Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-14
MURDERER ON TRIAL.
Slayer of DR.. Petit will Plead In.
sanity in Extenuation of
His Crime.

Lynchburg, Nov. 14.-The case
against benjamin Hubbard, in Jail
here under indictment in Nelson county
for the murder OF DR.. James c. Petit,
10 lovingston on September %, was
called this morning in Nelson Circuit
Court at Lovingston. Judge Gordon
presided. John l.. Lee and L. H.
Brown, are counsel for the defense, and
George f. Caskie assisted Common
wea!th's Attorney Whitehead with the
prosecution.
Counsel Cor defense presented to
Judge Gordon certificates OF three
superintendents of VIrgigia insane asy-
Iums, stating that they considered
Hubbard insane. After hearing coun-
sci of both sides the court decided that
under an act OF 1910 the court wilI
select three expert allenists to make al
examination of the prisoner and report
to the court. As Suou as the three
alleulsts selected by the court MAKE
their report, the court will Fix Il cay fo'
hearlug-prouably about Norenoei
d. Hubbard will remain III ~ nch'
burg for tho present.
The murder Of Dr.. Petit occurred
on the afternoon of September 20,
last in front OF The Virginia iiot@i. ia
full view Of hundreds of country folk
who had congregated here, II being
court day Dr.. Pcttit'was setting al
account with a client. when Hubbard
apDrOachcd from behind and shot
MIN in the head. Hubbard thel
walked up 10 his victim and FREQ
five more shots from an automati,
gun. Five of the six shots took effect
in the head Any one OF them would
nave produced death.
The six shots were fred so quickly
that no one in the crowd could have
stopped Hubbard. but when he hao
finished shooting q farmer came UP
and pinned his arms behind him anu
took the weapon from him. Then E
crowd surged around him and the
excitement became intense. For 6
time there appeared to lie danger OF
mob violence, and Hubbard WAS rush
ed to the Jail. Later he was taken &c
Lynchburg for safe keeping.
Hubbard has declined 10 make an!
statement concerning The tragedy be-
yond admitting the killing and de.
ciarng that he was justified. As tt
the motive for the shooting. about
all thai has been definitely learned
is that DR.. Petit was called in last
spring to attend Hubbard's wife who
was in delicate condition. Hubbard
had arranged for Il negress to attend
his wife and did not want a physician.
tlubbard's father had learned OF the
woman's precarious condition and
sent for DR.. Petit, who did not want
to attend the patient because Of hel
husbands objection, but was finally
persuaded to do SO and il developed
later that the woman would probably
have died but for his attention. After
the occurrence DR.. Petit stated to
friends that Hubbard had threatened
his life. but that he did not fear him.
Dr.. Petit was 45 years old, and
had been practicing here for years.
His practice was large and he was
very popular. Ii was for this reason
that Hubbard was hurried ont Of the
county after the tragedy.
In the coming trial Common
wealth's Attorney Whitehead will be
i'll charge OF the prosecution. John
l.. Lee, one OF the foremost criminal
lawyers Of Virginia. will be the lead
ing counsel for the defense