Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-06-24
TOday's Telegraphic News.
The Loving Trial.

Houston, Va, June 24.--Upon bis
daughters testimony depends whether
Judge W. P. Loving, Thomas F. Rysn's
close friend and manager Of the latter's
Oak RiIge estate, shall die on the
gsliows, or almost certainly be acquitted
under the unwrltten law for the killing
of Theodore l. Estes, April %.
Though Miss Loving has plainly de-
termined what story TO tell the jury, nc
indication has been given to the public
of her decision. 1t is expected, how
ever, that the selection OF a jury will
occupy but short time following the
opening of the trial today, and Miss
Loving will doubtless be the first witness
for the defense.
The prosecution will seek to prove
that the killing of Estes was wholly un-
provoked. The defense will represent
that Estes piled Miss Loving with drink
for the purpose OF mistreating her. Ii
is rumored that another young woman
will swear to a similar experience with
young Estes.
Judge Loving, who surrendered in
mediately after the shooting, makes no
concealment of the fact that Estes was
popular and that be has many enemies
in Nelson county, their home. 1t was
for this reason that he secured change
of venue to Houston.
Fully $50 witnesses and friends OF
Estes and Loving are gathered here for
the trial fixed for today. Judge Low
ing, usually a silent, moody man, ap-
pears in excellent spirits as If confident
of acquittal. Miss Loving seems little
depressed by the ordeal through which
she is to pass, and is communicative
concerning the story she will tell. She
talks freely and cheerfully with her close
| friends.
Nine Jurors we're accepted during the
opening session.
The sixty.fOur venireman summoned
are mostly farmers. OF those accepted
several said they had read no account
of the tragedy. A number of men were
rejected because they expressed opposi-
ton to the death penalty. One pleaded
exemption under a Virginia law which
permits a farmer to refuse jury duty dur
ing harvest.
Judge Loving appeared in court COM
posed, but haggard. His corps of at
torneys and number of personal friends
surrounded him.
Miss Loving showed intense nervous
meas when court opened, and tears fell
from her eyes when the examination OF
the veniremen progressed. Later she
grew more composed and smiled at some
Of the amusing remarks from candidates
for jury duty.
George Fortune, uncle Of Thomas F.
Ryan, is among those at Judge Loving's
elbow at the trial table.
Attorney John Lee, of Lynchburg, is
conducting the examination Of jurors for
The defense and Commemorative At
.oruey Wood Bauldin, of Halifax, for
the State.
Erect and defiant, but with tear
dimmed eyes, Judge Loving listened To-
day to the reading of the indictment
charging him with the murder of Theo-
dore Estes, the young LOvingston mer-
chant whom the judge killed because, as
he asserted, the young man had ruined
the formers daughter, Elizabeth Loving,
Miss Loving, too, wept as she heard
her father arraigned. The prisoners
wife was the most composed of any in
the family party.
Less time than usual in such case is
being occupied in the examination Of
veniremen and it is believed that the
jury box will be filled before court ad-
ilnrns t0niRht.