The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-15
SELF DEFENCE
RA|NEY's PLEA
Killed Father-inLaw, Fl. Il.
Lewis, to Save His Own
Life.
FIRST HEARING TO-DAY
Preliminary Trial Before Mag
Estate 2, M. Buiford at 5
O'clock.
FIRST HEARING TO-DAY

Charged with inflicting fatal wounds
on his father-in-law, Frank Rainey.
a well known young man of the coun-
ty, is now out on bail awaiting a pre-
liminary hearing that will be given
before Magistrate p. NJ. Binford Mon
day afternoon at o'clock.
Rainey will plead that he killed his
father-in-law, II. f. Lewis, In self
defense. infiicttng the wounds that re-
suited in the other mans death while
he was himself in danger of having
the life choked out of him.
Struck In Defense.
According TO two eye witnesses to
the tragedy. Rainey had no other
course open to him unless he intend
ed to give up without a struggle aud
let his powerful opponent take his life.
The trouble occurred Saturday night.
when Rainey and his young wife went
to the home of her parents for can
According to the evidence given at
the coroner's inquest they found
Lewis on a spree and shortly after
their arrival the two men became In
volved In an argument which devel-
oped into a struggle between them.
Lewis was powerful man, weigh
ing about 200 pounds. while Rainey
Is slight and weighs not over 125
pounds. His heavier antagonist Sc
cured a hold on his throat and he
began quickly TO weaken from strang-
ulation. His wife tried to intervene
but her frail strength was of no avail
and she was forced to stand by and
see her husband gradually giving in
to the superior strength OF the larger
man.
Mrs, Lewis heard the sounds of
the fight and rushed into the room
and made an effort to separate the
com batants, but without success.
Lewis was deaf to her pleading that
he release his hold and Rainey, find
ing that he could not much longer
endure the pressure Of Lewis fingers
on his throat. secured a small knife
from his pocket and made several
desperate lunges at the face and
throat of his opponent.
Two blows took effect between the
eyes of the larger man and third in
the throat. Lewis retained his hold
for a moment after receiving the
wounds, but suddenly released Rainey,
who jumped away and ran for doc
tor to attend the wounds OF the other
man.
Wounds Prove Fatal.
DIR. A. l.. Martin, of Chestnut HILL
responded quickly to the summons,
who did all he could for the wounded
man. but could not save his life.
Lewis died of his wounds early Sun
| day morning
| Following the fight Rainey went to
| the home Of Mr.. w. NJ. Milan, who ia
| constable, and spent tho night al
his house. Sunday morning he was
| taken to Henrico jail and locked up.
Sheriff Kemp, Coroner Deas and
| Commonwealth Attorney Gum were
| notified and a coroner's jury was i'm
panelled for an inquest that was held
in the Lewis home at o'clock Sun
| day afternoon. The only witnesses
were Mrs Lewis and her daughter
Raineys wife. who substantiated ths
| story told by the young man. The
jury did not fix the blame for the
death, but found that Lewis came to
wounds.
Released on Bail.
Immediately following the Inquest
| Mr. Milan offered to go on the bono
| of the prisoner and Commonwealth,
Attorney Gum accepted his bond fol
$500.
Rainey Is employed by Mr.. Milar
and has been working on his farn
for some time. His employer gives
\ him excellent reputHtfon and de
clares that he is always sober and
industrious. Rainey 10 twenty-thre,
years old and has been married only
! few months.
Following the inquest the body o,
Lewis was removed to Bliley's under
taking establishment and was latel
sent to his old home in Spotsylvanis
| county. Lewis was mechanic In
the employ of the Richmond branch
| of the American Locomotive Works.