New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-15
He. BEATT|E, JR., INDICTED
Trial for Murder of His Wife to
Begin Next Monday.
MONTH AFTER THE TRAGEDY
Court Ruled That the Common
wealth Demanded a Speedy
Trial of the Case.

Chesterfield Courthouse, Va, Aug. IA
Henry Clay Beattie. IT.. viii be placed on
trial for his life here next Monday in the
little red brick courthouse, built more than
one hundred and sixty years ago. A grand
jury to-day returned a true bill against
him, charging wife murder, aud IL con
victed IN the first degree he may be sent
10 the electric chair. Counsel for the DC
fence fought hard for pcstponement OF the
case, but Judge Walter A. Watson. Of the
Chesterfield Circuit Court. held that the in
terests Of the commonwealth demanded a
speedy trial. and accordingly set the case
for week from to-day.
Already held guilty by a coroners jury
Of having shot his bride in a motor car
or the night OF July IS the Indictment OF
Beattie to-day was purely perfunctory.
Only four witnesses were heard. but tho
Jurors deliberated FOR two hours before they
returned the broad Indictment covering all
degrees of homicide.
Neither Paul Beattie cousin OF the de-
PENDANT. nor Beulah Binford, for the love
or whom the stat will charge that Beattie
killed his wife. appeared before the jury.
although both were brought here from Rich
mond.
Miss Binford. now only seventeen years
old. wore blue tailor suit and a big pict-
ure hat She appeared unruffied by the
stares Of the curious, although che shielded
her face from photographers with her fam
No one except attaches Of the Sheriff S
Office was allowed 70 speak 10 her.
Not only was the defendant not present
in court today. but no member Of his i'm
mediate family appeared. His aged father
has said that he will stand by him 20 the
end. but he avoided the notorlety Of at
tending to-day's proceedings. Thomas ow-
en-. an uncle OF Beatties wife, was grand
jury witness. and was the only relative
from that side Of the case.
striking feature Of the day was tho
absence OF women. There was not one
black or white in court The little court
room holds normally only fifty persons. but
perhaps one hundred and fifty crowded into
II to-day. while others swarmed about win
dcws and doors. Perhaps 10 discourage
future attendance OF curiosity seekers al
the trial Judge Watson commanded all dis
interested spectators 20 remain standing
He wilted many in this way, and several
OF the less tenacious retired.
| Il. II. Smith. jr., and Hill Carter. both
well known criminal lawyers. appeared 10
Reattles behalf Both pleaded that The
trial begin not earlier than the first Mon
day I'm September. but L. o. Wendenburs
and I. VI. Gregory. for the prosecution. ar
gued that the sentiment Of the people de-
ruanded swift justice and won their point.
/ In charging the grand Jurors. Judge Wat
son said that the Midlothian Turnpike
here the crime was committed had "be-
come as well known as Wall Street He
| lamented tine brutal features OF the case
without referring 20 Beattie by name. and
deplored the noto~iety brought 70 the com
munity He said. in conclusion: II charge
that YOU diligently inquire at whose hands
an innocent and dcfenccless young lady
came 70 her death. and with reasonable GER
tainty 10 identify the perpetrator, that We
may place him on his trial.