The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-28
MUTE WITNESSES
FIGURE IN TRIAL
OF H. c. BEATT|E
Automobile, Gun, Shell and
Bloody Clothing Are
Exhibited
DEFENSE is CALLED
UPON TO EXPLAIN
Could Not Do it Morning At
ter the Crime and it is
Now Up to His
Attorneys

Mute witnesses in the trial of Henry
Clay Beattie figured largely in Sat-
urday's proceedings. The automobile,
the wicked looking gun, the bloooy
clothing, and the loaded shell. all are
Low in evidence. and there is much
about them all to give the accused ana
his counsel opportunity for the exer-
else Of their wits to the fullest ex-
tent to satisfactorily explain their ex-
lstence and conditions TO the Jury.
An interesting phase OF the proceed
ings Saturday came when, a bout noon
Mr.. Nendenburg asked that the jury
be permitted To examus the automo-
bile, then housed nearby, ia which
Henry Clay Beattie, Jr, carried his
wife out riding on the night Of July
is, and brought her back 90 the home
of Mr.. Tom Owen, in less lnan an
hour, bleeding co, pse
1t was agreed that the court the
jury, counsel for defense ana their
client, the court officers and repre-
sentatiFes of the Commonwealth should
be present at the examination but
that no word should be spoken To the
Jurors as they examined the automo-
bile.
The twelve men were escorted to the
machine, which had been quickly
/ brought to the court green. and they
made a careful and conscientious ex-
animation OF every part OF its meehan-
ism.
Shows No Crack.
The fact that the automo bile shows
no crack. hole or crevice OF any kind
whatsoever by which the blood OF
the murdered girl could have es-
capped 10 the ground vas q startling
one To the accused when it was di-
-Scted to his attention the morning
after the murder. With the machine
! before him and the accusing blood
| spot in the road he was compelled
to say, in reply TO a question pu,
him by Mr.. Scherer, that he could
not explain 1t.
He could not explain Il then The
world IS now waiting with intense
interest for his counsel 10 explain i,
for him
According to the oft-repeated story
told by the accused to scores Of PEG,
PIE, the body OF his dead wife wa,
never on the ground. Nor did Il
/ fall SO that the head would projec
over the side Of the automobile IL
/ such way that the blood could
! have gotten TO the ground direct
/ from the gaping wound in her face
/ for the blood spot was on the slds
I or the machine Where tine brake rod
/ and large extra tire effactually
/ barred the way. The existence Of
/ the blood spot has not been ex-
! planned under any other hypothesi,
/ than that the unfortunate woman
! was shot while standing on the
ground
An interesting feature on Saturday
came about when w. T. Brown. a
/ stercotyper, was sworn after the ar
! ternoon session began. Brown vas the
man who found the loaded shell near
{ the scene Of the murder in the woods
near the stump which has figured Sc
/ largely In the testimony The gun was
/ brought into court again in conr-c-
ton with Browns testimony.
( Beattie Reaches For Gun.
! While II was Being held by the
sheriff. Attorney II, NJ. Smith OF the
/ defense reached for it and began ia
/ examine II. when. the accused. as II
! TO Chow his counsel how TO 'hrea k,
/ A. reached over and placed his hand
( on It. with an expression Of very lively
/ interest on his face.
/ Mr.. Smith did not relinquish his
! grasp on the gun. evidently fearing
the impression that II might make on
rhe jury's mind for his client to show
It too i1tflYlaGe knowledge or the work
! ings of the ancient weapon.