The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-09
Rare Treats Of EIoquence, Logic and
Pathos.
HUNG JURY NOT LIKEL Y.
Mr.. Burord, Who is Making the Clos
ing Address, is Indisposcd and the
Court Adjourned EARLY at His
Rcquest-CoScnt Reasoning
on The Insanity Plea.
Mr.. Davis Specch.
lstaff Corresnondence.l


LAWRENCEEILLE, VA, June S.-Rev.
Roane Riddck will probably know his fate
by noon tomorrow. All the lawyers for
the defense have spoken, and Common
wealths Attorney Buford was nearly half
through with his closing argument when
the court adjourned this evening
He will conclude in about three hours
Tomorrow. 1t is understood that the jury
will easily reach verdict Of not suiliy
on account of insanity
This report may or may not be true, put
there are good reasons Tor believing 'iias
it will not be hung jury All the speeches
have been above the average.
The spectators have enjoyed rare treat
of eloquence, logic and pRthos.
THE ARGUMENT.
1t was about half past eight o'clock this
morning when Mr.. e. c. Goode began his
address to the jury. in defense OF ReV.
J. E. r. Riddick-
Less than half the seats in the court
room were occupied, but the crowd rapidly
Increased in numbers. Mr.. Goode has a
bass voice that would be a fortune to the
professional singer He did not talk to
the spectators, but spoke directly to the
jury.
The lawyers first argument, in support
of the plea of insanity, was with refer
ence to Riddc5's ancestors. The evidence
showed that he had come OF degenerate
stock, and the lines in insanity were as
firmly bred in him as in any living man
Mr. GCode called attention to the prison.
er's early life, of how ne was disposed to
he moody and Showed a disposition to be
alone; when quite young he was attacked
by St Vitus dance, and was i'll for a long
time; in the early seventies ne was des-
rerately i'll witt typhoid lever, at Clarks-
vile. Va.
The attorney followed Riddck through
his college days, and declared that when
the young man was in South Carolina the
evidences of mis- unbalanced rnind We're
beginning 10 form a stream so broad and
deep that the conscientious juror couio
not get around it.
MINISTERIAL CAREER.
He next went over the prisoners career
as a minister, cOntending that evidences
OF the mans insanity had rapidly multi
piled.
Referring to the testimony Of Presiding
Elder T. H Campbell. Mr.. Goode said
that gentleman, While admitting that Rid
dick was d moody, Enorose and gloomy
man and held strange views at times.
would not admit that RIddick was in
sane.
Il think I can tell you why Mr.. Camp
DGII ilOL 50 lIlstS Ill sSitt 49, :.
Goode He had been Riddick's presiding
elder. To have said ne believed the young
man insane and permitted him TO continue
TO preach the gospel would have called
forth an explanation from the Confer
ence, and, like a sheep before it's SHARED,
Mr.. Campbell would have been dumb l do
not mean 10 say that Mr.. Campbell did
not tell the jury just what he believed
for he is a good man, but l think the
i,,ic t,oI n
clIision lie gave
Mr. Goode said Riddicl1's conduct to-
ward his good old father proved him to
be either a crazy man or a fiend incar-
nate 1t would be preposterous 10 be-
lieve a sane man would divide his money
with his father with the understanding
that it would be paid back out OF pro-
ceeds from an insurance policy at his
parents death, and few months later be
found abusing that father bacause he
could not return that money at once.
A TELLING REPLY.
Mr. GoOde made telling reply tG the
argument of the prosecution that the fact
that Riddick had been a successful pas
tor preached able sermons and attended
TO all his social duties proved him sane.
He replied by citing two cases. One was
this: A few years ago there lived at
Boydton a lawyer Of So years. He was
the ablest attorney that has practiced at
MeckIenburg in Mir. Goodies recollection.
He had a brilliant mind, This lawyer was
sant as a delegate to the convention that
nominated Phil. Mckinney for Governor
in 1884. That night he made one of the
finest speeches Mr.. Goode ever listened to-
Next morning the gentleman and his wife
We're walking along the street in Rich
mond. and they met Mr.. Lyons, an old
friend of the lawyers. Mr.. Lyons greeted
the couple cordially and the attorney pull
ed out his pistol to shoot his friend
claiming he had insulted his wife. By
ISLANDERS interfered.
The lawyer was adjudged insane and
finally committed suicide by cutting his
throat while an inmate OF the asylum at
Williamsburg.
Had this lawyer killed Mr.. Lyons. -
said Mr. Goode. "if the testimony OF his
neighbors and friends had been accepted
he would have been hanged, for they
had noticed no signs OF insanity except
perhaps, during the last fsw years of his
residence at Boydton he manifested a
good deal OF i'll temper. 1t would have
been said of him. as OF Riddici1 he could
not have been crazy, for he made fine
speeches. was logical and systematic and
a brilliant lawyer.
AIR. Goode did not call the name of the
unfortunate lawyer, but nearly every
one in the COURTROOM recognized him as
the late Chas. r. Finch
AIR. Goode spoke about two hours. and
he received the very closest attention OF
jury and spectators.
PATHETIC SPEECH.
Mr. Poage followed Mr. Goode. He
is Mr. Riddicks brother-in-law, and his
devotion 10 the prisoner has been very
tender and touching. During the last
few days he has been on the verge of
physical collapse from overwork. His
physical condition was against him, but
he discharged his duty well. Afr. Poage
is man of great magnetism. He is
a fine pIeader. His word-picture of the
two happy homes wrecked by this unfor-
tuna,r tragedy brought tears to the eyes
OF some of his hearers.