The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1911-08-22
BEATT|E IS NOW
ON TRIAL FOR
WIFE MURDER
MOST SENSATIONAL CASE IN
history OF VIRGINIA WAS
STARTED YESTERDAY.
Prisoner Entered Plea of Not Guilty
and Move for a Pos: 'onement Was
Cenied-Thousands CT G, arss CT
Alleged Wife Murderer.

Chesterfield, Va, Aug. 21.-One OF
the most Spectacular trials in Vir-
ginia history began here with the
arraignment of Henry Clay Beattie,
Jr., of Richmond, this morning, on
an indictment charging wife murder.
More than sixty witnesses were sub
poenaed by the commonwealth, be-
| sides venire of thirty-tw talismen.
Crowds from every direction in the
surrounding country early began
vending their way to the historic
courthouse to catch glimpse of the
merchants son, charged with shoot
ing his young wife while motoring on
Midlothian Turnpike, near Richmond,
on the 18th of July.
Judge Watson convened court, de-
spite the grave illness of his father
in-law, which had given rise to re-
ports of possible postponement of
the case.
Beattie Slept Well.
Before the convening of the court
at 10 o'clock, the dapper young pris-
oner reached the courthouse in an Of
f1cer's custody, after a fifteen-mile
ride from the Richmond Jail, where
he has been incarcerated since the
tragedy of month ago.
His jailers say he slept well, rose
early, ate a light breakfast and en-
joyed his first trip in the open air
since his Imprisonment There was
a slight prison pallor in his face.
Beulah Binford, the pretty seven
teen-year- -old woman in the case"
made no preparation to leave the
Richmond Jail. Her presence as
material witness is unnecessary until
the jury is selected and the hearing
of testimony proceeds.
Paul Beattie, the prisoners cousin,
wholswere he purchased the gun with
which Louise Wexford Owen Beattie
until tomorrow.
Owen Family Absent.
Henry Clay Beattie, Sr., the defend
ants father, will probably be in almost
constant attendance at the trial. but
| few members of the Owen family are
expected. Thomas Owen, the murdered
girls uncle, will be an important wit
ness, but her father and mother, Mr.
and Mrs r. V. Owen, are in Dover,
Del, and will not attend the proceed
ings unless their testimony is consid-
cred absolutely necessary. The star
witness for the prosecution, Paul
Beattie, has said little since his in
generation. On his testimony the
commonwealth hopes to send his 26-
| year-old cousin to the electric chair
The selection of jury win not be
concluded until tomorrow.
Ask for Postponement.
The counsel for both sides took
seats at 1918. The prisoner con-
yersed with Fl. NJ. Smith, Jr., his
chief counsel. The sheriff opened
court at 1920 Two women newspaper
writer's are the only members of the
fair sex present.
When the clerk formally called the
case, Hill Carter, attorney for the
defense, asked for further delay on
the ground that the defense was not
ready to go to trial. He asked that
the case go over until Monday, Sep
tember 4. Attorney Smith, for the
defense, said he was called into the
case late and supplemented Carters
postponement plea. Smith responding
to the judges question, said the un-
preparedness was due largely to being
unable to examine the auto in which
Mrs. Beattie was shot and his inabil-
! ity to get machine Of similar model
He added that several important wit
nesses were yet to be obtained.
Plea is overruIed.
| The postponement plea was over
ruled by the court, but the judge
later remarked that the matter Of
continuance might be considered, af-
ter trial was underway.
While the indictment was read the
defendant stood steadily with his
eyes lowered to the floor. AS the
clerk droned out the horrible details
OF the crime as recited by the indlct-
ment the boys eyes almost closed
Then, prompted by one Of his lawyers,
ne said in clear voice, mot guilty"
Beattie chews G I'M.
The prisoners debonair appearance
excited comment When he reached
the courthouse he was chewing gum
and smiling. Beattie's aged father
had arrived early with another son
Douglas. In court father ard son sat