Evening star., 1943-08-29
Insanity Seen Defense
In CIatterbuck Trial
Opening Tomorrow
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special Dispatch to The Star.
LEESBURG, Va, Aug. 2s.-Thom-
as William Clatterbuck, confessed
slayer of three members of a prom
inent Loudoun County family and
their tenant farmers, is expected to
use insanity as defense when he
goes on trial here Monday for first
degree murder, 1t was learned to-
night.
Clatterbuck pleaded not guilty
when he was indicted at the June
term of court on five first-degree
murder charges. 1t was pointed out,
however. that despite his confession,
not guilty was the only plea he
could make that would enable his
counsel to present evidence of in
sanity.
Maj. r. A. Mcintyre of Warren
ton, Clatterbucks' counsel, has CIV
en- no indication of how he will prove
insanity. Although the prosecution
has ordered 30 witnesses summoned,
the defense has sent in no list of
prospective witnesses.
Wife Due to Testify.
Clatterbuck's wife, however, is al
most certain to testify in his de-
tense. 1t was because she was an
eXpectant mother and was to be
defense witness that the case was
twice postponed. Her fifth child
was born late In July.
Among those testifying for the
prosecution will be Mercer Love.
brother of the slain farmer; Clar-
ence L. Robey, president of the Pur-
celville National Bank and admin
istrator OF the Love estate; Virginia
State Sergt c. w. Blue, one of the
leaders of the investigation which
climaxed in Clatterburck' arrest
two days after the slayings and other
State and county police.
The 33-year-old quarry worker
and choir tenor actually will be tried
for the murder of Walter Russell
tenant farmer on the Love estate.
Other victims of the mass Staying
which occurred on the morning of
June l were Mr.. and Mrs. A. Morris
Love, their 22-year-old son James
and Mrs. Russell.
Panel of 60 Selected.
Indications in Leesburg today were
that more time would be consumed
in finding a jury than in the trial
itself A panel of go prospective
jurors has been selected, but court
officials admit it will be difficult to
find 10 vapirep,ar ,r,yon ~. ,1t -,
quainted with the case which
aroused the whole county.
II IL persons without precon-
ceived opinions OF the case cannot
be drawn from the panel, it will
take several days to get another
panel together. 1t may even be
necessary. in the opinion OF some
county officials, to go outside the
county for a jury.
1t was estimated that presenta-
ton of the evidence would con-
sumo only about two days, partic-
ularly since the evidence will be
limited to the Russell murder.
However, that evidence may bring
out some hitherto undisclosed facts.
Reports, for instance, that a second
gun definitely traced to Clatterbuck
was located have never been Off
cially confirmed. The two other
murder weapons were a. croquet
mallet with which Mr.. Love was
to death and a rife, said
to belong to James.
Second Gun Evidence.
The second gun, the rifle stock of
which was said to have been found
beside Mr.. Russells body, would
establish that Clatterbuck carried
a death weapon to the Love farm
when he went there, according to his
to discuss a forged note
for $4,000.
After his arrest, Clatterbuck was
lodged in the Winchester Jail, but
since the indictment on June IA,
he has been held in the Leesburg
Jail where his wife and other mem
bers of his family have visited him.
He appears to be cheerful on the
eve of his trail, reads the Bible
and often sings hymns.
Commonwealth's Attorney Charles
F. Harrison will be assisted by w.
w. Butzner, Fredericksburg, in the
prosecution of the case, which will
be heard by Judge J. r. H. Alex
ander.