The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-04
LAWYERS AT ODDS
IN MURDER TRIAL
Intimation That Witnesses Were
Coached Nearly Causes
Trouble.

Washington, D. c.. July 3.--In one
particular only did nine-year- old Ed
die Vondermiller to-day fail to cor
roborate the evidence given by his
mother in efforts to save her husband
from the death penalty. regarding the
circumstances preceding the killing OF
John Reeves by his father. Louis Won.
dermilier.
That his uncle after choking his
mother the sunday night before the
killing, afterward tried to begin to
make up" with Mrs. vondermiller
and put his erm around her and kissed
her. was the acknowled gment made by
the boy on the witness stand this
morning before Judge Thornton in the
County Court OF Alexandria county.
In every other respect Eddie Won
dermiller's testimony agreed with Mrs.
Vondermiiler's account of the happen
lnss OF that stormy day and night.
me boys story was not shaken under
cross examination
commonwealth Attorney Mackcy
accused the boy OF making statements
on the stand at variance with the
declaration he had made to Mr.. Mackey
=
pied that he had told Mr.. Mackey
everything. but that he could not
Know whether or not Mr.. Mackey
wrote 1t down he said It,
Coaching of Boy Intimntcd.
MT. Mackey's intimation that the
BOY mad been coached" for the wit
ness stand nearly precipitated trouble.
what do YOU mean by THAR" de-
manded Mr.. Moncure. of counsel for
the defense. His associate counsel.
Wampler. who had taken the boys
deposition for the defense. glared at
NJ. Mackey resentfully.
Mr. Mackey denied that he had meant
any insinuations against the methods
Of the opposing counsel but when Mr.,
Mackey talked of dead beats" aru
money borrowers. rejecting on Von-
aerniller's practices. the defense tJun i
a new cause for complaint, objectinS
mat the Commemorative Attorney. nv
.hs,i.HauatioI, was distorting facts and
setting before the jury misstatements
pre1ualcial to the defense.
MIR. Mackey's interruption of the re-
pres OF witnesses and his methods OF
oss-eNamination irritated counsel for
the defense.
When Vondermiller came into court
at the opening of to-day's session Vie
father and wife had already taken thair
seats. Passing them on his way 10
ms place within the bar, the prisoner
NOndermillar nd
De Moulin.
That Vondermiller was wifebeater
and therefore feared the vengeance OF
MS brother. was continually alleged nv
commemorative Attorney Mackey in
his cross examination. The 1ofens
asked an instruction from the court :
TO whether the State could make this
an issue in the trial
The court declared that IL would re
d dnse 70 try the question whether Vor-
mated that the defense had openad m
way to permit that line of question
Ing by the State. The ruling OF the
court Will be announced later.
Character of the Testimony.
Besides the son of the prisoner the
Hickey, w. w. Malone. Theodore Gross
ana otto Sontag. Hickey, Malone and
Sonteg were, fellowmembers OF Vor-
Navy Union. They told the vioien I
temper of Vondermiller when in drink
ana Nondcrmiller's erratic action and
ms lear of his brother-in-law. Gross
told of an assault made by Reeves on
Vondermiller a number of wears ago
When Vondermiller was knocked sense
less by Reeves's fist.
Thought EondermilIer Irrational
William Hickey. an associate of Won
dermiiier and Reeves in Roosevelt Gar
A a on 6 SaGs Union H gave his
Reeves was usually drunk and often
Quarrelsome. Vondermiller was re-
garded as erratic by other members OF
the garrison. He regarded Wonder
miller as an irrational man.
"A man who would kill a man as
Nondermiller killed Reeves" said Mr..
hickey, rs either insane or a very:
bad man" This was under cross
examination by tine Commemorative
Attorney and Mr.. Macltey agreed with
the witness.
irrntionniity Suspected.
W. ". Malowe, of Alexandria coun
~ an employe OF the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing. told of actions
Q; Vondermiller which he thought in
dfcated he was not of sound mind
Theodore Gross. OF this city, told OF
an assault made by Reeves upon Won
dermiller May 80, 1905
Nondermiller was compelled to do
whatever Reeves told him to do, said
the witness. He believed Vonde rmilIer
Irrational.