Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-25
MISS KNOX ENTERS
NOT GUILTY PLEA
Nurse Disclaims Responsibility
for Murder Of Mrs.
EastIake
SHE SHOWS NO EMOTION

Special Dspatch 10 Evening Public Ledger
AEOntrOss, Va. April 25.--Sara Eu-
phonia Knox. trained nurse on trial for
her life for the murder OF Mrs. Mar
garct Eastlakc. former Philadclphian.
entered a plea of not guilty today when
arraigned before Judge Joseph W..
Chinn.
Miss Knox. trim in a black dress.
white waist and low -cut black shoes.
seemed little affected by the thought
that she was charged with brutal MUIR
der. She is not a handsome woman:
being middle-agcd. rather stout and
with harsh and forbidding features.
The nurse arose with apparent un-
concern when her name was called by
the clerk, and she was asked whether
Standing beside her chief attorney,
Harry N. Smith. Jr.. OF Richmond. one
Of the most widely known criminal
lawyers in Virginia. she looked at the
Judge confidently and answered in a
clear voice. Not guilty
Courtroom Crowded
The trial began at II clock in the
same dingy little courthouse where
Roger -. Eastlake. husband OF the
murdered woman, was tried ana nc
quilted. The crowd which assembled
to see Miss Knox tried was large one
for the opening day, and Indicated that
the court will be as jnmmed during the
Knox trial ns IL was when Eastlakc
was tried and acquitted. There were
many women among the spectators.
Mr.. Smith. Miss Knox's counsel,
opened the proceedings by making q
motion TO quash the indictment on each
count. followed by motion to quash
the yenrie facias. and finally by de-
murrer to the indictment.
Judge Chinn denied all the motions.
Mr.. Smith explained that his motions
were purely technical. taken for the
purpose OF the record in case the pres.
ent Courts decision were appealed.
Shows No Emotion
Miss Knox listened with interest. bu;
no emotion to the reading Of the lengthy
indictment against her. in which she
was charged with the murder.
Then began the selection OF jurors
Following the Virginia custom, twenty
Jurors were drawn. this number to be
reduced by the exercise Of each sides
right to challenge four pcremptorally.
I'VE will prove that the revolver
found beneath the steps Of the house
where Mrs. Eastlake lived was owned
By Sara Euphonia Knox declared
Watt II. Mayo. Commonwealth nttor-
ney. as the trial was about to begin hert
todav.
Roger Eastlakc will testify agains,
Miss Knox" continued Mr.. Mayo. 81
propose to prove by his evidence that the
revolver belonged to the nurse who goes
on trial today
Note Refers TO Gun
Mr.. Mayo declared that he possessed
note written by Miss Knox to East.
lake. and passed by her from her eel
to his. in which she cautioned him &c
SAY nothing about the gun
East!akc. Mr.. Mayo said, had re-
ccived many notes from Miss Knox in
the same way. and after reading them
had torn them up. This note. how
ever. Mr. Mayo said, Eastlake had put
in mis- pocket, tearing up piece OF
paper Ike it. so as to deceive thf
nurse, and had given the original tc
the Commonwealth attorney.
Tho trial was ready 70 begin at II
clock this morning, with prospects o.
the entire afternoon being spcnt get
! ting n jury.
Mrs. Eastlake. n former Philade!
rhan. was brutally killed at coionia
Reach on September 80. She wal
! shot. then hacked twenty. nine time
about the face and neck with Ratchet
/ Her two cbildren--Roger. Jr.. an,
! Margaret--wcre in the house AT tn
! time, Eastake is chief petty office
/ in the navy.
! Former Philadelpbians
, The Eastlakes formerly lived in Phil
adeInhia tho husband navy chic
petty officer. being 4 son Of Mrs. Mabe
| r. Esstluke, Of 74l0 Boyer street
Mount Airy, and the wife daughter o
William II. Thorne. of 100 Pine street
Eastlnke first met Mss Knox when h
was stationed ut Cape May before hi
transfer TO Colonial Beach.
Miss Knox arrived yesterday after
noon about 4 o'clock in the custody o
Detective Sergeant William 4. Toler
of Richmond. She was brought b.
train to fredericksburg from Richmond
where she had been in prison for s!'
months. The alleged murderer did no
appear perturbed at the impending trial
She chattrd nonchal1ntly with her at
torneys, Harry NJ Smith, Jr.. Of Rich
mond, and Fred w. Coleman. of Fred
more of going on a picnic than OF ap
preaching fight for her life.
DeplOred imprisonment
Il am so happy at getting out o
that stuffy jGil.' she said. that | an
not worrying about the trial, After all
you know. It's more fghr for the law
yers. and my worrying about IL won
help. My years in the hospital made m
something Of stole. and have though
about the trial very little during m
. stay In prison.
Her eyes frightened and she cy
claimed, the newspapers ought to 6gh