New-York tribune., 1917-12-13
Means Uneasy as
Counsel Sums Up
The Case to Jury
Watches Veniremen Closely
When Prosecutor Scores
in Closing Speech
[StGf Correspondence

CONCORD, y. C., Dec. 12.-The trial
Of CASTOR r. Means on the charge Of
numbering Mrs. Maude A. King swung
into its last stage to-day when the
prosecution closed its case and rival
counsel began speeches TO the jury.
The first, that Of Prosecutor Hayden
Clement, was Of unusual brevity, last
ing one hour and FIVE minutes. The
second, that Of Frank I. Osborne, chief
counsel for the defence. consumed
more than four hours. II. 5. Williams.
another Of the Means battery, rounded
out the day with a three-hour address.
With his defence complete and his
life in the hands Of the jury, Means
TODAY lost the jaunty confidence that
has marked him throughout the trial.
lie sat, regarding seriously the twelve
men on whom his fate depends, as Mr..
Osborne pleaded his case. When the
lawyer portrayed the misery which
would be visited upon Means's family
BY a conviction, Mrs. Julie Means, the
accused mans wife. wept aloud. Hers
were the first tears from any OF the de-
fcndant's relatives or friends.
Outlines Tragedy
Solicitor Clement outlined the states
case and rccounted the events which
led up TO the tragedy at Blackwelder
Spring from the time Means met'the
wealthy widow in December, 1914. In
the nine years preceding that meeting,
he said. Mrs. King he'd spent Sl25,OOO.
In the twelve months Immediately
following II she had, under the firan-
cial stewardship Of Castor Means, dis
posed OF SlS5,OO0. OF this amount, the
state has shown, he continued, vast
sums had been put to the personal
bank accounts OF Means and his wlte,
and still larger sums dissipated at the
defendants order in speculative trans
actions. At length, he declared, had
come the day of reckoning, and Mesns,
fearing exnosure. had resorted 10 muir
der 10 evadc il. The prosecution asked
for O verdict Of first degree murder
"Mr. Osborne's greatest efforts were
turned TO impressinR upon the jury
what the defence regards as a certal \
existence Of a reasonable doubt OF
1Icans's guilt. The absence OF premedi-
t2tiop as shown by Means's invitaton
70 all and sundry TO accompany him
and Mrs. King on the target shooting
party was cited as proof that the &C.
cused man had 10 design upon the
wornan's life. The fact that she was
shot with the "uureliable' automatic
pistol. instead of the accurate ana
nowerful revolver" which Means had IN
his possession on the fatal night. was
declared 70 be demonstratlve OF the
accused mans innocence. .,
"Would he have shot her with pis-
fol which. according 10 the evidence
was working badly and Jammed con-
tinually." asked the lawyer. -.
"Knowine that the success oil M,
,,prderous plot depended upon one wen
niorcd shot. would any criminal cnoose
Pp"cb - Gun when he had a larger dead
iier and entirely reliable reVoiVer III
h'i ~ pS:"SSy Williams dilated upon Means :
honcstv ana Of purpose in his capacity. r as as
,.D''o,c;.i adviser Of Mrs. hlng. me
ctato of New York, he SAID, had dellOI
.@toly attached records which Wouio
L.,,o sbovyr that Means increased tht
Ieod rroroan's estate instead OF depIe-
c;at;rc II. His entire address was IN,
.ande6 10 arouse the jury's resentme en-
e,,airSt "outside interference IN th'
'"Is' ~ e McDuTic, Of the prosecution
IN onsn tho discussion tomorrow
II" u;iI be followed by two attorneys
-.rv"sc,tirr Means. Other Of th'
-,dto,s attorneys will thereafter after
80 ,yitb members OF the defence bat
-. in addressing the jury. Inc
t,n,aLin. is expected 10 continue
ss.r.tiI Fr;dav afternoon, and verdict
;s Generally looked for by Saturday.