The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-08
cordon's Speech Replete With
Everything But Sound Argu-
ment for the Defense
Flags Detectives
and Attacks Press
Speeches Which Began Yes
terday in Green Spring Case
Will Be Concluded This
Morning

Special to The Richmond virgin!an.)
Louisa Va, Aug. 7.-Making the d.
rect charge that there was more EVIL
aence In the celebrated Hall murder
Ease to incr.minate w. r, Dunkum
than there was to incriminate Mrs.
Victor Hall. Attorney r.. Lindsay Cor
lon created a sensation in the argu
ment today at the trial of Mrs Vic
tor Hall on the charge of killing her
husband on April Is.
Mr.. Gordon spoke for over four hours
and had not concluded when. at
o'clock. court adjourned until o'clock
tomorrow morning. Mr.. GordonS
speech was made up almost entirely
Of violent invective and a bitter attack
On the press. the detectives. the Com
monwealths attorney and the wit
nesses This was concluded with
long declaration. In which he charged
that there was more evidence TO con-
meet w r. nunkum with the crime
than there was to lay IL ~ the door
,f the widow OF the victim.
Abuses Detectives.
Mr.. Gordon was particularly abusive
of the detectives, whom he character
lxed as human bloodhounds. worse than
the brute. because the latter followed "A
trail from instinct. while the detec-
tivee followed II only for money lie
spoke of Mackay, the Pinkerton detec-
tive as little red headed, pop~eyed
Individual, and Mr Scott, employed
ny the State bureau ~ insurance, AZ
being man that Virginia should Do
ashamed of He questioned the We
racity of many OF the Commonwealth. 81
wstness.a and said that the evidence
Of Charles Johnson was framed IN and
nxed by the detectives and the Com
nicnweaith's attorney In the fall Of
Johnson. he declared that the entire
evidence of the prosecution had been
pulled down. charging that II one wit
meas was fixed up II would be easy tn
nx the bush ranging witnesses around
Green Spring.
LATHE sound Argument.
While MIR. Gordon.s address contain
ed a tender, pathetic appeal In behalf OF
.hs accused widow, there was little
in the tcur-hours' talk In the WAY Of
argument for his client In speaking
about w r Duukum. whose store was
burned the aame night that Victor Hail
was murdered Mr.. Gordon ted the
story OF the Ara and the murder In an
attempt &c show. tina. there Was more
-sa.t.~ for NJ DunkuuI 10 have com
mite; ii. crime than there was fer
Mrs Hail He said that the evidence
sss,s &c nat there was = 600 insurance
~ Iounkurl's store and contents and
there was nothing 20 show that Mr..
Tuaku1n had amy money: that he was
conducting a rival store 20 Victor
Hall and that tho latter was getting
the cream Of .he business lie said
TITS vzeAe more Of a motive 10 asso-
ciate MIR. Dunkum with the crime
than Rad get been proe&lcea 70 connect
Mrs Hall with the tragedy.
Those who heard the address ARE
divided IN thar opinion as 10 the pos
the opinion that the circumstances
connecting Dunkum With the affair
are 80 strong that it will create doubt
I'm the minds Of the Jurors who are
asked to convict Mrs. Hall purely on
evidence and without
out showing am motive. On the
other hand. there are many who think
that the hroadside attack by Mr.,
Gordon on everything and everybody
will seriously impair his case by dis
gushing the jury
Btbb Speaks FOR State
In the morning session. Common
wealth's Attorney Bib made Il strong
presentation OF the evidence for the
prosecution. connecting In detail
every feature Of the testimony in
perfectly plain and Intelligent man
mar.
Mr.. Bib WAS followed by Mr.. Hill
Carter, the Richmond attorney. who
assisted In the defense Of Henry
Beattie, convicted a few years ago
Of killing his wife In Chesterfield
county. Mr.. Carter spoke for one and
q half hours and made a strong argu-
ment for tho defense.
In his argument, Mr., Bibb spoke Of
the burglar theory in connection with
tho Hall murder mystery as being the
same myth that killed Mrs. McCue
ana murdered Mrs. Henry Beattie.
The largest crowd ever assembled in
Louisa was present at the trial today
and the courthouse was packed dur
ing the entire time Mrs. Hall was,
as usual. perfectly composed and
there was nc outward evidence OF
feeling or nervousness by this remark
able woman.
Mr.. Gordon will conclude his argu-