Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-06-22
RIDDICK CONVICTED.
HHE MURDERER OF DR.. TEMPLE
/ GUILTY OF MANsLAUGHTERs


Three Years in the Penttsptisry-
The Preacher.Murderes Visthiy
| Afected-The Venerable Fataer .
| Physical Wreck-wife Combined 60
/ Her Room by Iilness-
ELaWrenceville, Va. June live, the
bury, find the prisoner guilty Of man
slaughter and ascertain his punishment
at three years in the State peniten-
tiary" was the verdict Of the Jury IN the
case Of the Commonwealth IS J. +.
Roane Riddick
| Che above verde. was reached at Il
o'clock this morning Few spectators
were In the courtroom when It con-
gened at $3.50 a. m. The jury were called.
and their foreman, VIM. A. Short, an
bounced that no agreement had been
reached, ard in his opinion one could
not be reached. The court ordered the
Sheriff to take the jury to their room.
Mr.. r. 3. Davis, the only attorney
present for the prisoner. held con-
sultation with Mr.. Buford. the attorney
suggested a compromise verdict, but
these gentlemen were unable to agree.
At 1915 o'clock the jury were brought
into court. They had not agreed.
MI. Davis stated to them that this
question Of insanity was an uncertain
Dne; that this was a very serious mai
ter The prisoner vas poor man. Ala
he had and all his father had had been
spent in the trial. and he hoped that
the jury might yet be able to agree
He suggested compromise verdict OF
granddaughter.
1T do not want to force any mans
conscience" said the speaker, but as
this is not a question Of fact, but Of
opinion, I suggest a compromise"
Mr.. Buford replied: Il do not think
the jury should be kept together longer
than is necessary to ascertain that
upon full discussion and comparison Of
their views they are unable to agree.
a verdict, which is compelled by keep
Ing the jury in confinement longer than
that is not the unanimous consent con-
templated. l do not agree with the
views expressed by Mr.. Davis, as to
the basis Of agreement suggested by
him.
"Manslaughter is q killing under the
Impulse Of passion upon proVOcatiOn,
before there Is time for reflection, and,
as to this, the jury have been fully in
structed. l adhere to the views which
l expressed to the jury in my argu-
ment that, If the prisoner is not insane,
he Is undoubtedly guilty Of murder in
the first degree, and while some Of the
jury, no doubt, entertain this view,
still, il there is a doubt upon their
minds, a verdict of murder in the Sec
ond degree would do full justice to the
prisoner as he gould be transferred to
/, i 1IryS
symptoms of Insanity; and, if he did
not, confinement in the penitentiary
for eighteen years would be milder
punishment than the law provides for
his offense."
The jury retired to their room and at
1880 o'clock knocked for paper. A few
minutes later they were brought into
the courtroom and the foreman stated
to the court that the jury had agreed
upon a verdict
Mr.. Davis Informed the prisoner and
the minister's face was a study.
He was visibly moved and closely
eyed each Juror as he took his seat.
The clerk asked: Gentlemen, Fave
you agreed upon your verdict?'
The foreman, Mr.. Short. replied that
they had.
The clerk then said: ~. r. Riddick,
stand up" (Mr. Davis repeated the
words in the ear trumpet of the pris-
oner). He Obeyed. Then the solemn
words of the verdict were read, and
Immediately repeated by Mr.. Davis to
the prisoner.
He was much affected and could
scarcely control his emotions. The
Jury was then thanked by the court for
patience, etc, and dismissed.
Mr.. Davis moved that the court set
the verdict aside, as being contrary to
the. law and evidence. He said that the
motion was merely formal, and he did
not think he would insist on it, but he
wished to consult with the other attor-
neys for the defense, and asked the
court to adjourn until Tuesday, the
10th, when he could say positively the
dine the defense would pursue. The
court agreed and adjourned court until
that date.
Mr.. Davis told the prisoner at the
time court had adjourned, and the re-
ply was that he left the matter en-
firely in his attorneys hands, believing
that he would do the best he could for
him.
When Interviewed, the foreman Of the
jury, Mr.. Short, said that until this
morning six of the jury were for a YER
dict of murder in the first degree and
six were for acquittal on the ground of
Insanity.
The six who were for the extreme
penalty then agreed to a verdict of
murder in the second degree, and final
ay, after the addresses of the attorneys
on each side, the jury agreed on man
slaughter, and the punishment at three
years In the penitentiary.
When the jury was adjourned over
Saturday afternoon until this morning,
one of the jurors stated that each side
was SO determined they would stay at
LaWrenceVille and eat up all the
chickens in Brunswick county before
receding from their respective posi-
lions.
The friends Of Rev Mr.. Riddick were
willing to accept almost any verdict
within reason in order that there
might not be occasion for a new trial.
It was not so much the cost as the
Fearful ordeal to which members Of the
family would be subjected. The vener-
able father of the prisoner, Rev. Joseph
III. Riddick, has been in Petersburg
since he gave in his testimony. He Is
a physical wreck. The wife of the
young preacher has been confined to
her room for more than a week, and
Mr.. Walter S. Poage, brother-in-law,
and one Of the counsel for Riddick, is
very much indisposed. He came over
TO Petersburg yesterday.
There will be no appeal taken. Rid
Click will DE brought to the Penitentiary
In O. few days. If it appears that he is
crazy after he reaches there he will be
sent to an asylum.