Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-11-11
McCUE GUILTY.
Jury Verdict Was Murder in the
First Decree.

A sharp clash between counsel
occurred Friday. john L. Lee, of
Lynchburg, counsel fer the defense,
sharply criticised Capt. Woods,
attorney for the prosecution, for
appearing in the case and using the
fact of his former friendship to
McCue in bis argument. Capt
Woods stated that be had refused a
large fee in the case in order to al
the prosecution. Counsel for the
defense moved the discharge of both
prisoner and jury. The court denied
the motion, but did not permit Capt.
Woods to continue his explanation.
For three hours Friday John L.
Lee occupied the attention of the
court with the concluding argument
for the defense. He made an elo.
quent address. "Put your hands on
your hearts, gentlemen of the jury,
and tell me, you who read the news
papers, is there likeness Of any sort
between the publications of the
public press and the evidence you
have heard in this case? But gem
tlemeD," he said, suppose these
things had been true; suppose he
had, in fact, forgotten his marriage
vows. Who are we that we should
judge him-we whose virtue may be
q deficiency of temptation, whose
honor may be an accident and whose
prosperity in time may be sarcasm?
Is this the motive they would proven"
"The very instant that evil is
spoken Of you; the very instant that
some malignant tongue sends forth a
rumor, whether true or untrue, of
your misconduct, haven't you found
more people ready to believe it than
disbelieye it?
"Honor bright, hasn't that beer
the experience of every man on this
jury? And so far as you have been
able to determine, has it not been the
experience of every man whom you
have had opportunities of observing
in that respect? The greatest of all
writers of the English language has
epitomized that truth. He has told
you that 'the evil that men do lives
after them; the good is oft inferred
with their bones Why the AL
mighty, in His infinite wisdom,
created rs, as we are told, in His
own image; why lie should have SO
constructed the human heart and
human mind that it is ever ready to
believe evil, only God Himself in
His wisdom knows.
"You may live a long life, dotted
here and there and all along the line
with noble deeds; but unless that
life has been lived in the full glare
of the public like that of statesman
or a mighty general, or a great
orator, you die and only your i'm
mediate circle of friends know of
the beauty of your life. Bot as you
struggle and totter along that road
that leads from the cradle to the
grave, if you slip but once; if you
once stain your good name, genera
tions to come after you will remem-
Der it and speak of it."
THE VERDICT.
Guilty of murder in the first
degree was the verdict Saturday of
the jury in the case of j. Samuel
McCue, charged with the murder of
his wife in Charlottesville. The
jury was out twenty-one minutes.
Only one poll was taken, and the
rest of the time was spent in prayer.
The defendant, who passed part of
the time while the jury was out
reading the Bible, received the ver-
dict without a tremor. But his
children and relatives, who sur
rounded him, gave way to heart
rending sobs.
Motions for new trial were filed,
and the appeal, if necessary, probably
will be carried to the highest State
courts. The plea for new trial is
based on the facts that the jury was
allowed to read the newspapers and
upon the statement of Captain
Woods which was cut short.
While crushed the convicted ex-
mayor holds up well. lie confident
ly expects to get new trial, and
scouts the idea of committing suicide.
But whatever the final outcome of
this case, there is a lesson in the
career of McCue which all men may
well take to heart, and from it take
solemn warning. "Whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap.'
/ NEW TRIAL REFUSED.