The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-17
DEF ENSE IN
BISHOP CASE
The Prisoner Makes an Excel
lent Witness on the Stand.
A BETTER IMPRESSION
The Case viii Hardly Go to the Jury
Before Wednesday Nlght-Argument
by Counsel for Defense and Pros
ecutIon To. Day and Morrow.
Especial to The rimcs. Dlsputch.)

Especial to The Times. Dispntch.)
CHARLOTTE. N. c., Feb. 1C.-From
every point. to-dny's session has been
decidedly tho most interesting since the
Bishop trial began. Court opened at
, o'clock. and as at the previous session,
evory available space In the courtroom
was occupied by the great throng OF the
curious II was the defenoes' inning. The
Btate rested its case Saturday afternoon.
md this morning the defense opened with
It's testimony. AS has been minated.
The defense set up the plea Of self-de-
Tense and all the testimony offered by
Bishops counsel will BIO directed toward
supporting that plea
Mrs. Meyer, at whose home Miss
Schultz and Miss Wilson first mot the
defendant the evening OF the murder.
was the first witness, and there was
ripple Of suppressed excitement In the
courtroom Us Bishops name was called
to follow her. Bishop made a good
witness. He told his version OF the
tragedy without faltering and without
hesitation, and he bore the ordeal OF
tedious cross-examination without weak
ening. The feature OF his direct testl-
lnony was his declaration under oath
that Wilson, his victim, struck him three
blows on the head. one Of them bring
Ing him TO his knees, before no (Bishop)
fred the fatal shot. 1t Is quite certain
now that the Jury will not get the case
before Wednesday.
The substance Of Mrs. Meyers testi.
mony WIS that Bishop wcnt(to the VIII
son home at the Invitation OF Miss Ada
Wilson, a daughter OF the dead man;
that Miss Wilson was very anxious to
meet Bishop, and that this anxiety on
the part Of tho young woman was the
pf Etuhnp'G rOinp IN tho Wilson
home. Therefore. the daughter was In
directly responsible for her fathers
death. Mrs. Meyer also stated ina,
Bishop came to her home after the
tragedy. and showed her q bruised place
on his forehead and knot on his head.
He said that these INJURIES were the re-
suit OF blows inflicted.
by stick In the hands OF Wilson.
Bishops testimony was long drawn out
and his plea OF selt.defense was we'll
sustained. He admitted the killing, but
said that he had tried to release himself
from the clutches of Wilson. and every
time he would attempt to get out OF the
house Wilson would strike him with a
stick, which was In evidence. Bishop de-
rlared that Wilson struck him three
times, and the last lick felled him. AS
he arose. Wilson forced him to the wall.
and as Wilson was in the act of striking
the fourth blow, defendant shot. Mr..
Bishop. father OF the defendant, Mrs.
Bishop. his wife. and two or three char
acter witnesses wore introduced.
Miss Lena Schultz was the next wit
ness. She correlated every statement
that Bishop made. There is no question
: but that Bishop stands in better light
than he did on Saturday. His testimony
and that OF Miss Schultz has made a de-
cded impression IN the prisoners favor.
The argument In the cU-e Will, in all
probability begin tomorrow afternoon.
The case will hardly go to the jury be-
lore "Wednesday afternoon