The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-07
GREAT MAJORITY
EXPECT ACQUlTTAL
Few Believe There Will Be Hung
Jury, and Verdict Will Likely
Be Ready When Court Con-
venes This Morning.
Able Pleas on !.
Both Sides. @
ey WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.

IL
CUI.PEPER, VA, March 6,-The jury
in the case of James and Philip Strother,
who have been on trial nine days for tts
killing of their brother law, William s
+. Bywnters, at the bedside OF their Sis e
ter, whom he had been compelled to wed
half-hour before, will return a verdict
probably within an hour after the court
convenes in the morning. 33s ri
There may be a disagreement, but such
termination Of the trial is not expected.
The entire day and three hour session
OF the court tonight was consumed by
argument of counsel. The court would
nave given the case to the jury tonight
had not they indicated desire to wntt
until Tomorrow.
There may or may not be significance
IN the desire of several of the Jurors to
wait twelve hours before making up their
verdict.
The jury listened to between eight and
nine hours Of speeches to-day. Mr.
Moore led off this morning in u twoa
hour speech for the defense. Mr.. Lee,
for the defense, consumed the remainder
OF the morning session, and spoke two
hours In the afternoon
Captain Woods, for the prosecution,
began at 4 o'clock the speech which was
to close the case, spoke until court ad-
journed, few minutes before s O'Clock,
and resumed at Z and spoke until about
10 o'clock. N p{
Argument In Case Up
to Highest Standard.
The argument to-day was OF the
highest order. Mr.. Moore sustained hia
reputation as one OF the ablest lawyers
! In the Commonwealth, ana also one OF
I its most eloquent advocates
His speech was not only an able argu.i
ment so far as discussion of the leEai
questions involved was concerned. but
was a finished piece Of eloquence. MI,
| Lee, always eloquent and forcible, has
hardly surpassed the speech which he.
delivered to-day. There may be two
! opinions as to the wisdom displayed In
the attack which he made upon Captain
1 Woods, quoting from speech made l,y
| the latter at session OF the Virginia
I Bar Association last summer but it$waa
done In a manner that did not give Of
J. fense. apparently. and entertained the,
jury and the audience.
i Captain Woods's address was In soma
respects the equal Of any OF the day.,
In manner as we'll as matter, it conl-
manded not only the attention OF all who
heard It, but the unqualified admiration
of the great majority. 1t was a power
!, full argument for the vindication OF the
law and the upholding OF the dignity OF
the Commonwealth. 1t was also an In
: genious development of the theory OF the
defense, done with such thoruughness aud
/. care that it must have impressed deeply
the twelve men in the jury-box. S
And from start to finish there was lit
tie In 1t to wound the sensibilities Of the
defendants at the bar OR their family.
Vast Majority Expect
) Verdict of Acquittal,
4 1t would be idle to speculate as to the
II probable outcome OF the trial, especially
: upon the eve of verdict. It wal
: noticeable to-day that those who pro
: fessed to expect any other than YER
dict of acquittal We're very few-fewe
|, than on any previous day of the trial.
+ Philip Strother was much better to
h day lnfter his sickness OF yesterday
! although he still occupied the easy chat
@ brought in for him yesterday Mrs
d Strother, wife Of James Strother wa
, again in court by the side of her hus
g band throughout the day. and Mrs. Geo
70 Nj. Williams, kinswoman OF the de
'e PENDANTS. was with her all the time
There was nothing In the appearing
u or the manner of the defendants I
l. indicate that they We're In fear as I
l. the outcome. This has been true OF tn
u boys throughout the trial. though ther
Is has never been the slightest indication
on their part of a tendency to assume
staggering or defiant air.