Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-11-06
AT1Of|!EE:Y NEWSOME
WINS MURDER CASE:
Newport News Barrister Was First
Negro Lawyer to Plead A Murder
Case in County. Vast Crowd Spell
Bound During His Address
CA. 8. West.) =,

Accomac, Va, Oct. 2l.-Dear Editor:
The colored people OF this county were
aroused this week as never before
in the history Of the Oldest inhabi-
tants. The occasion was the appear
nnce OF Lawyer j. Thomas Newsome
in a murder trial, ,s@hichN attracted to
the courthouse an immense crowd of
holh cGlored and white people. On
every train passing the Courthouse
during the day large numbers came
to hear the trial. No colored lawyer
had ever appeared i'll old Accomac i'll
a capital case. The entire Accomac
bar, including Senator Mapp was out
to hear Mr.. Newsome.
Right here we pause to say that no
lawyer OF any race from any part OF
the country could have been shown
greater courtesy than was extended
to Mr.. Newsome. This writer heard
tho leading lawyer Of the Accomac
bar tell Mr.. Newsome that his Office
and library would be at his disposal
as we'll as his telephone and stenog
raphcr, AT one time during Il legal
wrangel between Mr.. Newsome and
the commonwealth Attorney no less
than three OF the lawyers went to
their offices to bring Mr.. Newsomc
the authorities cited by him. We con
Tess it made us feel very proud.
But to the trial. Cummin Wyatt
was charged with numbering IN cold
blood, during the colorcd fair, anoth
er colorcd man named John Hoskins.
One witness testified that he saw
Wyatt fire the shot and heard tho
deceased cry, "Cummin Wyatt has
shot mel" An aged coIorcd woman
testified that. she arrived at tho
scene OF the shooting a few moments
after it happened, and tho deceased
told her "Cummin Wyatt shot me
right here putting his hand on his
side where he was shot. Other evil
dence Of most Damaging character
tCck up the cntite morning session.
Against this e .idence the accused
went on the stand and swore that no
was about five or six miles from tho
scene Of the crime at the time It oc
CURED. Several friends of his corr OBJ
Grated his story.
The entire trial was enlivened by
several legal clashes between the at
torncys in which Mr.. Newsome con
WINGED all present that he was a past
master in his profession.
After the instruction had been read
to the jury, Mr.. White the Common
wcalth's Attorney made his opening
address in which he came out boldly
for murder in the first degree. He
laid much emphasis upon the old col
cred lady's testimony, saying that a
We man of her age would not perjure
herself and swear Il mans life away.
He made a convincing argument to
the jury, and things looked black in
deed for the prisoner. AS soon as he
sat down Mr.. Newsome arose and
calmly addressed the court. "May it
please your Honor" he began, and
Immediately a thrill ran through the
courtroom. Then for forty-five min
utes Accomac was treated to the great
est legal argument it has heard In
quarter of century.
With wit, humor, and eloquencc Of
surprising force and beauty, Mr.. New
some tore down the last fabric Of the
structure erected by the Common
wcalth"s Attorney and literally
brought men to their feet as he warn
ed the jury Of what the consequence
would be to them in their own future
souls if they made a mistake result
ing III the death OF an innocent man.
We would be happy if we could
convey. even family an idea Of Mr.