Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13
Washington Finishes and Anderson,
REGARDED as Oefense's Ab|est
Advocate, Begins.
PLEADS CLIENTS. JUSTIFICATION
Last Speaker Declares Killing Would
Have Been Lawful at Even an
Earlier Date-Speech Unfinished
Washing ton Adopted Melodramatie
1actics-State Has the Closing.
(Ry Associated Press.1

(By Associated Press.)
NASHVILLE. TENN. March IL
The biggest gun of the defenSeS bat
tcrics was trained upon the State to-
day when Judge James McFerran An
derson began his argument in the
trial of Col. ID. b. and Robin Cooper
and John d. Sharp tor the murder or
former United States Senator f. W.
Carmack
Judge Anderson, who is considered
one of the ablest criminal lawyers in
he State, is chief counsel for the de-
Tense.
Strangely enough he was close
personal friend and political supporter
of Senator Carmack.
Although in bad, health and worn
with the strain OF ten weeks Of, ac-
tive work. his speech today was
brilliant effort.
Nothing Of the Dramatic.
Anderson is not a dramatic orator.
He adopts no theatrical devices. He
does no; speak in metaphors nor in
dulge in sentimental appeals. Only
once did he refer to Colonel Cooper
as the old soldier" and not once did
he appeal to the sympathies of the
Jurors. He boldly disclaimed any
idea of pleading that any editorial
or speech could justify the Staying
of Carmack. and declared that his
clients case rested solidly and alone
upon the first law implanted in all
human beings-the law of self-preser-
walton.
Needn't Have Waited.
Then he boldly plunged into dis
section of evidence and an applica-
ton OF law and startled his hearers
by solemnly asserting that Robin
would have been justified in killing
Carmack before he did.
He claimed that Colonel Cooper.
after having been assailed in print
and upon the platform. had a right
70 seek out his defamer at any place
he might find him and demand that
these assaults stop.
He claimed further that Rotin had
a right to go with his father, and that
both of them had a right to 60 armed
for their own protection. II they be-
lieved their protestations and de-
mands would lead to an assault upon
.hem
.IuOXe AHuti SOu ucSloiC Gu thoS Sh"~'
was the law, that he quoted it merely
to show how strongly the courts pro-
,ect the right Of selfdefense and to
make manifest Robin Cooper's reluc-
lance to shoot until he had himself
heen shot
An immense throng gathered to
hear Judge Anderson. but splendid
order was maintained.
soeaker Became Exhausted.
The speaker grew very weak abort
400 and asked an adjournment nm
ii, tomorrow. when he will close the
defense's case He will be followed
nv Attorney General McCarn. who
will close for the State. and after the
Judges charge. the case will go to
the jury
When court opened General Wash
ington began the conclusion OF his ar
gument
Opening with reference to the at
tack on bradford. he said:
These hungry. starving lawyers for
the prosecution. hungry and starving
for facts. would have YOU believe tnat
this splendid lawyer. this Christian
gentlemen this SCION Of an arIsfo
cratic old family Suddenly became a
raging 'he-devil.
As Great IS Hobson.
He thea passed TO a defense Of
General Tullev Brown. and after re-
riting the latter's war record said:
Il tell Won Brown Us as much hero
as Hobson was. Yet they say ne
lied"
Washington then made an attack
on the testimony of Miss lee indrlg
ing in mimicry which brought a
laugh 90 the crowd lined M beh'nd
the defendants. previously referred TO
nv Attorney General McCarn as ;he
defendants rooters."
General WASHINGTON then turned
his attention to the actual shooting.
and with the aid Of a messenger hoy.
rc-enacfe! the tragedy in accordance
with his theory He declared that
Robin had a right TO shoot Carmack
like dog.
Ten. seriptursI story.
Again and again he said hat Car
mact was a coward: that he hid b.
hind Mrs, Eastman trying 10 get his
revolver ready for action. Then
washington returned TO the scathsrd
found in Carmack's overcoat oocket
compared u and the Carmack pistol