Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-08-03
Is Y [ ARS +!
Frank SprOuse Guilty of
Murder in Second
Degree.

| Common ealJh 4 Attorney her clOt
ed his argument for the prOsecutlO
Yesterday at II o'clock. The jury IL
tired and at O clock y m, came int
court and said they had not agreed
Judge Let cher ordered recess until:
O'Clock. On resembling the jury Wen
to its room, and after one hours deli
beration returned the following ver
dict:
1--WE. the jury find the prisoner guilt
of murder in the second degree a
charged in che Indictment, and fix hi
punishment at eighteen years in thu
penitentiarY.
Signed. Fl. G. HANNA,
Foreman.
The prisoner showed no emotion
whatever when the verdict was read
and was apparently as cool as if th'
verdict had been an AGO uattal.
The verdict was about what mos
of those who attended the trial seemed
to expect, though many were of the
opinion that he would hang,
THE EVIDENCE.
When we went to press last week
DR.. Ridley was on the stand. He sale
one bullet entered the thigh, another
between the seventh and eighth RIB anG
ranged upward and inward, but the
bullet that caused death in the wit.
nesses opinion was the one between the
fourth and fifth rib that passed through
the heart. Had known the deceased
and considered him fine specimen OF
humanity. He also dressed the prison
er's wounds. Found Two flesh wounds
on left forearm. Prisoner exclaimed
The shot me first. am shot to pieces. ,
On further examination found wound
at ankle. No other larcerations or
bruised found. Prisoner stated to wit
ness that he would be back in a week
as there were several others be wanted
to get. This statement was admitted
after objection by Mr.. Curry On
crOss-examination it was brought out
that the doctor was one of the sub
scribers to a found to help prosecute
SprOuse.
Mr.. r. b. Daniel testified to having
heard the shOts.
Homer Jackson, who lives near
Sprouse's home, testified that on jan
nary 26, Deputy Sheriff Butcher had
asked him to assist in the arrest of
Sprouse. In passing through Ford
wick the prisoner said "Ill get him, -
Boyd On cross-examination
the fact was brought out that witness
the prisoner, and he contra
1icted direct examination.
VIM, Devericks had heard Sprouse
say in Jail in January that he would
get even with Boyd who had given in
leading to his arrest.
M. W. Butcher could not recall the
name of the man Sprouse said he would
get even with. He said on cross exami-
nation that he had never heard of
Boyd until the murder.
G. V. Decoursy said be had known
oprouse for several years. On one oc
casion he was talking to Sprouse. Boyd
walked by and the prisoner said
There a-- have no use for"
He warned Boyd, who made no an
swer.
Newton Jordan: Heard Sprouse say
on day of murder I'm going to get
my man today" Knew Sprouse only
by sight.
Julius Smith hea-d prisoner make
the same remark.
Cooper Irwin said that while at the
depot Sprouse said he would be back
in two or three weeks, and he wanted
to get two more, morning Bob SprOuse
and witness.
Robert Clifton testified as to arrest
of prisoner. Said on cross-examina
ton that Sprouse appeared under the
influence of liquor.
W. G.. Angus correlated the testi
mony of Julius Smith about the state
ment of prisoner "that l III get my mai
today" He said Sprouse was perfect
ly sober.
Chas. Platter and J. ID. Goodall, col
ored. testified to seeing the shooting
and that Boyd fell at last shot.
J. l. Ford testified that he was il
bed at the time the shooting occurred
aud was told of it by hfs wife. He wen
to the doctors office where he say
Sprouse lying on the operating table
was swearing a good deal. Heard pr
soner say ''Some one please shoot me
I've done a crime for which | deserv
hanging" Was one of the men de
putized to take prisoner to depot
While waiting for train Sprouse sal
to him. There's one man glad / I
in trouble, Bob Sprouse; he blames III
for stealing his wife. But | III be bac
in few days; Stanton Jail won't boil
me I'll get him. On cross-exam
nation said he thought prisoner wa
drunk, as he staggered right smar
That crys of lynch him, shoot bin
etc., were frequently heard.
THE DEFENSE.
The first witness called by the d
tense was J. W. Kyle, also residel
of Fordwick. The witness stated th
in his opinion Sprouse was drunk al
that he staggered ''light smart. y
Mr. Kyle told the story of the shoe
ing most infinitely. He heard Sprou
say to Boyd II made you stand off on
before and I'll do it again.
Boyd replied; you're a damn,
liar" He said that Boyd picked up
rock and Sprouse did also. Both col
menced throwing at close range. Th
had the rock battle from the stone
: the pOstoffice. A large crowd witnes
ed the fuss, several crying "Give it
l 80 / 1,