The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-12

Frenger murder trial, was the star day
of the investigation. as the father, sister
and the prisoners mother the latter Of
whom was with HIM a. the time OF the
fatal midnight shot. when Edward Mer-
rift was killed on the I'renger place, were
examined.
FRENGER ON THE STAND.
The prisoner himsel II was also put on
the stand and given a searching cross
examination by Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney Ker. who conducted the States
case during most Of the day in the abb
sence and Illness of Commonwealth At
torney white
The prisoners mother told how two
negro women named Mamie and Har-
riet Smith. barefooted and in night
clothes cline - the Frenger homestead
declaring that some one had broken into
the clubhouse.
FOLLOWED HER son.
Mrs. Frenger following her son with
lantern told how she heard the sons shot
and thought she heard two slight groans
thereafter. and that then hearing two
snaps Of a pistol he fired five other times.
The prisoner told his mother, Il believe
have shot some one" She said, you
r,plied: II believe it is Ed Merritt"
u cts get away from here we are in
Danger
NJ Ich discussion followed as TO the adj
miss 'bility Of the evidence touching
there 'ofore talks OF robbery in the neigh
borhocd
CALKED OF ROBBERY.
Finally the witness testified that her
son talktd about robbery the night be-
fore She declared we both expected TO
be shot ev cry minute. She with the Ian
tern and h or son went 10 the body. She
thought oOby touched Mcrritts face
and said he believed 1t was Ed Merritt
The witness depOsed as 10 the friendly
relation betwee n the accused and the de-
ceased. She denied saying as Sam Hutch
ins state she exclaimed: HE shot him
without a word a nd the worst OF 1t is.
il IS Ed Merritt"
DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE SHOT.
ON the stand the accused said he heard
the negro women say burglars or robbers
have broken in, seizing his gun ne went
IN the clubhouse and in the obscure moon
LIGHT did not know whether the objecr
was a horse. cow or what. Having both
barrels cooked as l left home l shot.
Heard a sound there like Ugh Arriv-
ing at the kitchen door saw some ono
lNlnE there. MOlnti Sdfes <ailtH' SfiiN 10
is Merritts overcoat, hut / didn't know
for certain until the coroners jury told
me next morning.
THOUGHT IT WAS ROBBERS.
"As went 20 the house 1 thought it was
a band Of robbers. The overcoat first
suggested IL was Merritt"
Prosecutor Ker gave the prisoner ~
most vigorous s-examination. but the
court overruled his attempt to show that
the prisoners statement here that he
could not say whether il was a horse.
COW or man, AT the time OF the shot was
opposed 10 Frengers statement at tho
coroners inquest.
He declared that he may have touched
the face as he went 10 the Frustrated
body. but did not know whether he did
or not. He acknowledged that he said
standing by the body, that he then be-
lieved IL was Merritt from his overcoat.
but did not know it." Frenger acknowl-
edged that he did not attempt 10 make
an examination, but turned and went
home.
Afterward he testified that 10 no man
did he say he thought It was Ed. Mer-
ritt. The courthouse was packed with
a crowd
Tomorrow will be begun rebuttal tes-
timony which is likely with the instruc-
lions will consume the day. so that a.
verdict is not expected before Monday
night