Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-21
JOE FIFE WILL HANG.
ocoNTINuEp rnoM FlRr pAGnl

commemorative Attorney declined to do
SO. ond had started 10 address the jury
when Colonel Spotswood asked for in
structions. He submitted a long list
OF Instructions. which Mr. Richardson
read over. and said he had no objection
to, though he saw no reason for Issuing
thom. TIE Court then read them over
and accepted them.
THE INSTRUCTIONS.
The instructions were as follows;
you are instructed that the defendant
Is entitled 20 every reasonable doubt. and
! reasonable doubt Is doubt which had
some good reason for Il arising out Of tho
! evidence IN the case; such "a doubt as
you are able 20 find IN the evidence e
| reason for. II means such doubt
NJ viii cause prudent man to pause and
hesitate about accepting as true, and act
| ing upon any matters alleged or charged
| IN the graver and more important affairs
| Of lie. As applied 20 evidence I'm crim-
| nal cuses. II means actual and substan-
| tial doubt growing out OF the unsstis-
| factory nature OF the evidence in the
case. 1t does not mean a doubt which
| arises from some mere within or vagary.
| or from any grOundless surmise or guess:
| and while the law requires you 20 be
| satisfied. from the evidence of the de-
| PENDANTS guilt beyond any reasonable
doubt II 40 the same time prohibits YOU
/ from going outside OF the evidence 10
! hunt mp doubts upon which Co acquit the
/ defendant In arriving nc your verdict,
| 10 is your duty 10 carefully and c1ndily
| consider the evidence In the case. and In
so doing you shall entertain such doubts
| only as arise from the evidence and are
/ reasonable as defined I'm these instruc-
| ti0us.
INSTRUCTIONS As To AN ALIBG
! "The Court instructs the jury that such
/ defence is as proper and as legitimate,
! If proved, as any other. And an the
| evidence bearing upon that point should
/ be carefully considered by the jury. and
! n, in view Of an the evidence the jury
/ have any reasonable doubt as TO whether
| defendant was in some other place when
/ The crime was committed. they should
give the defendant the benefit of the
doubt and find him not guilty
THE Court instructs the jury that TO
/ justify conviction of the defendant.
/ his identity as the guilty person must
| Doe proved beyond every reasonable doubt,
and the jury are not bound 10 believe
/ that the witness was able % identity
| the prisoner with certainty because she
swears distinctly TO his identity. And
]
themselves are satisfied from the cir
cumst1nces proved that there Is reason
able doubt as 10 whether the witness was
| able TO and did identify the defendant as
| the guilty person.
REASONABLE DOUBT.
"The Court instructs the jury. MS mat
| ter of law. that I'm considering the case
the jury are not to go beyond the evil
| dence to hunt up doubts. Nor must
/ they entertain such doubts as are mere
/ U.s. chimerical or conjoctural A doubt
/ 20 Justify am acquittal must Doe reason
| able. and fl must arise from a candid
/ and impartial investigation of all the
/ evidence I'm the case; and II &c .s such
| that were the same kind Of doubt inter-
posed i'm the gravCr transactions of life
/ 10 would cause "a reasonable and prudent
man to hesitate and pause it is sum-
cieut to authorize a verdict of mot
guilty.
The instructions were given TO the
! jury. and at 2.30 o'clock Court took
recess until 4 o'clock.
THE NEGRO SLEPT.
Fife was taken back 90 jail. with %
dozen or more policemen TO guard him,
and during the hour he spent I'M his cell
he slept soundly. He was brought back
into court nc ( o'clock ana the argu-
ment WAS begun. Mr.. Richardson opened
the case. lie made am impa- toned ar
gumout. and expressed the belief that
no doubt existed I'm the minds of the
Jury as 90 the guilt of the prisoner.
| lie then read the statute providing for
administering the death penalty In cases
of this kind. He argued as TO tho evi-
/ dence, reviewing the most convincing
fHs...r 4
| jury 20 either inhlct the death penalty or
20 turn the prisoner loose.
This utterance brought forth applause
from the crowd, who hung on Mr.. Rich
ardsons every word. but the demon
stration was quickly checked by the
Court. Following mp his point, Mr..
Richardson said: II ask that you. as
brave men. do now arise to your duty
and inAict such penalty I'm this case
ass will deter others from tho cOmmis-
sion Of % like crime" The lawyer dWelt
nc length on the dabolic1l brutality OF
tho hend. and concluded with another
appeal for the death penalty. More app
piause was given him when he took his
seat. but the Judge silenced the spec
tators by threatening to clear the
courtroom.
Colonel Spotswood followed. ana said
he wanted the people up North TO feel
that u the Hastings Court Of Rich
moud a negro could get as good trial
as in New York. lie then after an
uOunclug that he wasn't talking 10 the
crowd reviewed the testimony with
view TO showing that the prisoner wasn't
at the Griffith residence at tho hour at
which the offence was committed He
hadn't many facts az his disposal. how
ever. and had 10 make the best OF
very weak case. The Attorney CON
cluded with an impas-ioned appeal
against what he termed judicial MUIR
der"
GIVEN TO THE JURY
Mr.. Richardson closed tho argument
M "a few earnest remarks. saying. "Take
this case. gentlemen of the jury. enter
upon your solemn duty. in view OF your
responsibility 20 your God and to your
state and with "a determination 10 up
hold law and order in our community.
and protect the virtue Of our women"
The Indictment WIS handed TO the
Jury and they retired 90 their room at
II minutes after O'Clock. ~ minutes
20 . they returned 90 the courtroom,
and with solemn mein fled into their
seats. After they had been rolIcd Clerk
Christian asked if they had agreed upon
% verdict.
eve have" replied Mr. Talbot who
acted as foreman.
"What say you. Is De guilty or not
guilty. queriel the Clerk
PAY THE DEATH PENALTY.
4 pin could have been heard 20 drop !
when Mr. Talbot. m "a low, but firm