The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-09
SMITH PLEADS FOR
ACOUITTAL VERDICT
Chief Counsel for Defense Make Brilliant Argu-
ment for His Client and Denounces Methods
Used to Brand Him With Crime

the Commonwealth. and throwing into
the shade the more prominent feat.
ures. Attorney IL. NJ. Smith. Jr, yes.
terday morning made an eloquent and
well-developed plea Tor the lite OF his
client, Henry Clay Beattie, Jr Ut tn.
hands of a jury in the Chesterfield
Circuit Court 1t was marve!ou.
presentation OF poor case Ably h.
used what points the defense had beer
able to pick up from DAY to day in
an argument. not oil tic Iur0ct..------
his client-that was never once claim.
oG--but that reasonable doubt had
been raised 10 his guilt under the
evidence. which doubt. under the
courts Instructions. would suffice TO
secure an acquittal.
Much time was devoted by Mr.. Smith
In denunciation OF the methods Of paid
detectives in securing evidence. In In
terviewing ana coaching witnesses and
in presenting evidence only as Il iii
their case.
Might Have shown Much.
But at the height of his denuncia-
tion OF their methods Mr.. Smith adj
mitted thai had he had at his disposal
II CORPS OF men rs we'll trained and as
rignant. he could have bTouGh; be-
fore the jury vastly more that would
becloud the issue and serve further
doubt The poor weakling Paul Beat
tie was held UP to deris.on. and
,ury cared to scnd any nan to
the chair on his word alone The mo
tive for tho crime. a mere girl. foi
whom no man could have more than
passing regard, was ridiculed, and thu
weak points in the states armor Were
found one after another.
1t was his especial grievance that
the boys from the Bon Air dance
manly, clean minded boys, as he was
glad TO adnit-had been coached and
trained into giving evidence which all
but convicted had it not been for the
accidental finding of Kastelbers. the
unwilling witness, whom the attorney
for the defense himself admitted lied
on the stand Mir Smith said frankly
that he did not believe and did not ask
the jury TO believe that Kastelberg did
not know his woman companion He
boldly charged that the lie was told
because Kastelberg feared the husband
and the brother Of that woman.
Paul Beattie he especially excori
ated. Efforts We're made to show his
venom and animus against his more
successful relatives and to show that
no man Of the evident intelligence and
acumen of Henry Beattie could have
been such an idiot as to use So weak
an instrument TO work his ends.
Earnestly asserting his belief in the
unreasona oleness, the unbelievable
qualities of the case the Commonwealth
presented, Mr.. Smith yet paused long
enough to be shocked 10 his soul by
the monster which the charge painted
Asserting that 1t staggered human be-
lief that man such as his client could
have done such a deed. he asserted
boldly that hell held no .and more
brutal than one who would slay the
wife OF his bosom and the mother Of
his child with so cold blootied and de.
hberate precision. after nights Of plan
ming and days of preparation
Mr.. Smiths Address.
When court opened at $50 A. NJ Fl
NJ smith Jr.. of counsel for the de-
Tense began at once his closing argu-
ment, which occupied about four
hours. When he concluded at 1913
court took recess for dinner.
congratulate you, gentlemen Of
the jury he began, THAT your ardu
Gus laoors are nearly over. thank vol
Tor the Ianifest patience with which
you have" conducted yourselves-fo,
the fair and d!i!gent attention tha,
YOU have given 10 the evidence. What
ever the verdict. it Will be a fair and
conscientious verdict No one in thi.
county doubts that.
i congratulate Mr., Garter and my.
feT that the arduous duties. which
cave FOR so many Weary DAYS rested
on our shoulders, are now about TO he
transferred 10 yours His masterlv
argument has made il unnecessary for
NE 10 deta!n YOU. don't think in
ell my life / ever before heard him
speak more than a hour and a half
imagine my embarrassment when
rome before You in ease to which Nh.
carter has already devoted thre,
, hours He was honestly and consoisr-
tons!E endeavorlng to throw light on
TINS case; not appealing 10 passion on
prejudice. but 10 Intellect and con.
science he pointed out to YOU the
pstn and duty and the path of reason,
NO Appeal TO Passion.
sha!! no. appea! to improper pas.
sion or prejudice This is a case hnod
with meat--with food for reuec,ion
we Know that upright Intelligent
8. conscientious men may well diUer d,
10 certain features Of the evidence w.
=, 90 ho' anticipate or fear at your hand,
- conviction What we fear j. bune
i;enTy Those OF you who NAV bositnt-
kinay Yet Tee! that you came, civ,
Her'ur assent TO verdict OF not .,iltv
sha!l be my EFFORT to convince yn,,
'hat we are entitled under rhe IN
uftruetions ana your oatns to sucb =
yo.Tdiet IT is not Tor us to point ON,
@ nd suii'y man on 80 yindicate the IN.
'ence Of this Young man lay,ne
40 hand on Henry Beatt.es shoulder
rka II you. after reviewing an the evi.
leaAce are not convinced beyond per
.o,ec venture Of the guilt Of the acc,,soa
verdict under the instruction.
Ne be not guilty. HOW must yo,
I nave ieit when YOU heard the ev.denc,
OF the defense II shows tho DANCE,
), many 1urymen fan into OF making M
their minds about the case w,tbo,,,
fea ring all the evidence Two can
ldoads OF boys we're corring in 49,
Bon Air Da!ryman sydnor loid o..
eneetins 5oune man In an a!tomo.
ale with Yellow top lie describe.
y@e actions o: that young man me
.cuse6ry the State attempted to presen,
Iars -,Anded you oil j chicken vim