Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-02-20
Lawyers Advice Sought
Before Shooting Scene
Was Enacted
TELLS OF ARRIVAL
Real Estate Mans En-
ploye Tells of Disagree
ment Existing Between
Pollard and Typist

Richmond. Va. Feb. 20-Thom-
as Pollard will take the witness
stand in his own defense before
hts trial for the murder of Mrs.
Thelma Richardson closes today.
Il is expected that he will be the
last witness put on for the de-
fense and this will be followed
by several rebuttal witnesses.
1t is believed the case will 90
Co the jury tomorrow afternoon.
At the morning session today
the defense put on several minor
witnesses whose evidence was Of
little Importance. Herbert +.
Richardson, former husband of the
dead woman was recalled and
testified regarding the decorations
received in France during which
time the prosecution alleges, Pol.
lard was despoiling his home.
Willis Miller. lawyer gave ev-
idence regarding the divorce pro-
cecdings of Mrs. Richardson in
which she was granted a decree.
He stated that Pollard told him
of alleged threate against his
(Pollard's) life made by Mrs.
Richardson and many facts in
connection with the divorce suit
were brought out.
Mrs. Fl. Fl. Pollock. fortune
teller. was witness at the morn
ing session and stated that Mrs,
Richardson had often been to her
for readings"
Mrs. Pollock testified that she
had warned Mrs. Richardson of
death by accident or suicide hut
declared she had read from her
palm that her death would mot
be murder" Her life line was
short" the witness declared, land
was broken; indicating that she
would not live to old age
Richmond, Feb. 2O-Thomas
Pollard, Richmond. realty broker.
or trial here for the murder OF
his former stenographer, Mrs.
Ttelma II. Richardson, the night
of December II last, was sobbing
and almost hysterical soon after
the young woman was fatally shot
on the lawn in front Of his apart
ment. his brother, Robert y. Pol
lard, a local attorney, testified
yesterday afternoon.
Upon taking the stand the at
torney first told of Pollard COM
ing to see him few days be-
fore the tragedy, seeking profess
ional advice as to whether he
should have Mrs. Richardson put
under bond for threatening his
life. His brother. he said, finally
decided not to take any action
along this line. principally be-
cause he was afraid she would
be unable to furnish security and
he did not want her togo to jail
in defaul.
The attorney told of the happen
ings after the tragedy as he fig
ured in them, first recalling that
he was summoned nv -elephone
from his nea by home / Mosby
West. He sa when nc arrived
in his automo le b was greeted
by his brother, no bad th pistol
in hand and abb0g nd al
most hystericsL So aguerved
was his brother he I'd to
support him as h tonh into
the house. Befo ertA he
said, he felt the -ie Rf lrs.
Richardson who Va ou -De & ass
nearby and found -tat nc al
ready was dead. previously ne
was informed his brother nd
summoned the city amagloaea
Helping his bro-ter oP teo
stairway to the seco i ator III
where he lived, he n '1 him re
on a bed.
He then directed his attentions
to Mrs. Richardson. He said he
found her hat in the vestibule
and her handbag outside the door.
He examined the pistol held by
his brother when, he arrived. He
said he found that it was still
warm. As we'll as he could re-
call he was summoned TO ahis
brothers home little after 7.3o
P. NJ. a''5l
"Robert, this woman came up