Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-13
CAPT. PRINCE
BREAKS DOWN.
Continued from Page 2.

Continued from Page 2.
TO testify as to II record of the State
court in the case, but WAS Withdrawn
without teStifying
The District Attorney announced that
the government had finished it's evil
dcnce and would rest It's case.
1T being near the hour of adjourn
ment. Judge WILCOX asked that the
court adjourn for dinner in order that
the defense might have time to pre-
pare to begin it's testimony this after
noon. He said this recess would enable
the attorneys TO arrange for witnesses
and would facilitate the presentation of
the case.
The court adjourned at 1 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Promptly at 2:S0 O'Clock the crowd
was ready for the continuation of the
Prince trial The jury was present and
many OF the members of the bar were
there. but the court did not convene
till 2 So The crowd of spectators was
greater than the seats would accom-
modatc. so that many persons were
standing i'll the aisles and in the gall
lery.
CAPT. FRINGE SWORN.
The defense began its case without
any preIiminaries, except the oath to
the prisoner.
Captain Prince took the witness
chair and sat calmly awaiting ques-
tons for three or four minutes. while
Judge r r. Prentis took seat on the
bench beside Judge Waddill. This was
simply the courtesy that the judge of
one court always extends to the judge
OF another court. who appears when
the court is in session.
Captain Prince looked well. but pale.
He was evidently under great re-
straint He showed symptoms of sup
pressed emotion that were easily rec
ognizcd even by those who did not
know him. but he walked with Il firm
stride and after he sat in the wit
ness chair he spok" in voice easily
! audible. but evidently liable TO break.
PRISONER TESTITIES.
Captain Prince said: am the NJ. j.
Prince charged with killing Charles
j. Cannon; | am ~ years of age born
| in Richmond; have been married thir-
teen years: known Charles J. Cannon
for thirty years. since we We're school
| boys; L worked by his side in ships
hold for several years. l his
| best man when he was married. He
was god -father to one OF my children.
| | received these letters (rcferrcd to ut
| mornings session of the CourO, from
! Mrs. Cannon at night on July 18th.
She sent for me and / went upstairs
and got them. said this letter was
mailed today" SAID She went to the
bar (her husband - and was looking
over the mail saw the letter addressed
in woman's hand. and took it. She
said the other letter was received
about three months before. She told
me she had written me an anonymous
letter. The witness here Identified the
anonymous letter Tin evidence in the
morning., as the one lie had received.
ASKS FOR MONEY.
~ letter was mere shown witness and
he said it was in his wife's hand, writ
ing and he received IL on August Isl.
He read 1t as follows:
&C. Send me $40. am In more
trouble than | ever was in my life. L
will tell you all when see you
| received the letter from my wife
at my house. She was hurricdly en-
tering one OF the bed chambers. She
went into the room eXcitedly. | saw
piece OF white paper sticking out
OF her hand. Prisoner here got up and
described his wifes action. She went
down stairs. he said: he followed her
and saw her throw the letter away.
lie picked up the letter and she tried
to get it from him. He then and there
charged his wife with infidelity 10 him
and with Charles j. Cannon.
The prisoner was here asked If his
wife denied the charge of iniidelity
when he made it.
The District Attorney objected on the
ground that the person whose lam
guaSe was to he quoted was the wife
of the prisoner. and not a competent
witness in the case.
CAUSE OF TRAGEDY.
N. Thorp. OF counsel for the pris-
oner, insisted that The statement that
Mrs. Prince then made should so be-
fore the jury and he intimated that
IL was to the effect that Mrs. Prince
told her husband at that time that
Cannon had terrorizcd her and done
that statement of Mrs. Prince to her
husband was what caused the prison
er TO shoot Cannon.
MOTIVE OF THE CRIME.
Gen. Allan said that when a person
could not testify under oath himself,
testimony cannot be introduced for
such a person. II the witness can't
| testify no one can testify for him. y
| wife cannot testify for or against her
| husband. That has been held on
ground of public policy.
Mr.. Thorp said The rules of evidence
never did prohibit such evidence as
this. This is not testimony that pass
| ed between The usband and Wife. Ii
is an independent fact. Is there any
/ way OF proving what was the moving
| cause of this act? If the prisoner
acted on that evidence ii should be in
I troduCed. There is no other way to
! show the motive. This evidence Will
show to the people OF Norfolk and Viz
| ginia that THIS man has done what any
! other man would have done under the
| circums tances.
JUDGE WILCOX PLEADS.
| Judge WILCOX said it does seem that