The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-12
F I'VE YEARS FOR
YOUNG PATTERSON.
Henrico Youth Convicted Of At
tempted Criminal Assault on
Miss Crittenden.
COMMITTED THREE YEARS AGO
Patterson Then Left County and
Had lot Long Returnctl-Aged
Father Broken-EIeartcd.


William Patterson, tho young Henrico
assault upon Miss Nora crlttenden, aged
eighteen years, of the county, was found
guilty by the jury late yesterday afternoon,
and his punishment fixed at five years in
the pententiary. a motion by Mr.. II. NJ.
Smith, Jr.. for arrest of Judgment and
another motion to set aside the verdict
as being contrary to the law and the
evidence were made and the latter mo-
tion will he considered by Judge Scott
on the 18th. In the meanwhile Patterson
VIII remain in Jail.
The case was given to the jury at
$50 O'Clock yesterday k,fteano0l ind
4 vcrdiCt was reached at 6:4O o clock. Just
or elaboration. II was
understood that there were a few MEM
bers of the jury who held out for a long
or term in the pcnitentiary. Mr.. FL j..
Lorraine was made foreman of the jury
which for two days has been listening to
the evidence and the argument in the
case.
Patterson heard the reading of the
verdict without IL culver. lic stood with
both hands upon the bar as Clerk Waddlll
read the Indictment, the finding of the
Twelve men WHO I1du WulCitu lllt tdS's
from the beginning of the trial. ami
when he took his seat he looked around
over the courtroom to sec his friends
who were in the rear. once he spoke to
his attorney. Mr.. Smith, and later con-
verscd with his father.
The father of the prisoner was more
affected by the verdict than was the
son. He. an aged gentleman. who has
borne an excellent reputation in bis COM
munity, had been III constant attendance
upon the trial and was confident all day
that he would take his son back to his
home last night. Tho verdict was ter
rible blow to him and he showed the
result of the strain he was undergoing.
as the young man was led away to the
Jail by Deputy Sheriff Ferrtcr.
Story of the Crime.
Practically all of the evidence in the
case was before the jury when the ses-
sion begun yesterday morning A few
persons We're put on the stand to testify
as to the character of the accused and
the case was submitted
1t was after twelve o'clock when the
commemorative Attorney and Mr.. Smith
finished arguing the instructions for the
jury. Judge Scott read the instructions in
an impressive manner and Mr.. Wenden-
berg opened the argument for the pro-
secuton. He reviewed the evidence. lay
ing particular stress upon the testimony
of tho young girl, her extreme youth ut
the time of the commission of the crime -
it was alleged 10 have happened in June,
of 1ao2-and appealed 10 the Jurors as
men of Virginia to protect the woman
hood against such men as the prisoner.
Mr.. Smith. attorney for the prisoner.
argued for about one hour and half,
closing about three o'clock, when n recess
was taken until 5 o'clock in the after
noon. Mr.. Wendenberg argued for one
hour, attacking the line of defense and
again appealing for the infliction Of Sc
we're punishment upon the prisoner.
The courtroom was fairly well filed
with spectators all day and many were
of the opinion that the jury would fail
to agree.
On June 2, 1902, Patterson, who at that
time was employed by the father of Miss
Crittenden as a helper on the farm is
alleged to have attempted an assault
upon the young lady. She informed
friend who in turn told her father of the
treatment. A few days afterwards a
warrant was issued for Patterson's ar
rest But In the meanwhile he had
learned Of the issuance of the warrant
and had skipped away. He went, accord
ing to his testimony. to Baltimore and
Philadelphia. He returned and lived in
the county for a short while prior to his
arrest,