The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-08

growth and multiplication, yet the tes-
tsmony did not show this to be true
Mr. Saunders attached no importance
to what Rtddick said to Col. Tillman about
Furnishing 4 man who would insult a
lady under his charge. a man did not
ceases TO be man when he became a
preacher. Probably thousands of other
ministers had. in a social way, discussed
with members Of their churches, ques-
tons similar to this. The speaker laid
great stress upon the fact that nothing
was heard about the Divine commission
to Kill until after the crime had been COM
mitted.
RIDICULED THE IDEA.
He ridiculed the idea that any one Of
Gods agents believing he was executing
the will Of the Father, would have, COM
ing from the scene of the performance Of
duty asked his neghbors to suspend
judgment
Nir. Saunders took up the question of
the motive. He referred to Riddick' s
sensitive and suspicious nature. and told
the jury that he had come to the most
important feature Of the case. Tho jury
Should be fully convinced Of the evidence
that Riddick received from his wife intor-
mation-by misapprehenston, perhaps
that DR.. Temple had made an improper
examination Of her. All the testimony
tended to confirm this view Of the case.
1t appeared very much as If the prisoner
was infamed by human passion, and not
impelled by a divine commission to shoot
DR.. Temple.
1t was absurd to believe that one who
was deluded into the belief that he was
doing Gods will would ask to be taken
to his wife. in order that he might sat
isfy his own mind. The speaker con-
tended that 1t was fully proved that Mrs.
Riddick did tell her husband that he had
misunderstood her, and had done wrong
in his attack upon DR.. Temple.
FOR A FROLTC.
Mr.. Saunders impressed upon the jury
that Riddick had said that DR.. Temple.
when he came to examine his wife,
remarked that it was a fine night for a
frolic, and that when he went to Kill the
Doctor he told him it was a fine morn
ing for a froic.
Riddick being deaf, his wife must have
told him what the physician had said.
The speaker argued from this and kin
dred circumstances that there was a-sane
motive for a sane act, and DR.. Taylor
had said if the human motive could be
shown he would not believe man in the
hypothetical case insane
Mr. Saunders challenged any one to
show him from the evidence any delusion
that Riddicl1 labored under since he came
to Brunswick county prior to the tragedy
III y
could not regard the accused as insane
because, as a youth nearly twenty years
ago. he talked about killing himself, when
there was no evidence that he had since
that time limited at suicide.
Mr.. Saunders contended that it was alb
surd to argue that because Riddick doubt
ed that he had beer called by God to
preach the gospel, and that he complained
of prayers of good old ladies for him to
become preacher, he was insane, nor was
the prisoners changes of belief in certain
religious doctrines deserving of any con-
sideration in deciding the sanity or insan-
ity of the accused.
DANGEROUS DOCTRINE
The speaker argued that it was dan
gerous doctrine to set up that R!ddick
could be a successful student. an able
preacher. a faithful pastor, discharging
all his duties to his Church and to So
ciety and never display any signs Of an
unbalanced mind while residing in Bruns-
wick county, and yet, be held irresponsible
when he goes out and kills human being.
He held that the testimony of some forty
or fifty of Riddick's old neighbors, who
had ample opportunities for OBSERVING,
should weigh more with the jury than
the testimony of experts.
Mr.. Saunders had not concluded, when
the recess was taken for dinner.
Mr.. Saunders occupied about an nour
after dinner. He closed his address win
Fourth page.)