The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-24
BEATTIE PLEADS
NOT GUILTY
Jurors Drawn For Trial. Prisoner
is Cool. His Father With Him.
COURT ADIOURNS OVER. ETC, ETC.

Quick action marked the opening
Monday of the trial Of Henry Clay
Beattie, Jr., at Chesterfield c. H., or
the charge of numbering his wife.
Twelve Jurors were selected before
court adjourned. but four of these will
be challenged by the defense and four
others will be chosen from a special
venire of 30 men summoned to appear
in court Wednesday, to which day the
court adjourned.
Beattie, when arraigned, pleaded
mot guilty"
The Jurors, all but two of them, are
farmers from the county. The two ex-
ceptions are a quarryman and con-
tractor.
Beattie pleaded not guilty in clear,
even voice. All motions Of the defense
for postponement were denied, and mo-
tions to quash the indictment overruled.
The afternoon session moved more
slowly. A second venire Of 20 men was
exhausted after tedious questioning,
but five more jurors, subject to the four
peremptory challenges of the defense,
were added TO the seven. Judge Wal
ter A. Watson then adjourned court,
giving the sheriff until noon Wednes-
day TO assemble the additional venire.
There were perhaps 1000 persons
around the old courthouse during the
day.
Beulah Binford did not appear She
is held in jail at Richmond as witness.
Paul Beattie, the prisoners cousin and
one of the COmmonwealth's chief wit
nesses, also was left in his cell at Rich
mond.
Mrs. Claudia Powell. sister Of the
Binford girl, appeared in the afternoon.
She said she had come because she was
interested.
Henry Clay Beattie, ST., sat beside
his son all day and followed the pro-
ceedlngs closely. Few words passed
between him and the prisoner, who
showed little or no nervousness when
the indictment was read.
At times young Beattie whispered
suggestions to his lawyers. HIM. Smith,
Jr., and Hill Carter.
Sheriff Gill took Beattie back to the
Richmond jail at night.
Soon after 10 O'Clock II. c. Beattie,
Jr., barcheaded, chewing gum and smil-
ing, escorted by Detective Scherer,
Sheriff Gill and two Richmond officers,
arrived at Chesterfield in an automo-
bile. Young Beattie was dressed IN
gray striped suit. neat blue tie and
low-cut tan shoes.
There was a slight prison pallor on
his face. but he appeared the we'll
clean-cut boy of good family.
III. IL .r.t..,f aaafAI On n home d
facing the court. Beside him sat his
father and Detective Scherer. Beattle,
Jr., glanced around the courtroom in
evident amusement over being the cen
tire of interest.
"When | get out I'll guarantee you
that I'll square up those who have told
lies about me, exclaimed the accused
husband to a friend with the confident
air Of a man who expects to be acquit-
ted.
The tiny room was jammed as the
proceedings began, and TO discourage
the curious and idle the court ordered
that all disinterested spectators stand up
and remain standing.
The court denied a motion for post
ponement until Monday. Aug. D.
Dtdlllc WIS dIIdikich 1t "a v Ni'~N. ]
He stood steadily. but with closed eyes
az the indictment was read.
Chesterfield Court House witnessed a
scere new in its history Of 1852 years.
Messenger boys scurried about and
wires ran from the main line
to little country store near by for
carrying of word pictures of the scene.
While there were no expressions OF
sentiment in favor Of the dapper young
man who is accused. sympathetic words
were spoken about the gray-haired
father of the defendant.
The opinion that a big surprise is TO
be sprung by either side before the trial
has progressed far is general. Great
interest hangs on the testimony Of Beu- /
lab Binford and Paul Beattie, a cousin I
Of the accused, who is to testify for the
State that he purchased the shotgun /
with which Mrs. Beattie was slain.