The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-26
BEATTIE TRIAL
The Jury Completed Will Now
Proceed, Etc.

Proceed, Etc.
The jury which will decide
whether or not IL. c. Beattie, Jr., OF
Richmond, shall so to the electric
chair convicted of wife-murder was
completed Wednos day at Chesterfield
lC. H.. and the battle for a hui
man life began Thursday morning.
The prisoner was locked up for
the night In the little Jail at Ches-
terrified c. II. and will not be re-
turned to the Richmond Jail during
the trial
Made up almost entirely OF lean
bronZed-faced farmers, the jury as
completed, follows the lines as in
dicated by Mondays selection.
Beattle conferred earnestly with
his lawyers and studied intently the
faces in the full panel OF 16 men
before the defense decided on its
Examinations. Then, after a moment
Of whispered conversation with II. NJ
Smith, jr., his chief counsel, the pris-
oner nodded his head and the clerk
announced that the names OF four
farmers selected on Monday wer
DROPPED from the list.
In charging the Jurors, who will
be kept during the trial at an
old tavern near courthouse. Judge
Watson set forth the law of Viz
| ginia.as applicable to homicide. As
the indictment covers all degrees,
from the first degree to involuntary
manslaughter, he explained that the
defendant might be found guilty
accordingly.
IF you find him guilty OF muir
der In the first degree" said the
court. you shall say so and nothing
mOre.in which event the punishment
shall b. death. but If you find him
guilty of murder In the second de-
gree, you shall say so, and shall fix
punishment by confinement in the
penitcntiary at not less than
nor more than Is years"
After citing the penalty for less
.er degrees of mansaughter the
court concluded with the words
that iii you find the prisoner not
guilty OF any Of offenses charged
you shall say so and no more"
None OF the witnesses was on
hand. and those who came to see
Beulah Binford were disappointed.
In discussing the plans of the
prosecution. Associate Counsel Wen
denburg said
I'VE are prepared to meet in re-
buttal any effort the defense may
make 10 attack the alibi OF Paul
Beattie. who bought for Henry the
shotgun with which Mrs. Beattie
was killed. Henry is guilty and we
can prove IL beyond reasonable
doubt"
How long do you anticipate will
be required for the State to put in
its case?" was asked
II cannot say" replied the law
yer. THE psychological moment to
rest our case may come early. We
may not have to call all tho witness
es we have ready to testify"
Beattie was almost the coolest
person in the courthouse. Though
the automobile in which he was
taken TO Chesterfield was nearly run
down al a crossing by a Seaboard
Air Line r. r. train. his nerve was
mistaken and his nonchalance was
frequently remarked. lie seemed
more bored than interested. He
posed for his photograph. read pa
pers and was to all intents and
purposes no more concerned in the
proceedings than any casual spec
tator
As usual the tiny courtroom was
packed with yeniremen and specta-
tors.
With the changing of the old bell
above main entrance to the court
house court was convened at 70
O'Clock by Judge Watson. The 12ju
rors filed to their chairs. Henry
Clay Beattie. Sr., father Of accused,
silently took his seat beside his son.
whom he kissed on the cheek with
parental affection The elderly gem
tleman is the one pathetic figure at
the trial
a significant fact was the abb
sonce OF feminine attendance Only
two women were in the courtroom
and these were reporters for news
papers north OF Mason and Dixon
line
The selection OF the remaining ju-
rors was accomplished without unex-
pected delay and adjournment was
taken early.
Beattie's lawyers have guarded
their program zealously and nobody
knows but themselves whether or no
Beattie will be put on stand That
the failure OF the accused 10 testi-
fy in his own behalf would create
an unfavOrable impression. suggest
ing a fear TO come within range
OF the Commemorative batteries,
is inevitable. But the law states
that The defendants failure to tes-
tify shall create no presumption
against him nor be the subject Of
any comment before court or jury
by the prosecuting attorney"
Beulah Binford made no demon
stration when young Beattie was
taken from the Henrico county Jail
She stayed inside her cell. though
Paul Beattie stood silent and mo-
rose in the corridor as his cousin
walked through.
The Binford girls remuneration of
the prisoner Is not taken seriously
by officials
Just talking through her hat"
said one OF them.
Very few people believe in the
girls sincerity, and think she some
how hopes to turn her alleged fear
OF Beattie to her own account.
She's nobodv's fool" said a res
ident. There's more in her head
than there looks to be-"
Beulah Binford will be put on
the stand late In the trial, and she
promises TO show that she was not
the girl in the case"
SEVEN WITNESSES TESTIFY
Raaffie Iisfena CalmlY-Anfn Teat to