Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-07
GRIFFIN LAWYERS
| SPRINGS SURPRISE
OF SELF-DEFENSE
Prisoner, Accused of SIay-
ing Peter P. knight,
Tells of Attack.
ASSERTS HIS MOTHER
AIDED DEAD MAN
Says He Drew His Gun and
Shot When Both Were
Holding Him.
HAD OPPORTUNITY TO KILL
Scores of witnesses Testify to
Threats Made By
Victim.
ASSERTS HIS MOTHER
AIDED DEAD MAN
HAD OPPORTUNITY TO KILL
Scores of witneSses Testify To
Threats Made By
Victim.

Especial to The Times -Dispatch.l
SUFFOLK, VA, June 6.-A sur
prise was sprung by the defense to-
day when Courtney Griffin, who is
accused OF the murder of Peter T.
knight. OF Nansemond County, took
the stand. and the theory of self-
defense was developed.
Courtney Griffin was a witness in
the afternoon and for three hours
was subjected to an examination by
the defense and severe cross-ex-
animation by the prosecution, dur
Ing which time he told his story
and stuck to the main points
through all of the gruelling ques-
tions shot at him by ]. r. Saunders,
of the prosecution.
The testimony OF Mrs. Peter p.
knight, mother OF the accused, yes
terday was the center about which
the events Of the day revolved
Indications had pointed that the
defense was preparing for plea
Of Insanity. Courtney Grinln told
OF his visit to the home of his
mother on the morning Of March 4.
He said that he stood out in tho
yard and saw Peter p. Knight pass
by twice and did not shoot him. Ha
asserted that he had no desire TO
shoot him. He stated that he only
wanted to get. his mother and
knight together and ind out IL they
were really married.
He said that he went to tho kit
chen door after watching through
the window shutters and seeing
knight caress his mother. He
knocked on the door and called.
Mamma" through the shutters. He
saw knight go into the dining room
and then come back. As tho door
opened he stated that knight, over
his mothers shoulder, poked a gun
at him.
SoiSed the Gun.
Griffin said he grabbed tho gun,
and his mother tried to como be-
tween them. and In the scufie both
knight and Mrs. knight threw him
down and were about to get him
when he got his arm free, drew HIS
own gun and began firing. Knight.
he said. rel!nquished the hold on his
weapon and then Griffin fred again.
He did not intend. he said. to shoot
his mother and did not know that
he had. He fred until tho two let
go. and his coat came of In his
mothers hands. Hs declared that
he stopped at neiGhboFs house
and told the neighbor that he had
shot Mr.. Knight and feared he had
shot his mother.
He then came back to sunolk
changed his clothes, and was ready
to give himself to the police when
they arrived.
Had No Murder Intentions.
On cross-examination Mr.. Griffin.
insisted that he did not go out to
his mothers home with tho inten-
ton OF committing murder, but 10
learn the truth OF the rumors which
he heard OF the relations existing
between his mother and knight, and
II they were married. to have them
tell him so.
Much OF the morning session was
taken up in the endeavor OF the de-
tence 10 show that B. c. Griffin.
rather OF Courtney Griffin, was alb
normal and irritable and subject TO
moody spells.
A dozen witnesses were called also
I" show that Knights COM
Ing to the Griffin farm and the many
stories told 10 young Griffin by his
heishoors. especially Pat Boyce and
MS own wife. concerning his mother
and her alleged conduct. had made
Griffin moody. absent-minded, and
unlike a normal man.
DR.. d. l.. Harrell and DR., w r.
Gay or Lakeview Hospital, where
Mrs. knight was taken after having
been shot. told OF her absenc, ~
display OF any emotion what.ver
either over the tragic death OF her
new husband or the terrible predica-
ment into which her son had gotten
himself Both doctors said that even
on the day OF the tragedy Mrs.
knight showed composure and
cooiness and lack OF grief which
neither OF them had ever seen dis
played before in any patient.
Several witnesses. among them
the former Mayor Q. C. Davis. Of
south Norfolk. and Chief OF Police
X ~. Wharton. OF South Norfolk,
testined that they had known Peter
r knight Cor several years. and
that he was bad. desperate man.
Scores of witnesses were put on
10 show that different threats made
oy knight against Courtney Grln,n
were carried by Jealous 5usybodies
10 grimm, who was made fearful
ana miserable thereby. Indications
are that the case will continue ali
day Wednesday and may go into
Thur.d,,, kftF,