The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-21
The Famous Murder Trial at FARM
vile Concluded.
THE CASE HOTLY CONTESTED.
Able Counsel HIade Strenuous Efforts
60 Save the Life OF the Prisoner.
Judge Mann's Eloquent Appeal
Motion to Set Aside the YER
dict To Be Argued
Wednesday.

FARMVILLB. VA, Aug. 2o-spccial.-
Murder in tho first degre is the verdict
recorded against Thomas W. Price, who
on the 10Th Of July, took the life OF Han
Carter.
After being out for one i.orr and
half. the jury filed into tie courtroom
AT 5.55. From the sad and serious express
sion upon the face OF each juror as ne
approached the clerks desk could be read
tbe decision arrived az. Before allowing
the jury TO come into court, Judge Crule
warned the large crowd present OF his
determination not 10 have any demon
stration whatsoever. The occasion Judge
Crute said was one of the sa1aeat ana
most serious ever known in the county
and he hoped the good sense OF 1ioas
present would show them the propIleiy
OF orderly conduct
THB PRISONER CALM.
The prisoner was ordered TO stand
nm while the Jurors looked upon Am
erd the verdict announced. The prisoner
calmly took his seat and for several
minutes showed no emotion. lie reach
ga forward and whispered into the ear
of his counsel Judge Mann, and 1he
Judge nodded as il bee assented to what
was said.
Immediately behind the convicted man
sat his grief-sulcken brother seFeih
years his senior. 10 was the most pa
fhctic sccne ever Witnessed here, ana
many a nltving eve found its way 10 de
silver-haired man, who has sacrificed 20
nearly an of his savings 10 spare MS
brother from the gailows. and VINO now
n life's hickering eyeningtide' mas TINS
sad and crushing blow upon MN.
After the instructions mad been given
to the jury this morning Mr w. G.
Franklin offered the argument FOR tie
prosecution. lie spoke for one hour. lie
told the Jury it was enc saddes- cas3
hs had ever engaged I'm I'm his life. as
for years be had known well the prisoner
and the murdered man. lie said IL was a
far worse crime than the killing of Mrs.
Pollard by Solomon MaraOle, althoush
the latter not happening In this county
was tried here. lie ridiculed the display
of affection between the aged wife and
her husband when Mrs. Price came INTO
cour- 20 testify, and said Il was "a strange
circumstance thar the court had 20 force
the old lady 20 come here in the prison.
ers behalf lie made strong appeal Tor
"a verdict OF death.
IL AfAfla VI ANN - - tfH-AAs
Judge Mann. for the prisoner. spoke
for two and a half hours, and his EFFORT
was the most mastery ever heard in
! this court. lie pointed ont the discrep-
anc.es Of the Commonwealth's witnesses
and insisted that there had 20 be clear
F, proof OF that there was malice afore-
though. before "A verdict could be given
against his client TO elevate the Of
fence 10 murder In the first degree the
burden rested upon the Commonwealth,
and IL the testimony was not clear the
I defence had only 10 show that II was
muddy. lie took up the testimony OF
each important witness ana discussed
| IL ably.
judge Mann's plea was brilliant one.
and though the crowd was dense clear
back 10 the courthouse corridor, during
the intervals Hhis unsurpassed oraiory
/, a whisper could Doe heard through the
room.
Judge watkins closed the argument for
the State. lie discredted the testimony
! OF both prisoner and his vile. upon which
alone the defence had 90 rest its case.
lie severely arraigned the prisoner say
ing that he entered upon the case with
the fixed opinion that Thomas W. Price
was either guilty Of wiifui. malicious
and premeditated murder or he was not
guilty OF any offence. lie could expect.
theref,re no middle-ground verdict from
the jury.
As soon as the jury was discharged
rudra Mann asked the Court thar the voF-
/ diet be set aside.
MOTION TO BE ARGUED.
Tha attorneys on both sides agreeing
! the Court set next Wednesday % hear
/ argument upon the motion.
| The jury was composed OF twelve as
! GOOD men as could be found in Prince
Continued on Sixth Page)