Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-20
commonwealth Attorney
Expresses Ability to Re-
futc Pollard Defense.
ASSERTS PROSECUTION
WOULD WELCOME AID
Mrs. Beck Declares Accused
Man Proposed Mar
riagc to Her.
SINGER MAKES An AFFIDAVIT
snJs Pollard Iind Enlargement with
Her ON tho Night Mrr. Richnrd-
aon L-ost Life.

Evidence 10 provo that ?Irs. Thcl-
ma Richardson. %. stenographer and
Givorcce. WAS not tho victim OF an
accidental shooting at the home Of
Thomas Pollard. 80. real estate man
who is charged with killing her Mon
day night. December II. Will be pre-
sentcd when the accused man is ar
raiSncd In court. according 70 Com
inonwcalth's Attorney Satterheld last
night.
Mr.. Satterhcld expressed the belief
,hht tho prosecution will he In POSI-
tion TO refutc any theory of acct
dental killing In the case. Asked
whether any other lawyer would be
employed TO assist In tho prosecu-
tion. he said he understood that rcia-
';vea OF tho dead woman had con
sidercd engaging counsel but up TO
Tho present time no action has been
would welcome tho services Of as
sistant prosecuting counsel in the
case.
Ever since Pollard's arrest on the
charge OF killing Mrs. Richardson
the defense has insisted that hc will
tc able TO give satisfactory cX-
piana;ion Of the tragedy when the
time comes FOR him TO testify and
tha, no viii tell all. IT may be
eide are jus,itabic or cxcusabl- 1t
may also be argued that neither JUS
tiNablc nor oNcusabln homicide In
wolves any legal quit or punishment.
Whatever may he the lines. OF argu-
rnent. however. II Is known shat the
defense ciings to the theory OF ac-
cihental killing. while tn. police as
sert they have evidence to prove
that Pollard was responsible for the
womi,n's death.
Choir Singer Makes AmdoyIt.
While II was known To the police
that another woman probably Was
tho innocent cause OF the tragedy. It
was not until yesterday afternoon
that tho name OF Mrs. Bertha Louise
Beck. "a. OF 1901 Perry Street. South
Richmond was made public In the
affidavit rho has given tho police
concerning tho Gaze. Mrs. Beck. who
is "A choir singer and an attractive
woman. admits that Pollard proposed
marriage TO her "iie asked mo 10
marry him AS soon as we could
straighten out our affairs. referring.
uf course. 10 our divorces" she af-
nrmcd In her anidavit.
Mrs. Beck admits that. on the night
preceding the tragedy. she went to
Central Methodist Church. South
Richmond. after seeing Pollard few
hours prior to that time She says
Pollard met her that night and took
her on an automobile ride that lasted
until il o'clock.
II think as much now OF Mr.. Pol
lard as ever did" she stated in
her affidavit. "lie Is very dear
friend OF mine. Mr.. Pollard has given
me ring with an aquamarine set
ting: he has also given me silver
mesh bag. gold bracelet. earrings
TO match with settings of amethyst.
and a solid white-gold Gruen wrist
watch. ! have been receiving support
from my husband weekly until the
last few weeks"
Refers to Suits for Divorce.
Mrs. Beck's affidavit. In substance.
is as follows:
Il was married on juno Is. 1918.
TO II. L. Beck. We lived together
until June, 1922. when we separated
and planned TO get a divorce.
have known Tom Pollard for nve
years. Recently. he has been call.
ing on me several times week and
carrying me in his automobile to
take my music lessons.
Il knew at the time that he was n
married man living apart from his
wife and child. ! allowed him to call
or me as suitor because he was liv-
ing apart from his wife and l was
not living with my husband.
'iie asked me to marry him as
soon as VIC could straightcn out our
affairs. referring. OF course, to our
divorces. lie has not paid one cent
out OF his pocket. nor have /. for pro-
CONTINUED on Page I3. Col. g.