THE RICHMOND (VA) DISPATCH File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Judith McGowan The Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, VA, Saturday, November 17, 1888: "TRIAL OF JOS. LUCAS. - He Answers for Killing Thomas J. Crafton. - The Jury Convict Him of Murder in the Second Degree and Give him Five Years in the Penitentiary." "The case of Joseph Lucas, charged with the murder of Thomas Jeffries Crafton, was tried in the Hustings Court yesterday. Colonel M. L. Spotswood represented the State and Messers. S. B. Witt, C. V. Meredith, and S. Taylor Evans appeared for the prisoner. THE KILLING. On the night of the 21st of last May a ball took place at Blenner's Park. Crafton was the gate-keeper, and one of the patrons of the ball was Joseph Lucas. The latter had a dispute with the former over the gate-fee. The parties came to blows, and were soon separated. After the ball Crafton and Charles Fleming (a friend of Lucas) got into a difficulty. Lucas came up in the mean time and picked up a stone and threw it, striking Crafton on the head, knocking him insensible. The former made his escape and spent the remainder of the night at the Fair-Grounds and soon worked his way to Danville, where he was arrested and brought back here. Crafton lived until the 7th of June, but was never well enough to tell anything about the fray. After his death Lucas was indicted for murder. The witnesses for the Commonwealth yesterday were the same as those who testified at the Coroner's Inquest, and their statements did not differ materially from what they said on that occasion. The paving-block with which it is said Lucas struck Crafton is wedge-shaped, and weighs nine pounds four ounces. STATEMENT OF ACCUSED. Lucas's counsel put the prisoner on the stand yesterday to testify in his own behalf. He said he was drunk on the night that he struck Crafton, but claimed that the deed was done in self-defense. He stated that Fleming was the only friend that he had present that night. After he had engaged in the fist-fight with Crafton he knew the latter was very angry with him. While Crafton and Fleming were engaged in a row he heard some one say "Now is the time to kill the d--n rascal," and he thought they referred to himself. He picked up a stone about the size of an egg and threw into the crowd and immediately left, and spent the night in an out-house at the Fair-Grounds, as he thought that the crowd would beat him. Prisoner declared the stone which was exhibited in court was not the one thrown by himself, but that the one which struck Lucas (sic) was not larger than a hen's egg. SPEECHES. With the testimony of the prisoner the evidence was closed. Colonel Spotswood opened the argument in a few-minutes' speech, saying that he would not ask the jury for a verdict of murder in the first degree, but he hoped such crimes would not go unpunished. Mr. Evans followed in a short speech for the defense, asking the jury to show mercy to his client. Hon S. B. Witt made a splendid effort in behalf of the prisoner. He did not claim that his client had not acted wrong, but to err was human. The deed was not committed in cold blood but in the heat of passion. He believed in the punishment of crime, but he would ask the jury to deal as mercifully as possible with the prisoner. He reminded them that the verdict would not only affect the prisoner but his young wife and little child (both of whom were present). Mr. Witt made a very feeling speech, and the prisoner, as well as his wife, was moved to tears. Mr. Meredith closed the argument for the defense. He claimed that Lucas only did what any other man in his place would have done--defend himself. He asked the jury to bring in a verdict to acquit him of any crime. Colonel Spotswood closed on behalf of the State, and asked for a verdict of murder in the second degree. THE VERDICT. The case was then given to the jury, who after about fifteen minutes' consultation returned with a verdict of murder in the second degree and fixed the punishment at five years in the penitentiary. PERSONAL. When the verdict was read Mrs. Lucas, who was sitting by the side of her husband with their little four-year-old boy on her lap, buried her face in her hands and wept bitterly. The prisoner took the announcement very coolly and lifted his little son on his lap and tried to comfort his sorrowing wife. he was left alone with his family on one side of the room for a few minutes and was then taken down to the jail. Lucas does not look to be over twenty-two years old, is sparely built, and weighs about 150 pounds. He has a hair-lip and a long, boyish face. His wife appears to be a few years his senior and has a pleasant but care-worn face. Crafton was thirty-four years of age and left a wife and two children, the youngest of which was just eight weeks old at his death. 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