Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-02-14
ASHBY ACQUITTED.

At Newport News yesterday evening
G. Aylslt Ashby was acquitted of the
killing OF City Engineer E. A Marye
alter one OF the shortest murder trials
on record there.
The jury was impsuelsd Wednesday
morning and by that evening ell but o
fragment OF evidence for the defense
Was introduced. Yesterday morning
he instructions were argued and given
to the jury, four attorneys participating
In the argument, ADD at 4:48 o'clock
be case went to the jury, which
Drought 10 q verdict OF acqulltil OF the
charge of manslsughter after being out
only eight minutes.
Immediately the verdict WAS an
oouuced Mr.. Ashby Was surrounded by
friends and congral ulated on the result,
which was generally expected, owing
| chiefly to the statement of Ned Marye
after being shot, generating Ashby.
Ashby restrained his elstion with
difficulty, Mrs. Garnet. his mother.in
law, bowed her head In silent prayer,
Their threw her arms around Ashby's
neck and with her head upon his
| shoulder wept. The other members OF
| the family were visibly affected. There
was pause for moment and the i'm
mense crowd pressed forward to con-
graduate the acquitted man. II was
nalf 40 hour before he could leave the
courthouse.
The address OF Mr.. J. i. Lee, t. the
jury, was one OF power and eloquenoe.
de reached a climax when he said t1at
il he should receive Information, ss
Ashby had done, that man was as
saultiDg bis wife and child, In less than
half minut9 be would be rsying
lunatic, and II he should meet that man
he would throttle him, even though Bio
stood at the foot of the great whits
throne. The effect was electrical.
The arguments Of Mr.. Daniel Trigg
and Mr.. r. M. Let. for the defense
we're hardly exceeded by toe striking
and remarkable speech OF Mr.. Lee.
Mr.. Hill CaItsr's address cannot be
charatt ,rizsd 90 an argument. 1t was
beaut full and patht tic tribute to
"Nedn Marye, and justification, a. far
is might be, OF his conduct, due to bis
peculiar and impulsive temperament
and to his nature, revolving st insult,
argued by provOcstion until O. tines he
was besides himself. He had no harsh
word t D say against Asbby or any of
the Garnet family, and emphatically
disclsimed any intention OF prosecuting
Ashby.
The Commonwealth's attorney, Mr..
Clarence Robinson, was placed 10 q
very delicate and difficult position, but
conducted the case with ability and
fairness both toward the Common
wealth and the accused. The ablett
Commonweslth's attorney in the
country could not have secured diff |
ferent verdict, all toe circumstances
considered.
Mr. Robinson asked merely for YER
dict OF manslaughter, though claiming |
that a verdict Of murder 10 the fist or /
second degree might be rendered under
tue evidence.
Mr.. Ashby resumed the stand yester-
day morning. "Msrye had walked
across the street immediately after tae
shooting, and the officer, srresting me.
Marye. taking me with him."
said he. "As l entered the door l saw
Marye standing against the COULTER.
BE seemed II sink down just as L saw
him, and pulling up his vest, showed
the blood. II was tle first time knew
Of his being wounded. He called TO
me aud l went to him. He said
Ashby, you did exectly right / re-
piled, No, / Am very sorry it happened
I'd rather be In your place than mine,
Dr. something like that"
Gray Lsngborne was called. He tss-
iifed tlst he was 10 the drug store
while Marye was lying on the floor
Some one came 10 and ask.
I'd who shot Marye. The question
seemed addressed to no one 10 particu-
ar, but Msrye heard 1t and answered
Poor little Ayltt; Ashby don't blame
him. II was not his fault"
With this testimony the defence rest
ID, and argument on instructions be.
gan,
Ashby shot Msrye December 80 be-
cause the latter, 10 81 angry frame OF
mind, owing to the rejection OF his suit
by Asbby's slsler.in-lsw, Miss May
repaired to bis home and ct
lacked 1t with bricks and rocks. Marye
died January 6.
The prominence of the families in
volved excited interest 10 the case
Virginia.