The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-26
BONNER MURDER TRIAL
The Evidence Concluded and Argument for
the State Begun by Solicitor Leary.
THE CLOSING TESTIMONY OF DEFENCE
A Large crowd in Attendance During
tho Last Days OF tho Trinl--The
Rebutsal Testimony-Nrs. Wyatt
Rests Decisive Testimony-Ncws.
paper Men on the stand.

Washington, NJ. c.. Jan 25.-(Special.)
The evidence In the Bonner murder
was concluded to-day ut II O'Clock and
Solicitor Lenry began the argument for
the State In a speech Of two and q half
hours. 1t was a clear exposition OF the
facts in the case. He was followed by
b. d. Nicholson, for the defendants
Bell His was u speech full OF good
sound thought. He was followed by w
b. Rodman. for the State. in one OF the
strongest arguments we have ever lis
tened to as to the duty of jurors He
had not completed his argument when
court adjourned. The trend of the posi-
ton of the defense seems to be that
the main facts in Credie's statement are
true, except that they do not apply to
the defendants.
1t was thought from the appearance
Of things the night before that yestcr-
days work would close the evidence In
the Bonner trial This brought large
crowd of eager listeners to the court
room early. larger number of ladies
Their presence practically shut out all
other persons from a. seat on the side of
the room outside of the bar.
Urlah Bell read a book and looked
careless. Sherrell BELL still looked pale
and weary. Brantly and his wife looked
fresher than on the day before. although
some said It would he the hardest night
they had had. His mother was not with
him
Some Of the counsel were little he
hind and delayed the opening little.
The defense for the He'll boys rested
the night before. and when Judge Hoke
asked If Brantly wished to offer evil
dence, his counsel said they had no
evidence to Offer
Mr.. Summons. somewhat excited, ask
ed to make statement. saying that his
defendants family were being greatly
worried by certain persons and that he
hoped 1t would be stopped. Judge IIoke
rapred on his desk and said Mr. Sim
mons could not take the courtroom to
make such announcements as that.
STATES REBUTTAL
The State then opened testimony for
rebuttal. Mr.. G. S. Dixon was the first
witness. He testified that he went with
Detective Fowler to see Mrs Bell.
Jones. who was on the stand the evening
before. and said that the statement
which was read to her on the stand and
from which her testimony differed, was
the statement she made to Mr.. Fowler.
On the cross examinations bysNir. Beck
WITH he asked Mr.. Dixon If Mr.. Jones
seemed frightened when Detective
Fowler called to ask about the time
Sherrell Bell came to his room the night
OF the killing. and he said she did not.
Ihen a number of character witnesses
were put on the stand to prove the
CiH<racter OF Witnesses that had testt-
fed to certain facts
Rev. Mr.. Barker. B. F. NAYS. T 7
Hooker all testified that MI Dixon's
character Is good. On cross examina-
ton these witnesses were asked by Mr..
E'eckwith, of counsel for defense, for
the character of Sherrell and Uriah Bell.
Fhey all testified that they never heard
awning against Sherrell Bell until
TINS charge OF murder. and the same for
uriah until within the past year or SO
he has been Wild. would get drunk md
go to negro festivals
wyatt Best was put on to rebut the
evidence OF Mrs. Jones. also as TO the
.,me she said Sherrell Bell came in the
night or the murder. Sherrell had a
room upstairs in the house Jones lived
In. There seemed to be q discrepancy
between the time she named TO Mr.. Fow-
Ter soon after the murder and the time
she gave before the jury.
Then there were more character n,I,
nesSeS put on.
Mrs. Wyatt Best was again nut on
the stand. She was one of the brightest
witnesses that have been before the
h'urt. Her testimony was introduced
10 nullify the evidence of Rem Tonae
who testified the day before in defense
OF the Bell boys. Mr. Small examined
her. The main questions he put were
concerning what she heard Ben. Jones
say at her house.
d9 pen. Jones al your house after
the murder of Mr.. Bonner?"
Yes; he was there the Sunday week
after the murder"
What did he say about the Bell
boys?" oe"
He said that If coming to Washing
ton and swearing to a lie would clear
the boys. he would do IT,"
Mr.. Small sadd to the counsel for de-
Tense. Take the Witness"
On her cross examination there WIGS
some 'sparring between her and MT
Moore. who was conducting the cross
examination. She finally lefr the stand
seemingly indignant at Mr. Moore's
question to her about watching her
husband.
Copies OF the Washington papers
were introduced showing the statement
they published of Detective Fowler
when he returned from the scene of the
murder: They gave the names some
what different from Mr.. Fowler's testi-
mony las to Credles statement to him.
Where the papers had Uriah Bell he
said they should have put It Sheriff.
Bell
The editors Of the papers, Mr.. Jacob
son, Of the Progress; Latham. OF the
Gazette. and Arthur. of the Messenger.
were called to the stand TO explain the
discrepancy. They said they printed
as they understood Mr.. Fowler to give
1t. although they did not take down his
statement verbatim.
hr. Fowler himself was called and
asked to read from the papers the state.
murder as what he stated on his return
Ia f,~r. -.