The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-19
MAY BARRETT TRIAL.
The Case Given To the Jury After Ex-
haustivc Argument by Counsel.

LOUISA VA, August N.-Special.-No
trial that has occurred in this county
for years has excited the widespread in
tcrest that the May-Barret shooting case
now pending here before Judge sims has,
and now on the third. as on the first day.
Tho courthouse IS thrOnged with an in
teresied audience. The prominence Of the
parties, the many almost dramatic fea-
lures OF the case; the array Of noted law
ycrs for the prosecution and defence,
and the large circle Of relatives on both
sides. has served to Intensity the feel
ings OF all classes so that IL has been
the universal topic Of conversation since
the Inflated 9th Of May.
The first day was largely occupied in
the selection Of "a jury (Which by the way
SIS an exceptionally intelligent one), and
the second in the examination Of wit
ncsses.
Much OF the testimony was of SEN
sati0nal character. which, interspcrsed
with the inevitable legal squabbles Of
counsel kept spectators on the qui vive.
The third day opened wish prayers for
Instructions 90 the jury the reading Of
the same and as 1 write General yield
s On the midst OF his opening address 10
the jury n behalf of the commonwealth.
lie made some strong points in lis re
view VT the evidence.
infer from his opening remarks that
bic volunteered Dis services, as he has
long been "a personal friend Of the father
Of young May and a member Of the same
church den0minationany as Prof. May.
Opinions differ as % probable verdict
but the consensus of opinion seems to pe
that an acQuittal is not 10 ho expected,
bat that punishment viii take the form
Of enc.
Iater-The case has gone 10 the jury
after exhaustive arguments for TIE de-
Tense by Mcssrs McCa1e Shelton. bod
and Loakc. and by closing presentation
bv commonwealth Attorney Gordon IN a
two hours speech.
Both sides were ably handled amid tho
almost GREATNESS attention of a large aldi-
ence. Al 1880 Il. NJ. interest uuao4teu ana
opinions differ as 20 final outcome.
From the testimony in the case the
cause that gave rise 10 the shooting IS
that j. G.. May was not satisfied with
Young Harret being 50 much I'm company
with his wife, and he told The lat
ter that their associations must cease.
Young Barret got an intimaton OF
Mays AFFECTION 60 his further visits 90
hts wife and sought an interview with
May ai his law office. fight resulted
there between thestwO men. neither gel-
ting hurt much. Young Barrett had heard
Chat May had mistreated and truck ms
wife. who. before their marriage, was ms
sweetheart. He informed May In his
office that he should not mistreat her,
and that DE would be a brother 20 her
and protect her, whereupon May sald
10 Barrett that he was ofiicious, ana ailer
charging him with impudence. struck nm.
The combatants separated ana agreed 10
let the matter drop. The fact is that May
had not abused his wife. but he objected
to Young Barrets attentions 30 her ana
demanded a cessation of his visits.
Dr. Barrett could NOT get his son 10
tell him anything about ne fsticun ne
had with May ana he then sought the
latter ON the sidewalk OF the town. May
likewise refused TO ten anything Df'
Barrett became irritated and insulted
Nav and they fought with chairs. Each
struck al the Otner with chairs. Inc
chairs crashed and Dr. Barrcts was
broken and knocked some distance from
bis hands. Mr.. May kept his ,chair uplift-
ed over Dr. Barrets head. as the lat
ten rushed under 10 seize him. and DO
was at this moment that Young Barret
fired the pistol
me ilrlmnNA OF many OF lit' ''i'i'i
wealth's witnesses is, that young barret
said be fired 10 disable May so that he
would Not l,ll his father by striking him
ON the head.
The turning point I'm the case is. 'Wheth-
er Earret had a legal right. under the
circumstance 90 shoot May
SO testimony was before the court 10
show that Or. Barrett and his son had
planned the sad affair. ON the con-
trary. in the light OF the evidence, 1t APP
pears that the shooting was a surprise 10
young Barrett