Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-22
Is What the Jury in Walter
Gotton's Case.
FoR KILLING cHAs. WYATT
rhe Trial l.a-tca Three .Dnys-scvcm
Hours nnd I.n,i of Tho mira Day
Consumed In Argument Cotton
Unnnvcd by tho verdict Motion
for New rrinl Made The Prison
or srnIs Ell TO the Nario,n jail.

The Cotton trial began its third day
yesterday morning ut 1880 o'clock in
the Hastings Court for the city OF
Portsmouth. and like the two preceding
days, Il large and Interested crowd of
spectators gathered to hear ana see
what was going on.
The prisoner did not appear to be
more interested than usual. he show
ing all through his trial an apparent
Inconcern that was just simply aston
ishing for 81 man in his position
1t was expected yesterday morning
that counsel for the prisoner. Nlessrs.
w. H. Parker and l.. c. Phillips, would
put two or more witnesses on the stand
to prove Cottons Whereabouts that
night or morning Of August Srd last,
but the supposed witnesses did not ma
terinl!ze, they, however, putting on Il
woman named "Sissie" Bell to show
that it was Friday and not Thursday
when Cotton exhibited the Wyatt watch
to the woman Emma Hill.
THE ARGUMENT BEGUN.
AS soon rs this witness had deposcd
argument began Captain Chas r.
Bland opened for the prosecution, he
occupying two hours in the presenta-
ton of his side OF the case. and the at
tention of the court, the jury and the
vast assemblage was firmly held from,
the beginning To the end by this gen
tlernan, who in n concise manner cover
ed all OF the points in the case.
He was followed by Mr. Louis c.
Phillips, who in a dispassonate and
strong argument, reviewed the case III
all It's phases, impressing the jury with
his earnestness in the duty imposed
upon him. He was eloquent and effec-
tive and occupied about an hour and
fifteen minutes.
y recess was then taken to $50
O'Clock, when court again assembled
ana Mr.. w. II. Parker began what
proved TO be Il splendid argument in be-
half of the accused. He spoke for more
than two hours. and many of his flights
of eloqucnce and orutory were efforts
would benefit Cotton fail to be under
stood by the jury, ana closed his adj
dress quoting poetry.
Colonel *. X. Griffin closed in a
speech OF about two hours, and this
doughty warrior of the law did not in
1ure the reputation he bears for sound
and close reasoning.
lie showed the different points Of
weakness in the defense in smch a man
ner that one could not fail to see what
the ultimate result Of the trial would
be, and as soon as he had concluded
his argument the case was given to
the jury. it being then about 1880
o'clock.
MURDER IN FIRST DEGREE.
The jury retired and ten minutes
later they came into court having
agreed upon verdict ana that verdict
was that Walter Cotton was guilty OF
murder In the first degree.
The prisoner showed no emotion
whatever. not a muscle OF his face
showing that he in any way appre-
ciated what that verdict meant to him,
and when he stood up to hear ii lie did
not appear to be paying any particular
attention to what the clerk was say
ing or doing.
Counsel for Cotton moved for n new
trial. which motion will be argued later
Immediately upon the adjournment
OF court Cotton WAS securely shackled
and taken TO the Jail In Norfolk city
that Jail being considered stronger
than ours. this prccaution being taken
TO give him no opportunity to escape.