Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-21
Leading Counsel for Accuses Judge
Says That Venom Is Back
Of Prosecution.
LAWYER LEWIS DENIES CHARGE
Attorneys Lett, aathelor, Jones and
Mems of This City, TIE tify About
the Habits of Judoe-Mr. Lett Took
Blackstone to Kelley Cure About
IN &c Years 400.
lsneeIaI 10 INC paLly rregsl


RICHMOND VA. The investiga
ton of the charges against Judge j.
w. G. blackstone OF the Eleventh
Circuit for whose removal on the
ground OF incompetency. drinking
and immortality petition was pre-
scented to the GENERAL assembly. was
commenced before the House com
m!ttee on courts Of Justice today.
There were larse crowds present
At MI three sessions ans all the tcs-
timony offered was listened to with
intense interest.
Burdotte \. Lewis. senior counsel
for The prosecution in the inve stiga.
ton of the CHARGES against Judge I.
w. c. Blackstone OF The Eleventh
judicial Circuit. announced tonight
'hat he would conclude his case to-
morrow night
c. Aylsit AshDy, Tor the defense.
10 'hwith announced that he had
handed the scrgeant-at- arms the
names OF 36 witness for tie defense,
and said that his case would be An
ished by SATURDAY or Monday night.
The case will be argued Tuesday and
the report of the committee pres ut
cd to tic general assembly not later
than Wednesday.
Already the members of the House
and Senator have announced their
views of the case. based on the evil
denoe in todnys hearing, and the
sentiment, so far rs can be ascer-
tanned, is about divided. One nfm-
entail member OF the House saiA to-
night In the presence of a number
of his colleagues that he would ad-
vocatc the removal OF Judge Black
stone whenever the report is made
Others frankly stated that they be-
l!eve tho judges incompetency. If
such exists. IL due to comparison
With his former brlllancy. ana his
physical :nhrmities. Nothing of a
sensational character developed this
afternoon or tonight. Most or The
10 or more witnesses were lawyers.
all of whom, except two, stated that
the judge had defined within the last
four years intellectually and his rep.
utation for sobriety and morality in
| his community we're rad.
Will Not Call Women TO StanI.
a great surprise was sprung on
The defense at the conclusion OF the
afternoon heating. when Attorney
Lewis announced that he would have
no use for the Phocbus women, Ma
nile Shafer and Bortle Mason. upon
whom ii was thought the prosecution
relied 10 sustain the CHARGES of i'm
morality. The women were allowed
to leave for home.
The only witness who testified in
any manner concerning the immor-
atty charge was Captain G.. w Holt
who said that he left Judge Black
stone nj house in Phoebus late one
night.
claude V. spratlcy testified that
he had seen Judge blackstone ink
ing prior To the time he lett for
Phoebus. Clerk H. II. Holt of the
Circuit Court of Elizabeth City coun-
~ and Judge Etsar Montague. com
monwealth's attorney for HAMPTON
were strongest witness introduced by
| defense of the accused Holt stated
that he had been a court clerk for IS
years. and that he had neye. seen
! SO capable n judge as Blackstone
The docket according to the witness,
in Judge Blackstone's court is
scarcely half so large as 1t was fon.
years ago. prior TO the time that the
new constitution went into effect.
Judge Montague Evasive.
Judge Montague. while on the stand
said that he wouls prefer not to an
swer the question concerning the
general reputation of the accused
b The committee insisted. and he made
response. Some people say his sep-
utat!on is good, Others say it is bad,
turning TO Attorney Lewis. he added
Il can say no more than that for
you or any other man OF my acquaint
arce."
: The chief questions discussed and
argued this afternoon and tonight
concerned the occasions of which
Judge blackstone Is alleged to have
fallen asleep on the bench. First III
I 1906 curing the Sheets housebreak-