Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-07-31
cRAzED BY Drink
A Drunken Murderer's Defense
Before Judge and Jury

a
ing of saloons as preached before
court OF justice by nan con
demned for numbering his wife
while crazed by strong drink:
"Prisoner at the bar, have you
anything to say why sentence Of
death shall not be passed upon
you'll"
A solemn hush fell over the
crowded court room, and every
person waited 10 almost breathleps
expectation for the answer to The
Judges question.
The Judge waited in dignified
silence.
Not whisper was heard any
where, and the situation had be.
come painfully oppressive, WREN
the prisoner was seen to move. his
head was raised, his hand was
clinched. and the blood had
rushed into his pale care.worn
face.
Suddenly he arose to his feet.
aud in low, firm. but distinct
voice. said:
81 have? Your honor, you
have asked me question, and |
now ask, as the last favor on
earth, that you will not interrupt
my answer until am through.
81 stand here before this bar,
convicted of wllful murder Of my
wife. Truthful witnesses have
testified to the fact that was
Ioafer, drunkard, and wretch /;
that | returned from one of nv
prolonged debeuches and fred the
fatal shot that killed the wife
had sworn to love, cherish and pro-
tect. While I have no remembrance
CT committing the fearful deed, |
have no right TO complain or to
condemn the verdict of the twelve !
good men who have acted as jury
in the case, for their verdict is in
accordance with the evidence.
"But may it Please the court, l
wish to show that / am not clone /
responsible for the murder of my
wife !"
This startling statement created
a tremendous sensation. The
Judge leaned over the desk, the
lawyers wheeled around and faced
tie prisoner, the jurors looked at
each other in aHazement, while
the spectators could hardly sup
press their intense exciten emit.
The prisoner paused few seconds
and then continued in the same
firm, distinct voice.
81 repeat, your honor. that am
not the only enc guilty of che II ur-
der of NY wife. The Judge on
this bench, the jury in the box,
the lawyers within this bar, ana
most of the witnesses, including
the castor of the old church, are
also guilty before Almighty God,
and will have to stand with me be-
fore His Judgment Throne, where ,
we shall all be lighted usly judged.
at 1t had not been for the sa
looms Of my town, | never would
have become drunkard; my wife :
would not be murdered;
would not have been here now,
ready to be hurled into eternity.
Had it not been for these human
IrspS, | would have been q sober
man, al industrious worR man, a
tender fatte r aid loving tus
band. BIT today my home is des- :
.royed, my wife murdered my little
'hildrer-GUd bless them cast
)ut on the mercy of the world, I,
Shile | am to be hung by tie .
'trcng arm Of the Sta,e. :
"God knows, ! tried to reform, c
,ut as long as he open saloon was o
n my pathway, my weak, diseased II
W. no match againsl {
he fearful, consuming, agonizing o
appetite for liqror.
''F0E one year our town Was .
a salCor. Fer ore year !
vas sober mar. For one veal K
ny wife and children were faIpy, 9
nd our little home paradise. L
81 was o:e OF those mo signed K
ell onstrances against re-oLenirg t
he saloons of our town. One v
alf Of this jury, the prosecuting a
ttorney on this case, and the q
Judge who sits on this bench, all t,
oted for the saloons. BY their b.
otes and influence saloors were "
e-opened, and they have made me
that | AM. 81
The lmpassloned words CT the W
risoner fell like Goals of fire upon Ii
he hearts of those present, and al
lany Ct the spectators and some sc
the lawyers were poved to tears. al
he Judge made a melton as if to L
top further speech, when the ga
peaker hastily said: al
"No! No! your honor, do not tt
ose my lips; | am nearly through. o.
81 began my downward career h,
a saloon bar-legalized and o.
rejected by the voters of this
'wn. After the saloons you ell ~
wed have made me a drunkard ~
nd murderer, l am taken be- tu
re another bar the bar of Just. ar
~ end now the law-nnwer will