Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-04-17
VERDICT RECEIVED IN
SILENCE BY THRONG
Judge Robinson Warns Spectators
Against Observation-Disclosures to
Set Aside Verdict Promptly Over
ruled-Goes to Supreme Court
Child's Mother Satisfied.
Daily Press Bureau.

Found guilty of brutal attempt TO
criminally assault nine-year-old Re
becca Chandler the little negro girl
who died from pneumonia two DAYS
after her assailant had been arrested.
r. A. Vandyke. white man AZ years
old and married, was sentenced TO
eighteen years in the penitentiary in
the Circuit Court of Elizabeth City
county this morning. The jury
brought in its verdict at l:4O o'clock.
after having deliberated just one
hour and twenty-five minutes. The
verdict was received III silence, Judge
Robinson's emphatic warning and the
precautions of the officers of the
court serving to prevent any demon
stration the spectators who packed
the room might have been inclined to
make Negroes predomniated in the
crowd. and though they left the court
house in silence it is probable tina.
most of them were far from salts
fled with the verdict.
Vandyke was arrested just little
over week ago. He has been in
dlcted. convicted and sentenced in
five days. Judge Robinson overruled
a motion 10 set aside the verdict.
and Immediately sentenced the pris-
oner. allowing a suspension of SEN
Ience for thirty days for the per-
lection of an appeal.
First Time in State.
1t is said that this is the first time
in the history of the State that
white man has been given the maxi
mum prison sentence for an attack
upon a negro.
The case aroused the most intense
interest here Every day since the trial
began the court room has been
thronged. Remarkably good order
was maintained, under the -cfrcum-
stances. although Judge Robinson
found il necessary several times to
give warning that he would clear the
court room if anything like a demon
station was attempted. This morn
ing when the case was to be given
to the jury the crowd was as large
as ever.
Unusual Scene.
1he court room had presented an
unusual scene from the hour of con-
yening at 10 O'Clock. as Judge Rob-
iBson had taken up the Instruction
asked for by Mr.. r. S. Collier. Van
dykes attorney, and then while the
juTymen were arriving at their YER
dict in one room. the special grand
jury was in session in another anti
room and the main courtroom was
crowded with spectators. while the
bar enclosure was filled with the
liquor dealers who came to have their
license renewed.
Immediately upon the converting OF
the court. Mr.. Collier asked for an
extra instruction. which he desired he
said because OF the conduct of the
commemorative attorney in his argu-
u.ent before the jury on Friday after
noon and night" The instruction
read as follows:
The court instructs the jury that
evidence of statements maze by 9th
ers in the presence of the accused
concerning the crime for which he is
being tried. are admitted only to
show admissions BIZ implication of
law. IL the charge is not Immediately
denied. and If they believe from the
evidence that the defendant immedi-
stely denied the statements Of Re
becca Chandler tina; he had caused
her condition, then they have no right
To consider any statements made
against the accused by Rebecca
Chandler. j; Immediately denied By
him"
After some debate Judge Robinson
decided TO allow the instruction by
adding this clause. But II the jury
believes that he did not deny her
statements. they may properly con
slider it,
With this and the rest Of the re-
cords IN the Jury retired to the room
TO the left Of che bench.
Verdict Unexpected.
After the court had finished issu-
ing the license. and things had
started 10 settle down 20 quiet. the
crowd evidently expecting an extend
ei session Of The jury. knock on the
door OF the room holding the twelve
uen told the court and spectators
that an agreement had been reached.
Sheriff r. X. Curtis answered the
knock and informed Judge Robinson
that the jury desired to render It's
verdict. Bring the jury in.- ordered
the court. ~aad also have al themca
f. the jury box section step TO The
other side"
one By ono came The twelve men,