The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-08
THE ARGUMENT
In RIDDICK CASE
Saunders and Haskins
Speak on Either Side.
DIVINE COMMISSION,
Mr.. Saunders Declares, Was an After
Thought of Preacher.
A JEALOUS DISPOSITION N.
-Four Moro Attorneys Have to Speak,
But II is Not Thought ANY of Them
Will Make Lon. Spccctes-Col.
HaSk ins Declared That to Con-
vict Riddick Now Would
be Judicial Murder.
(Stan Correspondence.O


LAWRENCEVlLLE, VA, June 7.-Spe-
ciaI.-The case OF Rev Roane Riddck may
reach the jury tomorrow night. There
are four lawyers yet TO make speeches, but
only Messrs. Davis and Buford will talk
at any length. Speaker Saunders and Col
Haskins delivered their arguments to-day.
The court viii convene at o'clock in the
morning. The Commonwealth having won
as to practically every instruction it Of
fered, Mr.. Saunders had much in his fa-
vor when he opened for the prosecution.
He more than sustained his reputation
as a jury lawyer He discarded the style
te assumed when he engaged in debates in
the House Of Delegates. and apparently
addressed himself solely to the jury. His
style was easy and conversational
IN a NUTSHELL.
To sum up what he said it might be
expressed in these words: 1t is dfiicuilt
TO conceive of how a sane mind could ad-
judge Riddick insane when lac has been
successful as a student, has made an able
preacher, a faithful pastor. discharged all
his duties 10 society, and had exhibited no
evidences of a diseased mind worthy TO
be considered, except q few triViallues
when he was a school boy.
Mr. Saunders made strong point for
the fact that nothing was heard about
the divine commission TO kill until after
the deed was committed, and even then
Riddick did not set up this plea, but said
he wanted to talk with his wife to ascer-
tain whether or not he had misunderstood
her
In Mr. Saunders judgment this was
strange conduct for a man actually COM
Inissioned Of God or one who was laboring
under q delusion.
RIDDICK NOT INSANE.
IN, hriar Saunders -Dntpndpi that
RiddicK was man of sound mind when he
shot DR.. Temple. He was of a jealous dis
position. and really believed his wife had
been insulted. He went out to avenge the
wrong he thought had been done her, and
the divine commission plea was an after
thought.
Colonel Haskins did not make a lengthy
speech. He laid great stress upon the les
tmony of the experts, and declared with
much emphasis that 10 impose the death
penalty upon Riddicl1 would be judicial
murder The Colonel contended ably and
with much force that the evidence proved
beyond a shadow OF doubt that Riddick
was insane.
DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The court convened at 3 o'clock for the
ninth days trial OF Rev. Roane Riddic1.
charged with the murder of DR., Temple.
About three-fourths OF tile seats in the room
were occupied. Mr. Davis at once pre-
sented an instruction regarding emotional
insanity This was modelled after the in
structions that the Federal Court gave III
the celebrated trial of General Dan Sickles,
who killed Key, in Washington, shortly
before the Civil War
Mr.. Davis briefly advocated the applica-
ton of the doctrine as announced in that
instruction TO the case now on trial
Mr. Saunders vigorously opposed the
motion He contended that this doctrine
has never been recognized in Virginia,
where the only forms OF insanity recog-
,lfzed are such as result from diseases OF
the mind
Mr.. Buford characterized the instruction
asked for as vicious in principle and TO
adopt il would be TO nullify the whole law
of Virginia bearing upon insanity.
The discussion was closed by Mr.. PoaSe,
who argued that there was ample author
fly for what the defense was contendins
for. Tue court held that the instructions
already given fully covered the point in
question, and he denied the motion of the
defense and an exception was noted.
THE ARGUMENT
The Jury and prisoner were brought into
the COURTROOM al 1890 O'Clock and Judge
TurnbulI read the lengthy instructions.
IT was 1915 celock when Hon. E. w.
Saunders rose to address the jury on be-
half of the Commonwealth. AS usual he
was cool, deliberate and logical in his
argument The court-rooIn had by this
time filled up until every seat was occu-
MED. Men stood outside the doors and
some tried TO hear the remarks OF the
distinguished Speaker OF the House OF
DELEGATES from positions they occupied
under The shade trees IN the yard. The
court-room is IN the second story of the
building and those on the ground could
not distinguish very much what Mr..
Saunders said, for he talked directly 10
the jury in a semi-conversauonal style.
He brushed aside all preiminaries. made
no explanation of his appearing as spe-
cial attorney OF the prosecution as most
LAWYERS similarly situated do, but he dived
at once into a review of evidence.
The Rev Mr. Riddicb did not appear to
nav any attention to the argument.
Whether or not he could hear Mr. Saun-
ders he only knows. His brother, Mr..
Jpntus Riddicls. sat by his side
DIFFICULT PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Saunders contended that il was a
proposition difficult 10 find its entrance
into ,he minds of an intelligent jury that
the prisoner could have served faithful
IN and efficiently his various conSreSa-
lions for years, preached scriptural SER
mons attended 10 his duties as pastor
and then suddenly lose ali control Of him
self and Kill a man who had done him no
harm.
Mr.. Saunders first took up the question
of loss of memory as an evidence of in
sanity He went over the evidence and con-
tended that all that had been proven was
nothing more than would occur in the
life OF any other sane man. The various
triyiai!ties as to Mr. Riddick's losing his
way in a country strange TO him. OF his
delay In reaching his churches on two or
three occasions. and a few other evidences
OF absent-rnindedness, all these things.
occurring some years ago. Mr.. Saunders
ergued, were not worthy 10 be consider
ed in deciding the question Of sanity or
insanity OF the accused. If these things
resulted fratr, a diseased mind a person