The Detroit times., 1911-09-07
COURTS CHARG[|
SLIGHTLY FAVORs
BEATT|E
Judge WAtson Dwells Particulsrly
On Question Of Reasonable Doubg1
Case May Go To Jury Late
This Evening.
Beulah Binford Is Released and
Leaves for New York 10 Begin
Stage Career. "a

CHESTERFIELD cOURTHouSu<
Va. Sept 7.-Ths final scene IN the
dramatic fight by Henry Clay Beattie-<
Jr. to escape the electric chair on (he7
charge OF wife murder was staged here<
today, when Judge Watson instructe<I.
the Jury and counsel on both sideet
summed MP the case. The expectations
were that the case would so 10 the (
jury late this evening. though a1ii-<
tonal time may be asked. by counsel
Judge Watsons charge TO the jurx
was guarded In its. statement Of the
case. The general Impression in the
courtroom. however. was that Il slikhft
ly favored the prisoner. The judge
dwelt particularly on the question o.
Reasonable doubt Beaftie himGeIk
appeared TO regard the charge as fRv-.
orable and was visihly pleased.
The accused man WINGED at the bit<
ter denunciation OF Attorney Gregory,
who summed up for the prosecution;
but frightened up at the impressive.
plea Of his counsel. Hnl Carter. as ho|
pictured Beattie as "An amiabIe<
peaceful young man. Incapable Of the,
fiendish crime with which ne ~
charged" q 4.
Paul Beattie. cousin OF Henry ClaH
Beattie. Jr., who was the commons,
wealth's star witness against the man
accused OF wife murder, and Beula1
Binford, Henry's .7yeax-old sweet
heart, who has been held as q mate
rial witness against him. were both
released from Henrico county jail here
today by order OF Judge Watson.
Paul Beattie left the jail as soon as
notified Of Judge watson's order.
Beulah Binford. however, declared
sne was not yet ready to depart. and
remained In her cell. She was evt-
IDENTITY surprised and nervous at the
idea OF leaving.
Paul, however. was overjoyed at his
release, and started at once for the.
home where his wife and baby haY8
been awaiting his coming for weeks
IAN attempt by the prosecution TO
prevent the release Of the two Wit
nesses until the Beattie jury returned
q verdict failed, Judge Watson ruling
that there was no excuse for holding
them when they could no longer take
che stand.
IT am glad TO get out of that Jail"
said Paul "It wasn't so bad after
got used to II, but II wasn't q pleas
ant place to be-"
Immediately after notification Of her
release, Beulah Binford sent for Der
mother. The latter visited the jail
and had long talk with her daugh-
ter.
II developed later that Beulah was
waiting TO hear from vaudeville
booking agent In New York.
When she boarded the train. Beulah
was accompanied by three young mem.
strangers In Richmond. They were!
evidently representatives OF the orr
ganiEation which has secured the SER
vices Of the 17-year-old girlwoman.'
Beulah said she might stop on IN
washington to play brief vaudeville
engagement while enroute to New
York, but that no definite plans for
her immediate future had been made
Through the crowd u closed auto
mobile dashed. II drew up at the Jail
entrance. After the girl had entered
the car the crowd gathered 30 closely
for q sight of the "other woman" thai
Il was with the greatest difficulty that
the chauffeur succeeded In starting
his machine. With the help of police
men, a path was finally cleared. For
blocks the crowd attempted to fol-
low.
Although the wordy arguments for
the life OF Henry Clay Beattie, Jr,,
were begun today, detectives for the
prosecution were hard at work look
ing up new witnesses In the case.
I'VE are figuring on the possibility
or a mistrial," said Detective Scherer.
"and are taking no chances. II We
can obtain any evidence we viii do
SO. whether we can use 1t now or
not" sg
With this object In view, detectives
today were on the trail OF man who
claimed to be an eyewitness to the
staying OF Louise Owen Beattie on
the lonely Midlothian Turnpike. The
man, who was employed at q farm
adjoining the road at the scene OF the
crime, wrote a letter TO Scherer. de-
claring that following a quarrel be-
tween the couple he saw the man
- fr..ss...a Waww~