The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-28
ARGUMENT IN THE
R|cHARDSIMUR.D|:|.ER|:
Declared BY Commemorative
Attorney Simmons Atrocious
Murder.
(sneciol 10 The rimes-Dlspatch.)

Floyd. VA, October 27.-'rhe attend
ance at the Floyd County Court to-day
was the largest In the history OF the
county. The telephone line was kept busy
last night calling up families from inc
5remotcst districts. notifying them That
the argument OF the able counsel would
begin this morning. This trial is one
OF the most sensational in the history, not
only OF Floyd. but of all Southwest Vir-
ginla. For eleven days 1t has dragged
Its weary length along, and the court
officers, the Jury and many others. M
Guiding the parents OF the accused, have
shown the strain. The prisoner has main-
tanned his equilibrium throughout the or
deal. He sits to-day throughout tho
argument unmoved, but with head erect
and on the alert. He drinks In every
word OF the argument, both for and
against him. M S3
Crowded Court.
The utmost quiet prevails, and while
every foot of room Is occupied In the
courtroom proper, crowds are standing
ment from the open windows. Judge
Moomaw announced the instructions
which should go to the jury. They
were numerous and lengthy. They COW
cred the law in detail as to the weight
OF circumstantial evidence and as to the
testimony in the case.
Before the beginning or the argument
many ladies' were standing, being unable
TO obtain seats in the courtroom.
II. w. Simmons, Commonwealth at
torney, arose and placed the case be-
fore the jury from the standpoint Of
the Commonwealth. He spoke OF the
eleven long days to which the jury has
listened to the evidence of one Of the
most, sensational, diaboHcal and cruel
murders ever committed In the confines
Of the Commonwealth Of Virginia. in
which a young man in the bloom OF life
was waylnid and assassnated In the most
heartless and cold blooded manner AMI
when 1t became known that the prisoner
was suspected he fled.
He told the jury that they had to deal
| with a man5who had a deep laid scheme.
an educated man. one with an astutc-
ness not usually found in the lower type
| OF criminal.
Attacked Alibi.
He attacked the alibi rs offered by the
family and spoke OF the motive in say
| in saving the neck OF the accused.
! He went over the shot bottle occurrence
| and stated thatit WAS the property OF
John Richards and had been so proven.
and that while alibis might be manu- !.
| featured circumstances stood out in bol1
relief like n rock in the mountains AMI
were unassallable.
When attorney Simmons con Guided
| Judge Walter l.. Howard for the de-.
fense reviewed the testimony as offered
In behalf Of the prisoner. He argued tho
| case ably and attempted to show the
innocence of his client by the various
| phases Of the case. Judge Howard be,
gan his speech at eleven o'clock, and
when noon recess was taken he was,
| still speaking.
This afternoon he was followed by
Brown G. Howard, after which Samuel
II. Hogc took the floor for the prose-,
| rution. In the afternoon It was impos Z
sible for many people to obtain admts-i
sion to the courtroom. d. G. Howard for.
the defense, spoke for over an hour and
| was followed by Samuel II. Hoge, of
Roanoke. and made powerful plea for
! the accused Ioges speech was regarded
as being one of the ablest at the Floyd
| bar
a night session Is being held and b.
NJ. sowder, for the defense, made a very
| able speech and presented the case IN
n most plausible manner to the Jury
from the standpoint occupied by the
| defense. Rs