Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-08
LACY IS ON TRIAL.
CASE HEARD ny JUDGE wADDfLL
IN THE U. s. CIRCUIT COURT.
SOME new TESTIMONY INTRODUCED.
District-Attorncy White Takes Part
I'm the PrOsecution-The Prisoner
IN the Stand Undergocs a Rigid
Cross-Examinatio

Thomas w. Lacy was arraigned petore
Judge Waddill in the United states CIR
cuit Court Yesterday, charged with em'
bezzling and secreting letters addressed
TO Rev. Father Donovan. Testimony was
submitted both by the prosecution ana
the defence, and at o'clock Z. M. the
court adjourned until this morning. when
both sides will seek to introduce evidence
in rebuttal.
The trial proved a magnet that served
10 crowd the courtroom throughout the
day. and the case was followed with the
closest interest. District-Attorney Whlte'
Of Norfolk, was associated with his as
sistant Mr. b. Rand. Wexford, in the
prosecution, and Mr.. Edgar Allan and his
son appeared for the defence.
THE PRISONER Is COOL.
The accused sat just behind his counsel
and was surrounded by his wife, his
mother. and his sister. He was perfectly
cool and collected throughout the proceed
ings. betraying no evidence OF excitement
or nervousness, even under the most try
ing circumstances, and when he was put
concise statement Of his defence, which
was not shaken. The plausibility of his
story and the candor of his manner bore
the impress OF truth, and created rea-
sonable sentiment in his favor, though
he is beset by an unbroken chain or the
most damaging circumstantial evidence.
An eminent lawyer Of this city said at
the close Of the proceedings yesterday
that the cross-examination of the prison.
err by Mr.. White was one OF the nercest
he had ever heard. 1t showed In an emil
nent degree the remarkable proclivity IN
this respect of the prosecuting attorney,
vet Lacy passed through the ordeal with
out a CULVER and even smiled several
times at what seemed to him TO be ab-
surdities in the cross-questioning' Tor
which levity he was sharply censured by
Mr. White
SOME NEW EVIDENCE INTRODUCED.
The testimony of the post-office inspec-
tors. who saw Lacy go three times 10
Father Donovan's box on the morning
IN question. which was adduced before
the commission was again heard, and
was mistaken.
Some new points were made by the
prosecution. in the production or a num-
Der of stamps found In the possession OF
the accused, anu tHtli picocHNN "No W.
very satisfactorily explained. A box con-
tanning two silk handkerchiefs was also
submitted in evidence. II had been found
In Iacy's drawer at the free-delivery win
dow on the morning of his arrest, and
the prisoner admitted that II had come
in the malls, but being unaddressed he
thought ne might appropriate 1t.
Another damaging fact brought out In
cross-examinatlon OF the accused was
I.acv's connection with the Post-OfIice
clerks Association. of which he was al
one time secretary and treasurer. He re-
signed this position on account OF some
ynniea santness which arose about his adj
ministration. and turned over the funds
or the society in instruments.
Messrs. Porter, Friend, Valentine, Red
wood and Lee, who worked with ac-
cused IN the post-office. were introduced
hv the defence. in order TO demonstrate
how impossible 1t would be for Lacy to
ia mper with mall and six character wit
n, sses who had known Lacy between
three and eight years. gave testimony as
70 his general character for honesty and
reliability.
WHAT WILL BE DONE TO-DAY.
No witness. either for the prosecution