Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-08
)RORS OUT LESS
| THAN 4 MINUTES
stimony of Alienist in Hamp-
tons Tragedy Favors
Accused Woman.
RD'S POWERFUL PLEA
Us Cumming Gave Woman
His Name. Then Kicked
Her Into Street.


AMPToN. VA. Aprii Mrs s
don Cumming, charged with the
Tdcr II her husband. "a prominent
yer OF Hampton. this evening Mas
nd not guilty" by jury OF the
zabcth city County circuit Court,
light shc Is :. free woman, free for
hrst time since she met G;ordon
mining twCiye years ago
took tho jury less than four min.
TO reach the verdict Richard
1.iyn Byrd. counsel for the accused.
lie powerful plea for aCuuIttal.
Ing his plea on temporary insanity
uEht about by the persecution OF
man she was charged with kin
tn" father OF the eight ycar-old
who sat bS hts mother during the
q and often nut his arms about her
k and kissed her.
AIi~ni~t with Defense.
pr. l., :. Foster. formerly super
,ndcnt OF the Eastern State Hos
Al At WILLIAMSBURG. and an expert
nervous Disorders, stated that ne
cved Ms. Cumming temporarily
anc At the time .. the shooting
that. had she been q woman of
- education. he did not think 81.
ild have stood tho treatment she
eived az long as she did
II tn" story told by Mr.. Byrd osho
,tci :hc sord.d tale Of the Cum
* tragedy /" true ne said "sha
no, mentally responsible Al the
and did not know what sho was
ng"
mere was stamping Of fec, n the
rtrooin at this and tho judge ord
d II cleared OF aii persr,s who
e standing.
Threntrn~ Appinuders.
lc threatened 10 fine or lo>H ~, tho
I pc-cnn who created .iisturb-
{. Nrs. Cumming ma ain:,,,ai
rous calm most OF the dav. s.,
cs she would break down and sob.
ccialiy when tho il,tlc boy was
ntioncd
hen the verdict. Not guilty" rang
lowiy hut distinctly in the crowd
courtroom, over which dead
e, prevailed. Mrs, Cumming sank
IN in her seat. a Smile wreatning
tired and drawn face for the nrst
c in man: DAYS.
Thank the people. the jury. the
&c and my lawyers for me-" sh.
4 when seen by "A newspaper rep
.ntativc. 'Ereryone has hecn most
d. ] am fun to say more"
he little nos was hugg!ng and
sing his mother and she buried ner
c In his hair. Her people crowded
und her and she was taken from
courtroom. There Was family
MON in the lester home in Fox
tonight
Byrd Makes Powerful Appeal.
ir. B:rd's appeal for the acquittal
tho woman was ono Of the most
vcrful ever heard in Tidewatcr Vir-
ia. He painted the scenes pre-
usly related in the courtroom. He
4 Of the tins Cumming had Aic
man thrown in jail and tho ch;Id
en- away. lie attempted to cx-
SIS what must have been her feel
s at that time, hut admitted he
lied wocfully." lie said, in part:
My friend. the counsel for the
10. says Mr.. Cumming did mighty
nS when he gave this woman the
nceiy and priceless Cumming name.
gave her this name and kicked her
the street with her child.
Even the lowest beasts make pro-
- ion for their females. especially
en- they are bearing children.
inscl for the prosecution asks that
forget that the prisoner is
man. that YOU try her as man.
cannot forget this. man and law
re made TO protect women.
4 few days ago this little boy put
arms around his mother and
led her what she thought those
n were going TO do with her. He
nted to protect her. Let her be
10 say 10 him tomorrow that you
F.c given her life and liberty. that
have given her an opportunity.
IL have sworn solemn oath to
TO do your duty as you see it.
ltlemcn. / ask that you bring in a
dict of acquittal."
Attacks Insanity PIcn.
'ounsel for the Commonwealth
nted out that the insanity expert
testified that Mrs. Cumming
ght have lost her mental faculties
q fit of anger. have stccled herself
Kill man against whom she had
.rudgc and mad been too cowardly
kill. He said that the evidence
wed that she had threatened to.
the accused, that the killing was
meditatcd.
The story is n sordid one" nc said.
was money. always money.
ney was the cause of Il great part
the trouble. Had Mrs. Cumming
Mr. Cumming alone as she was
yised to do he probably would
ye done mora for her. Her friends
his friends thought they were
ng the best thing when the mar
&c took place and the prenuptial
reement was made. :,
Tdrs. Cumming went on the stand
first thing this morning for tho
.ss s-cSamination. She stood up we'll
der Il. Mr.. Cock was lcnient.
zen she testified: IT don't remem-
- at various points he dismissed
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