The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-21
ALL TIE EVIDENCE is BE-
FORE THE JURY.
CONTINUED from Page One. }

Aydlctt, who is a highly respt cted citi-
zen and good lawyer, but as an ndeX TO
popular feeling. The program had been
arranged beforehand, both men and
ladies' having agreed to the exodus.
FIRE ALARM TURNED IN.
But this is not ALL Before Mr.. Ayd-
lett had been talking many minutes the
fire alarm was turned in and that
caused other people to leave and an
other break in the argument until quiet
was restored. The changing of the en-
CINE or hose cart bells resounded
through the court room as the Xehicles
passed and came again. Though there
were reports OF actual fire in several
places Police Chief Dawson and others
tell me there was nc fire at all. People
locally understand why these things
were done.
FEAR OF VIOLENCE.
The report that violence against VIII
cox would be attempted in case an ac-
quittal be rendered is more than an idle
report. Chief Dawson really appre-
hends such trouble, and he said tonight
officers and soldiers would hardly be
able to resist the onslaught without
bloodshed in case of such contingency.
He said when Wilcox's life was clam
ored for some weeks ago the mob de-
sisted when they pleaded to let courts
have thei rsay, but now if the jury
should find him not guilty there would
be nc argument to stay them. Judge
Jones, when asked after court how long
before the jury would have the case,
could not say definitely.
He said his charge was not very long,
but if he read all the evidence it would
take all day He had not determined
whether he would read the entire re-
cord.
In Elizabeth City interest in the case
is intense. One of the bankers says he
notices a falling off of business. The
Wilcox case is absorbing.
MIR. AYDLETTS SPEECH.
Mr.. Aydlett, a man of short stature,
logical, analytical mind and much logic
training, began by telling of the cases
Importance. He took UP the testimony
of the doctors and sought to show that
their evidence did not prove that Nell
Cropsey hadn't died BY drowning her
self. He said they were after getting at
The facts, the truth Of the whole matter,
He wanted the light turned on, he
wanted 70 mistake einade.
II ask you in ell fairness, in all can
dor between your God and the life of
this prisoner can you say this woman
was not drownedM l would to God ]
had tie gift of oratOry, the command of
the English language as BELTS one who
stands between the life and death of
this defendant"
Mr.. Aydlett said he was surprised at
the States position towards DR.. Lums-
den, the man called for an expert, who
said be had heard other physicians evil
derCe but who declared himself in
cape BILE of giving a satisfactory opinion
where a body had been in the water so
long. He made a tribute 70 DR.. Lums-
denis character, ability and bravery.
He asked the jury if Dr. Lumsden
could not give an expert opinion. and
since the State had not put on DR.. Nc
Mullan how could they say Nell Crop
sey was not drowned.
AS TO WILCOX'S INDIFFERENCE.
Answering the charge about WilcoXs
Indifference Mr.. Aydlett quoted Deputy
Sheriff Reid. who said that was natural.
The speaker said Wilcox was not re-
sponsible for his God given faculties.
| In reply to the States charge of indif-
ference in the court room the speaker
declared if Wilcox had wept here the
prosecution would have construed it as
an indication of guilt He spoke CT the
States inconsistency in the constructing
| of WilcoX's demeanor and words.
1 E,tno
every action was criticized and even his
| face as he passed on the street was scan
ned and commented upon"
| The speaker contended that Nell's
order to Jim to pulp was not meant as
offensive, and that Jim's statement that
| he was tired of being a lackey was not
even addressed to Nell. Counsel went on
| to explain many other actions of Will
cox, which had been taken as indications
of guilt He referred to Nell several
times as "a true. noble little woman, !"
and said after three years companion
| ship with Wilcox she had come to ad-
| mire him.
With no motive for murder and nothing
to prevent suicide how could the jury
say Jim was guilty? He said a verdict
of acquittal would not imply suicide
| necessarily.
Wilcox had a lemon in court this af-
| ternoon and continued to suck it.
| Mr.. Aydlett said the Cropsey's had
acted very fairly in the prosecution, and
he believed he voiuced their sentiments
in saying they wanted no man convicted
unless he were guilty. Much of the ar
gument advocated by Mr.. Ward and Mr..
| Sawyer could not weigh when a mans
| life was in the balance.
THE PICTURE IN THE RIVER.
The speaker construed Caleb Parker s
| statement as favoring the defendant, for
| if Parker saw a man and woman walk
| ing the woman could not have been dead.
He reasoned that the undiscovered
| picture is on the bottom of Pasquotank
River. He said there was nothing sus-
| picious in the return of the parasol and
picture, nor of Wilcox's ignorance of the
exact time he left the Cropsey home.
The attorney said if Wilcox had waded
in the water in carrying out Nell's body
his clothes would have been wet when
he met Leonard Owens Just before mid
| Oioht Jn daclaroJ Pow a