The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-30
LIFE IMPRISONMENT
GIVEN GEORGE WADE
0enrico Man Found Guilty of Muir,
dr. of James NJ. Gordon.
Yesterday.
DkTENsE PLEADS INSANITY.
vvAde Killed Stepfathcr On Morning
- September 9, last, While Vic
I'm Was Sitting On Back Porch of
Home.

George Wade. charged with the muir
der OF his step father. James NJ Cor
a don. OF Henrico. was yesterday sem
tenced to life Imprisonment by the
jury in the Henrico County Court. The
5nry was out only short time after
the hearing OF witnesses was concluded
4 o. wendenburg. attorney for Wade.
stated after the trial that there would
- no appeal
The defense pleaded insanity in an
attempt to save the man from the cleo
trio chair. They showed that he had
been subject to insane attacks since
he was boy. and declared that he
mould be sent to an asylum. Com
monwealth's Attorney Beverly asked
that the man be sent 10 the electric
: chair. stating that the murder had been
deliberate and pFemeditated
Wade killed his step-father on the
morning OF September 6, 1916, while
Gordon was sitting on the hack porch
OF the house. For some time there had
been mad blood between them. Cor
don having given up his residence with
his wife. II was stated by witnesses
that wade's mother married Gordon
the step-father and step-so had not
been able to get along well.
shot Fired Through window.
On the morning of the murder Wade
came into his mothers room. and pro
cured q revolver He appeared to be
In one of his dangerous moods, so
she, fearing he might harm someone,
ned from the house Some time later
Gordon went to the house. not know
Ing OF the condition of WaGe's mind.
and seated himself on the rear porch.
Wade saw him. and fred through the
window. the bullet entering Gordons
head. and killing him instantly.
Sheriff Sydnor. OF Henrico. was the
hrst witness yesterday, and he told Of
finding the dead man on the porch
and how Wade was caught sometime
later in the Richmond. Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad yards AT Acca.
Sydnor stated that Wade had declared
to him that he had intended to Kill
Gordon at the first opportunity. be-
cause he had squandered some OF his
mothers money. The sheriff further
stated that he did not consider wade
OF the right mind. and that he did not
believe he should be sent to the cleo
trio chair Chief of Police Seay gave
testimony along the same line.
Subject to Insane Attacks.
Mrs. Gordon. mother of the accused
took the stand and declared that wade
had been subject to insane attacks
having buried chickens alive because
they would not lay. Al one time he
struck his step-father on the head
with an axe. for which he served sew
eral months in jail. He had also
served three years in the penitentiary
for attempting TO take the life of DR..
Buchanan, of the Associated Charities.
This occurred while ne WAS staying
al the charities building Mrs. Wade
testified that Wade had frequently
made attacks on her. and that he would
become wrought UP into frenzies.
Other witnessed showed by their tes-
timony that Wade was of unbalanced
mind, and mentally subnormal. The
accused sat through the trial taking
little interest in she proce edings, He
appeals to be able thirty years of age
The case went TO the Jury about 40
o'clock. and less than half an hou
they returned verdict. committing
Wade to life Imprisonment. lie vii.
be sent 10 the State penitcntiary, but
II was stated that on account of his
unsound mind. IL is believed he woule
shortly be transferred TO the Marion
Home for the Insane,