous to and
on the night Of the shooting.
Mr. A. J. Cottrell testified. among other
things, that Powell entered his place IN
Fulton, on the night of the occurrence in
a wild and dazed condition; took several
small drinks, and. after requesting him
10 load his pistol, which he refused TO
do, left with the pistol unloaded. Mr..
CottreH was put through a rigid cross
examination by Commonwealth's- Attor-
ney Sands
WAS VERY DRUNK.
Mr.. S. w. Powell. the father Of the
prisoner. testified that his son came to
the dock where his boat was lying about
II o'clock on the night Of the shooting.
and requested to be taken aboard. Powell
was so drunk that witness had to help
him in and out Of the boat The prisoner
slept on board that night, and. upon be-
ing informed next morning OF the charge
against him he had no recollection Of it,
On hearing that the officers were looking
for him. Powell came. with his father
and surrendered himself.
There were several other witnesses
introduced TO prove his condition
on the night of the occurrence.
and the substance of their testi-
mony was that for a week previous
TO and on the night of the shooting
Powell was very drunk. and acted very
peculiarly. Up to the time Of this affair
the prisoner had borne the reputation OF
being a very quiet and peaceable young
man.
The defence rested its case here, and
court adjourned until this morning at 10
o'clock. when the case will be argued
and given to the jury.