The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-04
The Motion Stoutly Resisted by the
Prosecution.
MRS. RlDDlCK's HEALTH
The Prisoner Much Changed nnd Ap-
parcntiy Took No Notice of the
Proceedings-His Aged Father
al, His Side-Dr. Gray Testi-
hcs-A Brilliant Array
OF Counsel.
~ stan correspondentl.

ILAAsISt EN- l1LI1t-, v ~, may u
the trial of Rev. j. e. r. Riddlck io'
the murder of DR.. William II Temole
was to-day postponed until The 18th day
of May This was done because OF the
sncisposition of Mrs. Riddick, who is an
important witness for the defense
csnn.nonweaf,h's Attorney E. p. Bu1ord
at first objected 10 the continuance, but
finally consented 10 it. There were people
here from adj parts of the county, and
drtense interest was manifested in the
proceedings.
g.ne psfsoner was represented by
Messrs. I.tthaId B. Davis, of Petersburg;
~. $. Poage, of Wytheviale; Meade Has
klns, OF tnis county, and Z. {. Goode, oi
Mecklenburg.
/, Mr. Bu1ord was assisted by Hon E. w
Saunders, of Franklin county, in con-
ducting the proceedings for the Common
wealth The fashioned courtroom was
lsterally packed with people. There we're
many colored persons In the gathering.
/ THE PRISONER.
! Mr.. Rfddick has changed considerably
in appearance since his Incarceration. He
rcw wears a short, .stubby beard i1e
walked between two deputy sheriffs from
conducted through the crowd he did not
l5ok 10 une right or the left, but kept his
ewes on the moor. Tine young man TOOK
"A seat behind his counsel and at ffe siue
of his aged father, Rev. Joseph II. Rad
c.clz-
1,ne prisoner; sat with bowed head dur
ing most of the time The was in the court
rtg5m. and took no apparent notice oil
what was transpiring about nliil.
Il rIf
the commemorative Witnesses were call
ed and responded to their names Com
monweaiitn.s Attorney. Buford stated that
he was ready 10 proceed with the traal.
A CONTINUANCE,
Mr.. Davis moved continuance until
tibe next term. He said Mrs. Riddick
would be very important Witness ana
that she was at Richmond and DR. Gray
Ter physician. said her physical anu
mental condition is such that she shoulo
n3t take the trip 10 Lawrenceylile at
this time Mr.. Davis also asked for con-
ftinu4nce because VI the Illness oil Df-
Devany. who will testify in the prisoner 5
behalf. The motion was discussed brienN
tv Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Buford. The latter
asked THAT a recess be taken unul .
o.sIock when his associate. Mr.. Saunders
would be here TINS request was granted
The crowd was even larger at she
afternoon session than III the morning.
After MIR. Saunoers had been presented
To the court and qualified to practice IN
Isrqlnswack county. MI Davis renewed MS
motion for a continuance.
MRS. RIDDlCk's CONDITION.
He submitted an affidavit from Dr.
GRAY, telling of Mrs. Riddick's s condition,
and also one signed by himself. setting
forth that DIR. Derany was too III 10 at
tend Mr.. Poage submitted an aihaaNit
as 10 the maieriaiity 1f Mrs. Riddlck's
testimony Rev. Joseph j. Riddick was
introduced as a witness and examined
with reference 10 Mrs. Riddicks condl-
ton He said about q week ago ne look
the lady and her siX-weeks-od baby ana
carried them to Tie home OF ms daugh-=
ter. Mrs Todc. n Richmond she was
so weak and nervous that the trip was
a great strain upon her physical system
She was now in no condition physically
or mentally TO come. She was anxious
Ia be at the trial. and would risk her
life if necessary, to lie present LII
GRAY had said he thought he could buiid
the patient up in a month 50 as TO make
If safe for her 10 attend the trial. she
has little appetite. and is so weak meals
often have TO be sent 10 her room
MOTION RESISTED.
Mr.. Buford stated that he did not
think the eX parte statement OF me
family physician WAS sufficient GROUND
for the continuance. He suggested that
the court might designate some physician
10 visit Mrs. Rtddick and report as to
ter condition. Mr.. Davis addressed the
caur, at some length IN favor Of his mo-
ton. He recognized the Importance of
the case but said il should be regarded
and treated as any other murder case
The facts Mrs. R!ddick would relate to
the Jury were OF the greatest import
ance 10 the prisoner.
He appealed TO the court TO not per-
mil the prisoner to lose his defense. The
bringing of Mrs Riddick at this time
would probably mean the sacrifice Of the
lives of herself and her baby. As to the
sending of doctor 10 examine into the
condition of Mrs. Riddick and report.
he said II was unprecedented III prac-
tice. The thing Was also impractlcabie-
Mr. Davis said the courts had inrariabtE
held that sickness. of a material witllcss
was sufficient ground for continuing a
case. The Cour;zof Appeals has always
reversed the Judgment of the trial court
when IL was shown that Il motion for
continuance on The ground Of a material
witness b-irg III was denied.
a STRONG SPEAKER
Mr. Davis is stfons speaker. he IS
regarded as one Of tile ablest criminal
lawyers IN tlFEtfid. III 4 p<' - toiio"eu
Mr.. Davis lie is a young man. but has
already made a good reputationin South
western Virginia. He had been talk
ing but a minute before the audience
realized that the speaker was an eio-
ouent man and a strong pleader.
His remarks We're along the same ,ina
as the argument made by lMr. Davis. He
Impressed upon the court that if il was
true that public opinion demanded the
.Sa pyiSonpr when his n1oSfEi0o-
nortan. witness would have to be absent,
that was an additional reason for the
continuance He had read IN the Rich
mond papers that the citizens Of Bruins
wick were ,aw-ab!ding people. He be-
lieyed This 10 be true. and he also ba-