Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-06-12
GILLIGAN'S TRIAL.


terdsy Ei.ss Isabel Turner, whose hon.
or was impeached by the confession of
A. Z. Qilligan, her fathers slayer, was
declared TO be of chaste character by
the two expert physicians. They were
DR.. Lsndon B. Edwards, chairman fac
ulty University College Of Medicine, q
member OF The State Board of Health
and secretary of the Virginia Medical
Society, and DR.. Jacob Micheaux, pro-
fessor oi mid wiiery ia University Col
leee Of Medicine. DR.. w. ID. Turner is
q prominent physician in Isle of Wigh;
county. and the girls cousin. From
the stalt be has stoutly stood by the
eirPs side and declared that all be
wanted for the family and for the girl
WAS q full and fair investigation and
trial, Il was, no doubt, by his advice
that medical science was called on to
clear tbs girls fair name. Miss Tur-
ner's te tlnoDy Saturday, and this con-
frmation of her own defense OF her
honor, has made revulsion Of feeling
against Gil)igan.
Judge Hinton scored the prosecution
for introducing the alleged confession,
which no characterized as "wretched,
nasty esUf," and declared that
Sheriff Edwards should not have
been allowed to repeat his YER"
sisn Of what Gilligan had said, or
/ rather what he thought Gilligan said,
when tire young man surrendered him.
self, Ee declared that the sheriff was
drunk on the day of Gilligan's surren.
der and in 20 condition to understand
anything the prisoner might have said
TO him,
The commonwealth made strenuous
obisctiore to the physicians being
heard, eud the jury was sent out while
the Issue was argued. C1l. Boykin,
for the prosecution, argued that the
uame Of o fair young woman had been
ssssiled by the confession OF the pris-
ener ss related by Sheriff Edwards,
states witness, and he wanted an OPP
portunitY TO brand as untrue tine foul
calpmIles. -
Mrs, Agnes L. Turner, wife of the
murdered MAD, was again placed on
tbe stsud Ia the sfternoon session in
order TO ask her whether she stated the
dsy after the killing ct her home in the
or. sencs of Mrs. w. E. Howle and
Miss Eaua BagWell that she and her
husband sat there at home, he with a
gun On bis Jap, afraid to speak above
whisper. expecting to see Nick come
out OF soma secret corner. Sne EN-.
phstically denied it. She was asked
abeus conversation with Mr.. Smith 10
reference to Ger daughter and Nick
0llllssp. She denied the conversation,
or that she was ever in Mr.. Smiths Of
| foe. Counsel for the defense may at
| tempt TO rebut some of Mrs. Turner'S s
statements.
Ned Smith, jr., Of Norfolk. IL years
| old. Mrs, Turner's nephew, was exam
insd as 10 his compe ency and then tes'
tiled BE told of the occurrences oil
the evening at Bacop's Castle and de-
| olsrei thst he was with Isabel great
deal that day and that no man hati
spoken 10 her. Asked If he had ever
! seen Ciliigan, he looked at him and
ssid oDlv in court. He told the story
/ Of tha (isy msioly as it had been tolo py
/ the cir, and her mother. his ssiory was
simple and impFessively told and tne
| Grst applause Of the trial broke forth 10
hand cisppiog when the little fellow
left ths STAND.
Tom Turner, brother OF the dead
Tmsn. testified that be saw Gilligan al
iFersuson's wharf after The boat had
gone. cuysiDg and carrying on at ter
rible rste. Witness told him there were
ladies' about and he answered Win
other oatbe. Counsel for defense ob.
iected 20 this testimony as irreveiao1
and prsiudicial. Objection overruleo'
/, Several other witnesses testified as 70
tho soene on the wharf December ~
Cemmonvealth's Attorney Boykin an.
nounc.d that they were ready TO resi-
their case. bat desired to put on the
two absent witnesses, Mrs. Crocker ano
| Mrs. Tsyl7F, later. -
The defense seemed taken by surprise
at the early termination Of the evidence
for the prosecution, and declined to &c
On untl the Commonwealth was
tbrouah, The court at 4 O'Clock ao'
iourred until today.