Norfolk Virginian, March 29, 1889

THE TAYLOR POISONING CASE.

Moral -- Murder

The Testimony all in and the Jury Deliberating -- Mrs. Taylor Alarmed.

Special Dispatch to The Virginian.]

ACCOMAC COURTHOUSE, Va., March 28. -- The testimony in the case of Mrs. Virginia Taylor having been concluded yesterday, argument commenced immediately upon the assembling of court this morning.

State Senator Blackstone opened the argument for the prosecution in a very forcible speech. He gave a summary of the circumstances of the case, and analyzed the evidence in a clear and skillful manner. He spoke for about two hours. He made a strong appeal to the jury to meet out justice to the accused.

Hon. John Neely, of Norfolk, followed Senator Blackstone. He made a strong argument for the defense. Mr. Neely made a strong effort to show that Taylor came to his death from natural causes, and that no positive testimony had been produced to show that the accused had ever administered any poison to deceased. Mr. Neely spoke for nearly three hours.

He appealed to the jury in eloquent terms for the acquittal of Mrs. Taylor.

Commonwealth Attorney Fletcher closed the argument in a forcible and effective speech. His summary of the case for the prosecution was clear and comprehensive.

The case was given to the jury at 6:30 p. m., and the jury then retired.

Mrs. Taylor, for the first time during the trial, appeared to be very serious, but she did not show any emotion or excitement.

The trial has been the most interesting and remarkable ever tried in Accomac County Court. Large crowds have been in attendance each day. The jury will probably decide upon a verdict tomorrow morning.