The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-21
ALL THE EVIDENCE IS
BEFORE THE
JURY
State Rests With a Very
Strong Circumstantial
Case.
A BRIEF SUMMING UP
Defense Holds That Wilcox is Vic
tim of a Combination of
Circumstances.
MANY THINK THERE WILL Be A HUNG Jury
Others Expect Verdict of Murder in the Second
Degree. Ward and Aydlett Make the
Final Appeals. Wilcox
Sphinx,
Especial to News and Observer. }


Elizabeth City, N. c., March 20
The State of North Carolina has pre-
sented its case against Jim Wilcox. Not
only is all it's evidence in the jurys
over the lawyers plea against him had
just been completed by Mr.. Ward, leading
attorney for the prosecution. The COM
mOnwealth has told why it believes Will
cox should suffer death to avcnge Mel!
Cropsey's murder. In the afternoon chief
eounsel@or the defense, Mr.. Aydlett, told
why his client should not die for crime
about whose commission there is so much
doubt His was the last plea made before
the jury.
The State rested with the presenta-
tion of a very strong case of circumstan-
tial evidence, testimony, on less tnan
which, IL says, many murderer has suf-
fered death.
THE CASE FOR THE STATE
The State says Wilcox, after visiting
his sweetheart frequently for three years,
had falling out, that his attentions were
no longer agreeable to Nell Cropsey, that
he made an indirect threat about turning
the laugh when Nell ridiculed him, that
he was the last person seen with her
alive when he called her out, that she
was killed by blow; that Wilcox's after
conduct was indicative of Indifference and
that there is twenty-five minutes of un-
accounted for time between IL and IL
o'clock on last November 20.
THE CASE FOR THE DEFENSE.
The defense holds that the evidence is
not sufficient to convict; that Wilcox was
a creature of unfortunate circumstances;
that his Indifference was in harmony with
his nature and he could not help it; that
he has been bounded down by sentiment,
Money, influence, detectives and newspa-
pers, and that his conduct which has
caused so much feeling, is not compatible
with guilt.
There is much talk that hung jury
will result. though many people think it
will be murder in the second degree.
WILCOX A MYSTERY.
Wilcox's demeanor before and during
the trial is one of the features of the
case. Charged with cowardly murder. exc
Grated on every hand held in contempt
by public opinion, the target of lawyers
eloquence, and subjected to a strain
which might weaken a nerve of steel the
prisoner has remained Indifferent to it all.
Whether good or bad is said of him.
whether the speaker pleads for his death
or his freedom the expression is always
the same-cold, rigid, emotionless. Dur
ing this trial scenes of sorrow and pathos
have brought tears to the eyes of his
father and sisters, to the eyes of the
Cropseys and spectators and to the law
yers on both sides, and yet Jim Wilcox
has remained unmoved and chewed gum
His is a nature fitting for the study of
psychologists. People say he is either
hradened to all emotion or sentiment, OR
that he is absolutely without nerves
When Wilcox was brought into court
and had sat down, one of his sisters
leaned over on his chair and spoke to
him tenderly.
Some Of the negroes are being crowded
out of the court house. A portion of the
section reserved for them is being occu-
pied by ladies whose number when court
opened was quite large. The jury looked
much refreshed this morning. They had
a worn appearance when adjournment was
had yesterday.
ATTORNEY WARD OPENS.
District Attorney George W. Ward
opened. He is a tall, spare man, smooth
shaven. pale faced and of classic coun-
tenance. He said:
I'VE are now, gentlemen of the jury.
on the eighth day. including Saturday, of
the most important trial ever held in
Pasquotank county.
Il shall not begin here this morning by
leeturing this jury. / know you; some
of you are my personal friends. Hear me
and bear with me; l am not going TO talk
in pictures and clouds. / am going to talk
in plain English l am going to talk a
murdered girl and the man who mur-
cered her. | am not going to say any
thing to prejudice this jury. If 1 do say
anything outside of the evidence do not
consider il.
1T has been said by Mr.. Bond that
jim Wilcox has been bounded down, but
stand here in the name of the people of
Pasquotank and adjoining counties to say