Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-02-06
JONES TRIAL
IS CONCLUDED
4 Very Able Discussion Of the Case by
Counsel.
LARGE CROWDS WERE PRESENT
GeOrce and John Jones We're Found Guilty
of Murder in Second Degree and j.
W. Jones was Acquitted.

last Thursday the taking OF evidence I'D
the case of the Commonwealth VS.. D. W.
George and John Jones was being conclu'
ded. Just before the afternoon session
WAS ended on Thursday both the prosecu'
tion and defense announced that they
were through with their evidence
On Friday morning instructions were
offered by the Commonwealth and the de-
fendants and the entire morning session
was occupied in the consideration oi the
instructions. 1t WAS settled by the court
,,oeoro od;onrnment for dinner what IN
structions should be given, and that at 'he
re.convening of the court after dinner ar
ouments should begin. 1t was arranged
that MIR. J. w. Chapman, Major H. h.
Henry and Mr.. Barnes Gillespie should
speak for the prosecution and that MeSS's'
He. Anderson, ]. n. Harman and Joseph
c. Wysor should speak in behalf OF the
defendants. This array of talent on the
respective sides bespoke an earnest ana
interesting forensic struggle; and the Sc
ouel proved that those who were expect
ING such battle were not to he oisaP'
pointed.
Immediately after the court reconVeneo
in the afternoon Friday, the case OF the
Commonwealth was opened by Mr.. j. W.
CHAPMAN, who spoke with his usual force
and ability for one hour and hail. ne
has long enjoyed the reputation OF being d
close and severe prosecutor, and his effort
on this occasion measured up to his well
earned reputation. Mr. Chapman was
followed by Mr.. H. c. Anderson for the
defendants. His speech was strong one
showing he bad made careful STUDY oi
the law ard the facts and that he was ear
nestly enlisted IN the cause Of his clients
He occupied the balance of the evening
session.
On Saturday arguments in the case were
resumed, MIR. ]. n. Harman first spoke IN
behalf of the accused, and his speech was
an adroit and telling one. He not only
ouoted from the law books but pulled a
testament from his pocket and read to the
Jury from the Holy Evangelists. This
caused Major Henry afterwards to call at
tention in very amusing way to Mr.
Harman's dual character of lawyer and
preacher.
Major Henry next addressed the jury
ON the side of the prosecution and conclud'
ed his speech just before adjournment for
dinner. The Major was in one of his hap
piest moods, and gave most Of his time to
review ofthe points that had been made
by Messrs. Aldelson and Harman and ID
anticipating what MIR. Wysor would say to
the Jury. His speech was eloquent and
severe on the prisoners.
Mr.. Joseph c. Wysor followed Major
Henry; and his speech in defence OF the
accused parties was a splendid effort. Ihis
was the first time Mr.. Wysor had ever
been heard at Tazewell, but he came uF
fully to the expectations of those who haC
heard of him as an orator. His speech
was greatly admired by even those WHIT
did not agree with him in bis view OF th'
law and the facts of the case.
The argument of the case was close'
by MIR. Barnes Gillespie, our talented
Commonwealth Attorney. Though stiI
Young man 10th in years and the prac
tice of the profession, he has won dis
tinction as a prosecutor that any maj
might be proud of. His speech measures
I'D well with former efforts at our bar an
the case was given to the jury after one Q
the most earnest but courteous battles W
have seen fought in court. When MI
Gillespie closed his speech the court ao
iourned for supper; and after supper IN
;ury was brought back, the papers give
into their hands and they were taken !
their room 10 consider of their verdict
The court room was then thronged, as
had been during the entire day while tn
arguments were being made. The jury re
manned out about one hour and when
came back into the court room the sller
and expectant crowd was eager TO he'
The verdict. When the clerk had Gale
the Jury, and the question was asked
thev had agreed upon verdict, the n
spouse from the foreman was that the
had. The verdict was then read and 1t WI
known that the jury had found Geo. an
John Jones guilty Of murder IN IL
second degree and bad fixed their col
finement in the penitentiary at ten year
each, and had found J. W. Jones nj
guilty as charged in the indictment. III
latter is the father of the two men foun
guilty.
As soon as the the verdict was al
nosnced, counsel for George and Joh
A. of oo1A