The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-01-18
Jury Recommends Inn
prison1nent for Four
Years in Penitentiary.
MOTION TO SET
ASIDE VERDICT
Judge Fixes February Ia
a. Date on Which Mo
ton Of Defendants
Counsel Will Be Argued

Joseph S. Williams. on trial in the
hastings court since Tuesday charged
with the murder of his wife, was
found guilty yesterday afternoon OF
man slaughter and his punishment
fixed by the jury at four years in the
state penitentiary. The jury was OUT
for about one hour and IKE minutes.
Counsel agreed to submit the case
without argument.
Louis @. Wendenberg, counsel for
the defense, Immediately made mo-
ton that the verdict be set aside as
contrary to the law and the evidence,
alleging nfisdireciion as to law. fail
ure by the Judge TO give certain i'm
structions and error in the draw ing
and paneIing Of the Jury. After a
brief argument between counsel OF
the opposing sides rs to when the
motion should be argued, February
IA. finally was agreed upon as the
date. Harry NJ. smith. Jr.. who as
sisted Commemorative Attorney
George r. Wise In the prosecuting,
favored proceeding Immediately with
the argument on the motion, so far
as it concerns the evidence, but as
scented without discussion to defer it
after he had been assured that he
would receive a copy OF the written
testimony.
| The prisoner fcceiving calmly the
verdict OF the Jury ana seemed to ex-
porfence little OF the nervous anxieiy
Of the relatives who were grouped
AhnMt during long sixty Ave
NtN1tcs wheM ~ tslry vas In the
Ju6e1's ONCE 6SSI1ia his fate His
onr-yeAr-old s6d was III court when
| tn clerk read tiac result Of this de-
~ M tipsg fAshcr lca,
bali to rs 500 sfstcM ne nefievad this
sum wsuId meet every rcqu4rcme nj
! and the prisoners uncle, who was
present could furHish a, the time a
bond no larger. This was objected
|, to by Commemorative Attorney Wise
and the objection was Sustained by
Judge Richardson. Williams ac-
cnrdingiy went to jail last night but
Mr.. Wendenberg announced that he
try to arrange for tho hail in the
amount OF $4,000 on Monday
CONFLICTING TESTIMONY
DR.. s. W. Budd, pathofogist of the
Medical College OF Virginia. was first
witness when the trial was resumed
yesterday morning al III o'clock He
assisted in the autopsy ei Mrs. Viii
At~sitSsf NAA atautHsS dSi stIteEN AHU Stule
blood sent TO his laboratory by Or.
Whitfield. the corner He testified
that the blood and tissue were
healthy. so far al he could ascertain,
a finding contrary to The contention
OF the defense. DIR. Coleman, tcsti-
Tying upon conditions laid down in a
hypothetical question propounded by
Mr. Wendenbcrg. had on the previous
cvening declared. upon the presunp-
ticn that the case had been stated to
him correctly, that Mrs, williams
must have died of disease.
Beth Mr. and Mrs. Bebout. father
and mother of the dead woman. were
recalled yesterday TO give rebuttal
evidence. They denied any knowl-
edge Of criminal operation alleged
~ the mother of the accused to have
been performed upon his wife, with
out the husbands consent.
fhe triaf which began last Tues
day. has attracted each day a crowd
that has packed the court room.
Judge Richardson commended the
spectators yesterday, just before the
verdict Was brought in, upon the re-
variable order that had been MAIN
tanned throughout the hearing.