Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-19
TIE TRIAL AT LOUISA
THE MAY-BARRET SHOOTING CASE
ATTRACTS MUCH ATTENTION.
FINE SPEECHES BY The LAWYERS.
General Fields Argument for inc
Prosecution - Judge McCa"e I'm"
Messrs. shelton and Bibb Speak
for the Prisoner.

| LOUISA. VA. August 1s.-(Speciai)-
There is no abatement OF interest IN 'he
May-Barret trial. Court opened at sio
this morning. and the courtroom soon
filled with spectators. among them peing
a large number Of ladies. who sat imrne-
diately behind the lawyers.
Judge Sims consumed nearly an hour
and a half I'm reading the thirteen long
instructions covering the law In the case
TO the lawyers and then again TO the jury
after they took their seats.
General James G. Field led off with the
opening speech for the Commonwealth.
He said he was In the case at the request
of his young friend. J. G.. May, who was
q member Of his profession, and that he
always felt under obligations to a brother
lawyer. He likewise alluded to Rev.
1. N. May. the father, with whom
he was intimate, and in whose church he
was member. General Field said he had
no apologies 10 make for being In
the case. He made a powerful effort 10
show that there was no necessity LOT
the shooting, and, therefore, that II was
not self-defence on the part or X. L. -
Barrett to shoot to save his father. The
sneaker sought 10 blast the character OF
the prisoner, and stated that his former
good standing should have nothing 20 do
with his case after he had committed
a crime.
THE DEFENCE.
Judge ]. 3. McCabe made the first
speech for the defence. He is beautiful
and forcibIe orator. He replied to Gene
raj Field on the point Of self-defence'
and handled the evidence masterfully'
asserting that young Barrett had nothing
TO do but to shoot. 1t will be remeIn-
bered. he said, that most OF the wit
nesses of the Commonwealth testified that
J. &. May had the chair above young
Barrets head when Barret fred at May.
He claimed that the law JUSTIFIED son
in shooting dead a man who was ABOUT
to seriously injure his father. Judge Nc
Cabe said he deplOred the affair as much
as any man. but that every prisoner was
entitled TO a verdict OF acquittal in case
OF doubt. He said further, that when
the scales were evenly balanced then
the downy hand of mercy should turn
them I'm favor of the accused. The
sneaker made q strong, logical argument,
and confined himself strictly to the facts
in issue.
Judge McCabe was warmly congratu-
lated by a large number Of ladies and
gentlemen at the conclusion of his ad-
dress
James i, Shelton was the second lawyer
to speak for the defence. 1t fell
to his lot TO read and discuss the Volum-
nous instructions before the jury.
and, although a young man and young
lawyer at the bar. ne acquitted himself
with much distinction. He made some
sharp thrusts at General Field. and
charged him frequently with misappre-
hension and misconstruction OF the tes-
He forciby portrayed the con-
Trajectory character OF the Common
wealth's witnesses, and at many times
grew eloquent.
w. Z. Bibb. former Commonwealth's
Attorney OF Louisa, made the third speech
for the defence He began speaking
at A o'clock, and defended the prisoner
with much feeling. His speech was an
able one, indeed.
Judge Andrew *. Leake Will follow
Mr.. Bibb. and no doubt 5e will sustain
his wel-known reputation as one OF the
ablest criminal lawyers in Virginia.
Commonwealth s-Attorney X. L. Cor
don will close the argument. verdict
will hardly be reached before tomorrow