The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-28
PLEA OF INSANITY
HIS ONLY DEFENSE
Mat Is Relied en- to Save
Bsn Hub r1 From
/ lecJric I hair
LEE RETAINED
TO DEFEND HIM
Long Array of Unfortunate
Relatives Will Be Cited to
Prove That Slayer of Dr..
Petit Was Not Re-
sponsible for His
Deed.
Especial to The rimes.D,sns,c,

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Lynchburg, Va, September 27.-John
L. Lee. the widely known criminal at
torney of Lynchburg. who defended
Mayor McCue in Charlottesville; Judge
Loving. of Nelson county, and was OF
counsel for the dcfense in some of the
famous Hargis cases in kentucky sew
eral years ago. when asked to-day adj
mitted that he had been retained as
counsel for Ben HUBBARD. who murdered
DR. J. a. Petit a, Lovingston last
Monday afternoon.
Insanity VIII be the plea OF the de-
Tense 10 save Ben Hubard from the
electric chair at Richmond. and from
what can be learned to-day. there
VIII be long array of unfortunate
relatives In the family OF the man to
strengthen such u plea Back more
than century ago this record may
start for in those days. 1t is said, a
maternal ancestor OF Ben Hubbard muir
dered q man under conditions almost
Identical with those surrounding the
murder of DIR. Petit at Loyingston
Monday. This man was defended in
court at Charlottesville by Patrick
Henry. the noted Virginia lawyer and
statesman OF the Revolutionary era
There is little doubt but this data will
be In hand to be used in Hubard's
behalf when the case comes before the
Jury at Lovingston.
May Ask Postponcment.
With such information as this to be
compiled II Will readily be seen that
the defense cannot make ready for
trial on October 6. which date was
set Monday after an indictment had
been returned against HUBBARD.
Mr. Lee, in talking about Hubbard in
his office to-day. said he roomed with
Hubbard during two sessions at the old
Kenmore High School at Amherst
Courthouse thirty years ago. Hubbard,
ct this time. while not an unpopular
youth was by no means popular on ac-
count OF his taciturn disposition. Mr.
Lee recalled that HUBBARD was not OF a
cheerful disposition. and he did not
remember of ever having seen the
youth smile during his long associa-
tion with him. He had seen him smile.
but these occasions wsre not frequent
Hubbard seems to have been youth
who brooded over fancied grievances
until they became great mountains to
him. Mere triiies that the average
youth would forget in a few hours
would crop out in his life ak months
afterwards 10 the surprise OF his com
panions. and by this time they had
grown in Hubard's mind from mere
riothings to mammoth wrongs 1t was
just such an idea. 1t is believed, that
he got into his head eight or nine
years ago that DR.. Petit had done him
wrong. never having the slightest
foundation for such a grievance. This
was turned over In his mind from time
TO time until the man believed DR..
Petit was a great enemy, seeking to
inInre him in the eyes Of his fellows
for no other reason than to injure
him.
From this time Hubbard, the best in
FORMATION goes, declared at intervals
that he would kill DR.. Petit. and last
Monday morning he went to Lovings-
ton bent upon avenging himself from
the fancied wrongs done him.
Made Many Threats.
IT is known that the State Will be
able to produce witnesses to show
that Hubbard made a number Of threats
before going to Lovingston, and that
as soon as he found the man whom
he thought had wronged him he pro-
ceeded to put these threats into exc
cution.
OF late years Hubbard has been
known in the vicinity of his home IS
Crazy Ben" though none Of q
friends ever dreamed that he would
be guilty Of such tragedy as he en-
acted last Monday. Rather he was
looked upon by many as harmless
sort of a fellow when not interrered
with
oSHci tidH Iluo6Tu ldnCleQ wrongs
at the hand of DIR. Petit and the aw-
full manner in which he murdered the
physician, there can be no sensational
phases 10 the tragedy. At the trial
the defense. no doubt, will admit that
Hubard's belief that he had been
wronged by the murdered man was
groundless. and this in all probability,
Will be strong card for the defense
in strengthening It's insanity plea.
Lewis Brown, of the firm of Brown
& Brown, of Lovingston. who has also
been retained for the defense in the
case. was in town last evening, and,
after a conference with Mr.. Lee, the
local attorney consented to under
take leading the defense. It was
not known. however. until to-day that
Mr.. Lee would be identified with the
defense, though 1t was generally ex-
pected that such would. be the case.
In talking about Hubbard to-day. Mr..
Lee expressed the greatest sympathy
for his old school and roommate. and
from the way he has started on the
case no room is left for doubt as to
This earnest purpose to save the man
sfrom the electric chair, even through
he go to the insane hospital for the
remainder Of his life.
Funeral of DR.. Petit.