Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-05
DEATH PENALTY AT rErERsnuRa
The Morton Cnse-sudden Death OF
n Lady-Other Notcfs.

n Lndy-Other Notcis.
PETERSBURG, Va, August 4.-tSpe-
cial) --In the Hastings Court this morn
Ing Robert Morton was put on trial for
his life for the murder OF young George
H. Westmoreland. at west-End Park.
on the evening OF June 18th last. There
was no delay or difficulty In obtaining
a good jury. Judge ID. A. Hinton was
counsel for Morton when the case was
first called, several days ago. but with
drew when the Court overruled his mo-
ton to continue the trial until Septem-
Der. because OF the absence Of mate
rial witness. Mr.. James 7. Rahily, was,
thereupon. assigned as counsel for the
defendant, and continuance was grant
ed until to-day, In order for him TO make
proper preparation for the defence. His
conduct and management Of the case,
with the weight of testimony against
him, was able.
The Commonwealth got through with
its direct testimony by II o'clock, and II
did not differ materially from the facts
heretofore published. In brief II was TO
the effect that young Westmoreland, his
brother, and two or three other friends
went out TO West-End Park with their
bicycles: that after riding around the
track several times they alighted 10 rest
in the shade. leaving their bicycles
against the track railing; that while thus
resting Morton came along and kicked
against Mr.. Westmorelands bike, and
when spoken to about 1t and told not
TO do so again Morton turned and cursed
and abused the young men; told them he
would kick them, and otherwise threaten
ed them; that without further words he
drew his pistol and fired, as though to
carry out his threats. Mr.. T. II. West
moreland called TO Morton not TO shoot
and ran forward and seized him 10 take
his pistol away and prevent him from
doing any damage. During the scutle
for the weapon Morton fired once or
twice-the last shot entering George
Westmorelands forehead, causing death.
The latter was going to his brothers
assistance at the time he was shot.
Morton was then overpoWered and turned
over to an officer.
The Commonwealth witnesses testi-
fed that while Morton had evidently been
drinking to some extent, he was sober
enough to know what he was doing.
The main effort Of the defence was to
prove that Morton had taken number
of drinks during the afternoon, and that
he was drunk when he reached the park.
II was not denied that he had killed Mr..
Westmoreland, but it was sought TO
prove that he was too drunk to have de
liberately premeditated the murder, and
that, therefore, he did not commit muir
der in the first degree.
The evidence was concluded at 2S0 p.
NJ, with a very strong case made out
for the Commonwealth.
When the court met again at o'clock,
instructions as agreed upon by both
sides were read to the jury by Judge
Mullen, and the argument was begun,
concluding at $50. The jury were out
about twenty minutes, and then returned
a verdict of murder I'm the first degree.
Morton took the verdict with perfect
composure and without the quiver of
muscle. Indeed, it would seem that he
had made up his mind, in view Of his
thoroughly unjustifiable and unprovoked
crime. that he would suffer the penalty
of death, and, therefore was prepared
to face the verdict of the jury.
1t Is reported that in the first ballot
the jury were unanimous for the death
penalty, and that they remained out as
long as they did merely as a matter of
argued at IL o'clock tomorrow.
DEATH OF AN ESTIMABLE LADY.
Miss Eliza Eckles died quite suddenly
of heart disease about o'clock this
morning. at the residence Of her brother,
Mr.. i. r. Eckles, on Adams street. She
has been a sufferer from heart affection
for some time, and had been sick for
several days, but 1t was not thought Sc
riously. Death came very unexpectedly
as stated above. Miss Eckles was a lady
of lovely Christian character, and greatly
beloved by large circle of friends.
GENERAL NEWS.
The remains of Bishop j. II. D. Win
field, of California, are expected TO reach
here tomorrow. They will be taken 10
ST. Paups church, OF which he was form
erly rector, where the funeral services
will take place. The body viii be buried
in the family square in Blandford.
Mr.. William Malone will enter upon
his duties as Collector Of Customs Of this
port as soon as his bond is approved by
the department at Washington.
4 number Of fine watermelons were
stolen last night from the City Aims
house farm.
The cases Of Gustina Coleman and Sid
ney Blackwell (colored). charged with the
larceny OF SSS from the mother of the
woman, were dismissed I'm the Mayors
Court this morning, the evidence not be-
ing sufficient to sustain the charge.