The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-24
WALTER WOOD
IS A FREE NAN.
Acquitted of the Murder Of Jack
Gloven.
A VERY REMARKABLE TRIAL.
His First Verdict Was Fifteen Years
in tho Pcnitentiary-Thc Prose
cu1in. Attorney IL as Since Died.
History of the Case.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA, Feb. 2S.-spe-
cial.-The jury which tried Walter Wood
this week for the murder OF Jack Glovcn
this morning at II O'Clock returned YER
diet of not guilty.
The case is one of the most notable in
The record of The Corporation Court of
this city. Wood had formerly been
bartender for Gloven, who, though known
as dangerous man when aroused. had
the the reputation FOR being absolutely
square with those with whom he had
business transactions. Wood. though II
small man. also had a reputation as
dangerous person.
He and Gioven qrarreled and separated
Upon one occasion Gioven beat him bru-
tally. according 10 testimony. 1t was,
however, some time after this event
on January y. 1899. TO be eEoct-that
Wood. armed with n revolver. went down
on Twenty-third street and found Gloren
sitting in front OF his pace Of business
According 10 the evidence he asked G!o-
ven to step across the street to vacant
lot and tight 4 duel with him. GloHenr
If the testimony of several witnesses Is
credible. was UnarTned. IIe expressed
his readiness to fight and started in the
house for his revolver. AS he was max
ing for the door Wood sho: him. The
defence claimed that Wood thought Clio
ven WAS armed: that GIoven. with his
hand thrust behind him as though reach
ing for his hip pocket. was advancing
on Mood instead OF going into the house.
CONFLICT OF TESTIMONY.
Thus it Will be seen there was a flat,
direct contradiction of testimony on both
sides There were, 100. almost as many
1.I4 -nif Fjnfn IN
theory as there were to swear TO the
theory that the murder was unprovoked.
The jury was left TO decide between the
veracitT of the witnesses and to figure
out the probabilities OF the situation.
The first trial was q memorable one
lasting a week Commemorative Attor-
ney j. X. N. Newton. now dead, con-
Quoted the States case in Il remarkably
thorough and effective manner. and his
fra, address to the jury was one Of the
finest things in the way of argument
ever made before a Newport News court.
The defence was handled in brilliant
manner by. Il. NJ. Lett and Colonel II. Z.
Boykin. OF Isle of Wight. then partners
When the case went TO the jury IL
seemed probable that first degree YER
diet would be returned. The jury, how
ever. found lhe prisoner guilty of muir
der in the second degree and fixed his
punishment at fifteen years in the peni-
Tertiary.
The usual motion to set aside the YER
dIct was made. and his Honor Judge
Earham, after hearing the argument on
the motion decided to sustain the motion.
The case was set for retrial seVera!
times but Was postponed for one reason
o. another until last Monday, when the
new trial began
CHANCES IMPROVE.
1t was realized that Moods chances
were much better tnan they were at the
first trial. a number of the States: most
important Witnesses had disappeared,
among them Phillip Perez. who saw the
shooting and was largely instrumental IN
convicting The prisoner the first time.
Only one of the lawyers who partici-
pated in the first trial was in the case.
Mr.. Lett. who some months ago dis
solved partnership with Colonel Boylsin.
In the Colonies stead, there was re-
tanned for the defense. C. c. Mitchell,
an able criminal lawyer. c. V. Robin
son. the newly-appointed Common
wealtt's Attorney, associated with him
Coloue! J. C. Baker. These gentlemen,
as matter Of course, We're handicapped
not only by the absence Of material
witnesses, but by the fact that they had
TO take the case UP in TIE middle.
All day Monday was devoted to an
effort to secure !; panel from which 10
select a jury. This panel was not COM
pletcd until Tuesday morning. when The
taking of evidence began. BY o'clock
"Wednesday afternoon the evidence was
all III and instructions. practically the
same as those used at the first trial,
We're With the jury. Argument was con-
cludcd Wednesday night.
THE VERDICT.
The attorneys on both sides addressed
the jury with unusual ability. though
briefly. Il was hoped that Z. verdict
would be obtained Wednesday night. but
the jury could not agree. Judge Bar
nam would not hold court yesterday,
1t being Il legal holiday, and, according
~, held the jury over until this morn
ing. Shortly after court convened,
word was sent III that Il verdict had
been agreed upon. Fifteen minutes
later Matter Wood, who had been a
prisoner for over Year III fail, and who
had stood almost within the gates of the
penteniiary. walked out of court a free
man. He was warmly congratulated by
his friends and Messrs. Lett and
Mitchell are still receiving congratulate
tone upon what is looked upon as a re-
markable legal victory.
1T was stated this morning upcr ex>
cellcnt authority that the jury apoa the
first ballot. stood eleven to one for ac-
Guittal. This was the ballot up until
the last. when the twelfth man finally
gave in
Aside from his connection with this
case. Moods chief claim TO notcriety
consisted in the fact THAI he was one
of the best pool players in Virginia
This Is the second acquit,al in murder
cases since Mr.. Newton.s death There
is still another case. left by him. to BIZ
tried-that OF Billy o'Boyle. who Is
charged with the murder of Alma Ham
ilton mulatto woman. OBoyie was
found guilty of murder in the first de-
gree at his first trial. A motion for a
new trial is now pending. and will prob