Year: 1879

END OF THE COUNSEL ARGUMENTs-THE CASE
GIVEN TO THE JUEY-No VERDICT YET.


(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.


RICHMOND Va. March 81. 1879.
The Poindexter trial was resumed this
morning and the entire day was devoted
to tho argument of counsel The attend
ance was larger than on any preceding
day. and the negroes monopolized the greater por-
tion of the limited accommodations in the court
room A room in the rear of the court was occu-
pied by ladies' who could hear the argument through
lattice blinds The Commonwealth s Attorney. George
d. Wise. made the opening argument He con-
graduated the jury upon the near termination OF
the case, and assured them of impartial discharge
of his duty in the case. In the of his argu-
.nent he made reference to the pistol
and shotgun epidemic which has been raging
In the State of Georgia. in Texas. in
Mississippi and in Kentucky recently, which
was very timely and appropriate He reviewed the
evidence very effectively. and cited authorities to
show that the offence murder. OF Curtis char
actor and Christian life he spoke with eloqucnce and
tenderness made the most of the point that Poin-
dexter utterly refused to give Curtis an to
apologize and would not even so much us tell him
the name of the lady thought to be aggrcved. With
all the fervor of which he is master he said. "Gen-
tlemcn of the jury: care not what may DC 'r your
be Curtis dead than Poindexter living.
The crowd began to pat the hoor with their
,eet and burst of applause imminent when
he ravel of the Judge fell with such stern warming
that instant silence was secured. He insisted upon
.he proposition that man who brings on a conflict
has no right to take life under any circumstances.


DEFENCE.


The argument for the defence Wa opened by Mr..
John S. Wise. who paid fitting tribute to the
Christian life and character OF Curtis, the deceased
He would not asperse his memory. He died fighting
81 Curtis Poindexter had forfeited the God given
right OF self-defence. Referring to the speech
Structures were made upon Miss. Cottrell. He said
that gentleman was unjust to her ana unJuss
TO himself in this. Her reception of 9TH, the
dexter shows that she thought of anything else
than what had occurred. oh. no, she never planned
If She did leave her to the stillnes of the night. like
the Lady of the Lake. wringing her hands and ex-
claiming


The wreck my vanity brought on


Mr.. Wise. after powerful argument in conclud-
waited the charge to murder. II this man is guilty.
hang him; il not, turn him loose Let
and and for thing any of us might have done fwouid
rather him hanged than to go to feon's cell to-
come out to have the finger discern pointed ut him.
fence made another strong and effective argument.
in which he confined himself closely to the facts. and
Guilty it would free him from everything that took
place the factory but he would still be liable to
punishment for the horsewhipping.


Mr.. George d. Wise, the Commonwealth s Attor-
ney then made the closing argument in the course
of which summed up the entire facts in the case.
and appealed to the jury to return verdict accord
ding TO the law and the evidence.


THE JURY.


At twenty minutes to eight p NJ. the arguments
being closed, the given to the jury. who
retired to their consultation room to make up
verdict. The great crowd still remained
in the court room, and the streets approaching
it were thronged with people eagerly discussing the
case and specializing upon the verdict. At ten o'clock
the jury still out and an inquiry resulting that
fhev vsera mn nj Ia n apra n
given in charge of the City Sergeant and the Court
adjourned until tomorrow at ten o'clock.