The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-18
JURY SECURED IN
RICHARDS: TRIAL ||A
"a sccot,d venire From Part Of
County Remote From
Tragedy.
A MULTITUDE OF WITNESSES
Judge Moomaw Declined Plea . Of
Defense for Post
ponement.
4 MULTITUDE OF WITNESSES

{special 10 rho Tlmcs-D ispatch.)


FLOYD, VA, October 17--Tho case Of
1ohn w. Richards who was indicted
~ tho grand fury yesterday for the mur-l
der OF N1nurico Francis, was called III
r1oyd Circuit Court here this morning
Sheriff Slushcr and Deputy Sheriff
stump were dispatched for the prisoner.
and for tho first time since his incar-
ceration, TWO months ago, he was brought
into tho open mir. He walked briskly
into the crowded courtroom, and show
cd no signs Of nervousness. He took
d seat In rear OF his council, beside
A Ills father. Mr.. James II. richards who
had previously entered tho courtroom
1Ie was neatly dressed III Il we'll Lifting
suit OF dark gray, pink negligeo shirt,
whlto and black tic and Carried In his
hand new black felt hat.y
Prisoners Mother.
His mother soon entered tho court
room, and for while atood in the
4 crowd near the door, but was soon es-
corted to seat by her son, by NOM
Der counsel for tho defense.
rho three Francis brothers sat direct
ly behind tho counsel for tho prosecu-
ton. IA,
when tho prisoner was arraigned. tho
usual order to "stand up was given
by Clerk Pcdlgo. Richards arose. and,
during tho trying ordeal OF reading the
+ two counts OF the long indictment. he
never removed his eyes from the clerk
His lips we're firmly set, and he answered
J TO the Indictment In a clear. but scarce
audible, tone. mot guilty" He could
& not be heard through the courthouse.
< Ho then sat down. Burdine Bishop q
! juror. was excused, owing to the ex-
trcme illness OF his wife.
Upon calling tho case, tho counsel for
tho defense demurred to the Indictment
generally. Without showing grounds,
the court overruled the demurrer
Absent Witnesses.
A list OF some nifty witnesses for the
defchse were called. and 1t was ascer-
taincd that dozen were absent. Time
was granted counsel for consultation,
nfter which they announced that they
would not agree to enter into trial with
out them, as they were material Wit
+ nesses. il8 w "A .e 54$ @
Most OF these witnesses had been SUM
moned. but two residing In Roanoke
county and one in Roanoke city. who
4 had not been served with q process.
4 Tho Roanoke county men arc Doll Cons
ner and Robert Bowles. living at
& Glenvar. Rufus Kelly Is tho other man..
He Is In Roanoke.
Wysor for the prosecution. fought the
postponcment and 1t was finally an
nounced that most Of the absent wit
nesses could be secured. Mr.. Custer for
:, tho defense, took Issue With him and
4 pleaded for continuance. Mr.. Hogo
" then spoke In behalf OF trial OF the
case at once.
Judge Aoomaw decided to go on with
the trial OF the case. owing to the great
number OF witnesses present, which he
denomnated as ~ great multitude
which. including Jurors and witnesses.
! numbered at least two hundred.
Quick Work. j
Rules were Issued against the absent
witnesses and deputies dispatched at once
for them.
Out OF a list Of twenty veniremen
called before the court, eight were Sc
cured, rs follows. f. NJ. Henley, v. s..
Cannady. w s. Phlegar, Walter A. Hall.
r. NJ. Lancaster, Amos Reed. Walker
Quesenberry and W. ]. Phillips.
a writ was issued for two other We
nremen. all from the west end OF tho
county. and as far removed from the
scene OF tho homicide as possible.
Il Tho list was served by deputies in a
remarkably short time, and was com
pleted as follows: A. L. Dickerson, G. w.
Cox, w. S. Scott. M. 4. Akers. Lee Phil
lips, William Byrd
The Testimony.
At the afternoon session, Richards
trial. Oscar Conner, cousin OF Miss LInch,
was first witness called. testified that
first man to reach FranAls after the
shooting. said: rs that you Maurice
he answered, Eyes. am blind" Conner
did not know what the trouble was and
sent for aid, and thinking he was dying,
went for Miss Linch.
The Jury was sent out and questioned.
and argued at length, and the testimony
admitted. This laid the foundation for
the dying statement Of the murdered
man. Isl
j. NJ. Conner, father OF Oscar Conner.
second Witness, testified as to uying
statement. This was objected to by the
defensive. Tho jury was sent out for
an hour which was spent in argument.
and tho trial went over until tomorrow
morning.
Contested Evidence.
The statement MS given by the witness.
was "He shot me; he has done mo up
Witness says who his answer was
Jealousy is an awful thing. Richards says
Gracy cares much: send for DR.. HUI and
don't spare tho horse.'
1T will not be known until Tomorrow