The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-19
The EVIDENCE
IS DAMAGING NJ
Court Admits Francis's Dying
Statement to
Others.
MISS LINK coRoBERATEs
Tells Of Richards Unwe1comc
Attentions TO Her, and Shows
Letter.
especial to The Times Dispatch,


FLOYD, VA. October 1s.--There Ia M
abatement In the interest manifested In
the trial OF John w. Richards on trial for
his life for the murder OF Maurice k.
Francis. When the court bell rang this
morning many spectators. including a
large number OF ladies'. were present.
The most Interesting feature OF the trial
30 far was the contention between the
4 prosecution and defense as to the adj
instability of the dying declaration OF the
deceased as was sought to be introduced
by the evidence Of J. NJ. Conner, to whom
Francis stated before dissolution that he
was bound to die, and that Richards shot
him. The matter was argued before the
court for hours last night and authori-
ties quoted at length by the able counsel
employed on both sides.
Judge Moomaw ruled that the evidence
vas admissible, and after an hour Of dis
cuss!on over the matter the jury was
brought In. The prisoner WIS In his place
before the opening OF court. llis hand
some face showed n more hnggard ap-
pearance than on the opening day. OF the
trial. His father and mother soon en-
tered the courtroom. and were warmly
greeted by handshnke from their son.
The defendant looked as though he had
y plainly stamped on his face. but BE has an
appearance OF not being able TO COM
prehends the gravity OF the condition con-
fronting him. His father portrays a dis
tresslng anxiety In his face TO one who
knows him, but assumes a spirit OF
cheerfulness.
The adinssibli;y of the dying state
ment OF Francis Is very damaging to tho
defense. 1t is direct evidence against
4 H. u,GI t,u S,,k,t pfnr.
stood at all times that tie Common
wealth was entirely yeliant on circuip-
stantial evidence.
! was intinlatcd this morning, and was
finally stated. that more damaging direct
testimony had been secured. Mr.. Con-
nor was placed under a most rigid cross
examination BY Attorney y. H. Custer.
OF Danville. his testimony outside the
proof OF the dying declaration was
strongly in favor OF the circumstantial
evidence theory.
AT II O'Clock Miss Oracle Link was
called. i; bad been reported earlier that
she was quite Ill. but she was on hand
and ready. She was In black and show
ed but little signs. Of nervousness al
though II was plainly discernible that the
witness was undergoing most trying
ordeal.
marriage between her and Francis. and
the repeated proposals OF Richards. and
u Of his efforts to- make engagements at
\ the lines when Francis would be ex-
pected TO come 10 see her from Roanoke,
all OF which she refuaed him for several
months past. and as to how Richards
had come 10 see her both In June and
July, Immediately after the departure OF
Francis.
Her testimony showed that on the last
two visits OF Francis to her that he was
accompanied by other parties, both In
coming and going. as he always travelled
1r buggy. She corroborated the dying
declaration Of Francis as testified by j..
NJ. Conner, he having stated TO her that
4 Richards had shot him. She stated that
the witness asked IL he was bleeding to
death. and was told that the doctor
would he there soon Francis replica:
..I# am afraid 1t. will be too late" She
approached him and asked him how he
felt. He replied Oracle, why did you
eoad mo-, repeating the question Sec
ora time, and then said in reply to q
question OF who shot you, said,
..Jea,ousy is an awful thing. Richards
Many other points were brought out
by the witness strongly corronoratlSea 81
] the circumstnntial evidence theory 20
show the motive OF the accused for the
commission OF the crime. including the
following letter, which Richards handed
her in person. under date OF July .nh,
on tho evening OF Thursday before the
homicide:
Miss Oracle Link. Simpsons Va:
Dear Frlcnd.-You must make the next
date ii we are to have another. as you
have refused me date so often for
others. Though I guess you wnnt TO quit,
lis you wouldn't make a date with mo
Tor tonight and put me off for Sunday.
You think my letters SO bitter guess I
had better have no more To say.
Sincerely,