Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-05-02
PREJUDICE THERE.
The Trial of the Lunen-
burg Prisoners.
NO EVIDENCE TO SUS-
TAIN A CONVICTION
The Proceedings in UetaH
COUNSEL FOR DEFENCE ACTIVE
A Remarkable Case With A Remarkable
Ending

Ending
FARMvILLE. VA, April -, SO
1t was late in the afternoon before
the proceedings in the third day of the
trial OF Mary Alternately.
The examination of Philip Watson
was completed this afternoon, as was
also that of II. A. White. of Lunen-
burg, an entirely new witness. Moth
ing startling, however. was obtained
from this witness. In fact, the admis-
sion of the testimony of Lula knight
Alternately is the only thing so far hat
would stand against the prisoner.
CAPT GUIGoN ARRIVES.
Captain A B Guigon reached Farm
Vile to-day. but has taken no active
part in tie proceedings as yet. Judge |
Crute returned at 4 :0S from Bedford |
City, and hurried at once to the court /
house He reports that his son is no |
worse Court convened promptly at
4 10 o'clock The question of the adj |
instability of the testimony of Phil
Watson in regard to the statement
made by Pokey Barnes at the house of
Mr.. Clements. in the presence of Mary
Abernathy, which IL seemed doubtful
that the latter had heard, was taken
up, and Judge Nann announced that
the Commonwealth had decided to
withdraw the question asked Watson,
which would involve his stating what
POkey Barnes had said.
THOUGHT HE WOULD WITHDRAW.
Captain Wise made few remarks,
asserting that his contention as to the
inadmissibility of the question was
correct, and concluded by saying TO
Judge Mann: Il thought you would
withdraw il before you got through. !"
Before the examination of witness
was begun, Mr. Neblett, Common
wealths Attorney of Lunenburg, ros
and said that he wished to make mo-
ton, which. while il did not directly
afiectthe case at present, might do so
indirectly, and he did not wish the ju-
ry to hear it, as it might bias the minds
Of the jury.
RUsE OF THE PROSECUTION.
The jury were taken from the room
and Mr. Neblett stated that two wom-
en-, Rosa and Rena Barnes, who had
been arrested i'm Lunenburg county for
theft, were now in the jail at Farm
Vile, and his motion was that the
until the arrival OF the sheriff of Lun-
enburg To this motion Judge Crute
assented.
WANTED HER REPLY EXCLUDED.
Judge Mann, before the jury was
brought back, submitted a motion that
the answer of Mary Alternately TO Mr.
III. O. Gregory in the Richmond Jail 4,
in reply TO his offer to have her punish
ment committed TO Imprisonment in
the event of her confession and giving
up the stolen money, be excluded from
the evidence. Her answer, Judge
Mann said, was in her own favor, and
should be excluded, Judge Crute re-
ceived the motion, which ne said would
be considered at another time.
PHIL WATSON CONFUSED.
Phil Watson was then put upon the
stand again, and Judge Flournoy be-
gan 10 crOss-examine him. The old
man was was rambling in his replies,
and was easy to confuse, but he seem
ed TO mean we'll He repeated under
Judge Flournoy's searching eXamina-
ton all that he had said in his exami-
nation in chief. and again made the
statement that Mary Alternately had
D.. told him when he walkea with her e
MIR. Clements house, that she had seer
a tall man coming down the fence
when she left Mr.. Pollard house just
before the murder.
GOOD NEWS FOR MARY.
Phil described how himself. Mary
Alternately, Pokey Barnes and ElleT
of Mr.. Clements. Mrs. Collins, Mr.
Clements mother-in-law, had put hel
head in the door and said: MARY, I've
got good news for you They have
caught the man who got Mr.. Pollard.
money ;" whereupon said Phil, there
was great "blusteration" and rejoicin,
on the part of Mary Alternately. who
said; Thank God thank God ! they
got de devil who got MIR Pollard's mon
ey. Now you know who killed dat
'oman.''
InPhil Watson's examination coun-
sci for the defence laid special stres
upon that portion of his testimony re
lating to her having seen a man goinj
down the fence on the evening of tn
murder, and closely examined him OF
thatpoint
DUBIOUS WITNESS.
There was a great discrepancy il
two statements made by the witness il
thispoint, and one instance he test
fed that Mary Alternately had said tina
she supposed this man was saw-mil
hand, and was going after some water
probably, but in another that she sal
she believed that devil killed Mis-
Lucy, and she could have seen him d
it, il she had looked back" Continu
ing Watson testified chat he had know
Mary Alternately for some time, and h
did not know any harm of her.
After thoroughly cross-examinin
this witness on every point testified I
in his examination in chief. he was toll
to stand aside.
JURORS QUESTION
Before doing so. however, Mr.. B. I
Hun. one of the jury. asked him 90
Mr. Pollard could have seen Mary Al
ernathy when she left the house on tn
evening just before the murder?"
''He could have seen her, and sh
could have seen his horse ; he Was plo
ing upon n ridge"
Phil Watson then left the stand, an
Mr.. II. A White, who lives near Foi
Mitchell, was called. Mr.. White we
oneof the guards who watched owe
the women for several hours Monda
evening while they were under arres
HAD CONVERSATION.
He stated that he had a convers;
ton with Mary Alternately on that e'
ening. He said to her: AUNT Mar
they have caught Solomon" At tn
information she clapped her hand
and exclaimed THANK God for it
is the very man that killed Miss Lucy
"Doyou reckon so?'' said. Il kno
it,"she said. He's got me all woun
up here. and Pm just as clear as an al
81 II, hnnuan Yon,va haan KNOWN