The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-20

II was maintained by the defense
that some of the letters we're written
long months ago, and had no bearing
on the poisoning, and that others were
simply written in an idle moment. when
the writer might perhaps have been
submerged in the effects OF drugs.
which it vas intimated he was in the
hal bit Of occasionally INDUCING In.
In his testimony Saturday Detective
Wiley said he had confronted Dr, John
son suddenly with the statement that
he and Detective Smith had reached
the conclusion that he had given his
v Re the drug on the night she had left
him at Byrd Street station, upon the
occasion Of his farewell at the con-
clusion OF his last trip to Richmond
prior to the death Of his wife.
"<ot New. Hut Soon"
NO. she didn't take 1t that night.
pr Johnson Is said to have replied.
The wife was sick, It was shown for
several DAYS after that night and the
evidence given by Detective Wiley was
intended To shoH that the wife took
certain medicine prescribed for or
given to her hv her husband then. and
that It did not have the desired ehsct,
The next dose. five DAYS later, II was
pointed out, did have its efee'
The letters which caused such
strenuous commotion on the part OF
counsel for the defense we're in the
handwritin9 of Or Johnson and were
addressed to various persons. Including
Miss Ollie waite. Of Zebulon. y. G.. a
former sweetheart In letters to her
the writer used endearing terms, and
stated that he had loved no one else
hut her and hoped to see her again in
some happier land other notes were
addressed to friends written in de-
spatr. and carrying a vail along with
them
As the case progresses, the Rrqsecu-
tion viii endeavor 10 inject these let
ters. which. If they reach the jury.
viii have a tendency to prejudice
Johnson's chances "a they are con-
coded to be strongly reprehensihle
Counsel for the defense. therefore
realizing the danger OF such evidence,
" III use every endeavor in heading
them off
he INDUCED In today, and II is be-
Heved that Sergeant Wiley viii occupy
the stand the greater part of the day,
II not the entire day.
The story OF the case SO far shows
That Mrs. johnson died on the night
Of December Is. less than an hour
after taking a capsule prescribed by
someone and which she had been d.
ected 10 rEEe MCKNIGHT.
That the autopsy revealed the fact
that death vas due TO cyanide of potas-
SUM poisoning
That while pr. Johnsons attitude for
several days was that of man seri-
ously endeavorins to locate the Grim
inal who administered the poison, he
was also committing reprehensible
acts by writing love letters to another
woman, and that hnally his conscience
prlcked him to desperation and he at
tempted to shuttle off this mortal coil
through the suicides route
Tendency of Wiley. Testimony.
II is inferred that further recital OF
the story of the crime by Sergeant
Wiley will ATTEMPT to show that the
death of Mrs. Johnson was the result,
preparation on the part of the Grim
NAL, whomever that may turn out to
be.
The defense has In no way indicated
it's line, The remark made BY Law
-lef eul lsul ErpInleS pIspooM IsS
tiers found in the dentists desk may
have been written while the subject
was under the influence Of drugs. was
the first hint that such a defense may
be projected II is not believed this
will be resorted to, however. unless as
a forlorn hone. and 1t IL conceded that
so far the defense has had no special
reason to be downhearted nor fever
ishly searching for a straw on the
ocean OF despair
Sergeant SatterneId Is entertaining
the gentlemen OF the jury best he
can under the circumstances, They
are quartered at Dickerson's hotel on
Broad treet.-aHd are getting just as.
good meals, 1t lis said as any other citi-
zen in these war times. They viii be
in the hands and under the eyes of
deputy sergeants constantly. so that
no one NAV be permitted to discuss
the case with them.