Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-12
FIRES PISTOL IN COURT
TO PROVE HIS ASSERTION
Revolver That Killed Mrs. King
Demonstrated to Show No
Hand Smudgo Is Left.
MRS. MEANS GIVES TESTIMONY
Dous Murdered Woma ans Hair
Transformation" and Handles
Weapon to Support Suicide The
Gry-NIakes Good Impression.

IBy Associated Prcssl
CONCORD. n. c., December lin
cDcn court late to-day the pistol with
which Mrs. Maude a. King was killed.
according to tho evidence in the trial
Of CASTOR Il. Means. held by the State
TO be responsible for her death, was
fred In tho presence Of the jury, Judge
Cline and n crowd of spectators that
filled the courtroom. in demonstra-
ton TO show that no sinudge would be
left on the hand that held the weapon
as result OF flame and smoke cscap-
ing from the side of the cartridge
chamber
Not a particle Of colorine was left on
the hand Of Captain w. a. Jones.
r!stol expert OF New York. who fired
tor and other witnesses. The weapon
used was u 21-caliber automatic.
The test; was made toward the close
OF AN afternoon session Of court, which
was largely consumed in taking the
testimony of the New York officer. who
testified for the State in rebuttal, the
defense having rested It's case with per-
mission to Introduce two other wit
ncsses who were not present at the
morning session. but appeared late in
the AFTERNOON. The State had already
Put up three witnesses in rebuttal and
Captain Jones had just left the stand
when court adjourned at G:30 O'Clock.
Tho state has scvcral more witnesses
TO be heard but Solicitor Hayden Gle
inent stated tonight that he expected
the argument OF counsel TO be we'll
under way by the noon recess to-mor-
row. There appears littlc ground for
doubt that the case VIII go to the
Jury Thursday.
WIFE OF DEFENDANT
MAKES GOOD IMPRESSION
Ono OF the last witnesses introduced
by the defense was Mrs. Julie i. Means,
wife of the defendant who made n dis
ease and composurc which she cx-
h.bited on the stand. though her
counteance bore evidences Of her real
ization OF the gravity OF the occasion.
in striking contrast 10 tho deIneanor
Of her husband when he was on the
stand.
She is low and stout OF stature. but
slightly under the size OF Mrs. King.
according to her testimony. yet with
apparent perfect case. she held a %
caliber automatic pistol in reverse
position in her left hand. extended at
arms length. and demonstrated TO the
jury how she could fire ~ an angle to
cause wound 10 take the range
through the head from the back part
similar to that Of the wound Tint
caused Mrs. Kings death.
The pistol was pointed in the direc-
ton to cause the bullet to strike ap-
proximatcly in tho same position as
the wound in Mrs. Kings head Her
testimony was clcar-cut and straight
forward. and she was never ruffled nor
displayed the slightest emotion. She
took oft her her hat and placed on her
head the hair Characterization" worn
by Mrs. King, covering her own hair.
Her testimony was corroborat.ve O..
that OF the defendant throughout
Tho result OF the test made in the
court room By Captain Jones was con-
sidcrcd strong point In the States
favor. II was not made without Wig
orou5 objection and argument By coun-
sci FOR the defense, whose exception 10
the demonstration was recorded. On
cross examinat ton T. T. Cansler. Of
counsel for tho defense. made vigorous
and exhaustive effort 10 break down
the testimony OF the witness. forcing
him TO admit that hc had sat with the
states counsel during the trial and
suggested to them questions TO be ask
cd the defendant and his witnesses
JONES TESTS PISTOLS
ON CALF AND HUMAN SKIN
Captain Jones had qualified a an OK
pert on autopsies and the use OF fire.
arms, especially pistols. and testified
that in his opinion II would have been
impossible for Mrs. King to have self
inflicted the fatal wound. He had also
described tests made in shooting a
"6-caliber automatic pistol at card
board, human skin and calf's head
and testified that the results showed
that pistol fired at a distance Of six
inches or less would SINCE tho hair
and at sixteen inches or less would
leave powder marks on tho paper or
skin. lie demonstrated and explained
to the jury tho mechanism and opera
tion or the type and make OF pistol
with which Itrs. King was killed, and
declared that such weapon could not
be fired, except by pressure upon the
trigger and safety spring at the same