The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-05
MRS. HALL WILL
TESTIFY IN own
BEHALF TO-DAY
Defense Produce Very Little
Evidence of Amy Importance
at Yeateday Session

Especial to The Richmond Virginian-)
Louisa, Va, Aug. 4.--Defense wit
nesses proved nothing today for Mrs
Victor Hall, who is on trial in the Cir
cult court here, charged with shooting
her husband to death on the morning
OF April 8. 1t was the second day Of
the testimony for the accused and not
d point was scored further than an
accumulation OF evidence as to the
previous good character of the ac-
cnsed.
Mrs y. w. Hall, mother of the slain
man, was on the stand for more han
an hour and during her testimony de-
scribing the death Of her son as told
by the widow, the accused bowed her
head silently upon the table in front
of her and afterwards was seen to take
handkerchief and wipe her eyes
It was the first and only manifesto
ton OF feeling that Mrs. Hall has made
during the trial,
The mother OF the dead man sobhed
and wept bitterly as she told of the
dying struggles of her boy, from whose
mouth the blood gushed with every
attempt to speak, She said she felt
sure her son was conscious, though he
could not speak.
There were a number of character
witnesses placed on the stand, every
one of whom testified as to the pre-
ysous good reputation of the accused
woman, emphasis being laid ON the
fact that the woman was consistent
Christian and great church worker.
About half the day was spent in TAX
ing testimony from alleged experts on
firearms These witnesses all testified
that they had made tests of the con
tiltion OF a pistol barrel nine hours
after 1t was shot, they all agreeing
that the barrel was wet and that the
oder Of powder was plainly percep-
tihie Most of the witnesses acknoWl-
edged that the tests We're made at the
request of r. Lindsay Gordon, chief
counsel for Mrs. Hall. The object
Of this testimony viii ne to show that
Victor Hall could not have been shot
with his own revolver. which was
found in the room Of the dead man
with one chamber empty. because the
barrel of this pistol was dry ana there
was no odor OF powder.
On cross-exa rnipation Mrs. Charles
Hester denied that Mrs. Hall told her
the day Victor Han was murdered
that the reason she asked the people
IL eat dinner that day was because
sire. was afraid that If she dla not DO
sa they would talk about her.
"A damaging piece ot evidence
brought on; during the cross exanin-
afion Of Maggie Jackson. colored
W n1an. was the fact that when the
rall family left the hense Of Mrs.
Victor Hail 70 ga t. the home Of MEX
f4all thst Mrs Victor Hall VAS carry
ius in her arms several books such
~ ara used In keeping accounts IN
ta fftaeq minutes after the family
7#& the house fire. was discovered IN
60 pantry The FIRE WAS put out be
fn-e serious damage WIS done
The Comm onWealth is making the
eeatenttoa that Mrs Hall set fire to
tie house Ia order to- destroy the
lsas.+s f1l connection with the murder
g y]etpr HAIL who was found shot
81 Stealth In this house
II ir exuec ca that Mrs Hall Will 60
os ,ba *ta08 In her oTn defense TO-
f@orraw and on her testimony viii
largely depend the result of the pres
rnt trial The wofuHu's wonderful
rerVe is showing NO signs ot weaken
ire and 1t Is not believed that she
win break down when on the stand
The caSe should 60 to the Jury Friday
evening or saturday.