“UNWRITTEN LAW” UPHELD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2064, 26 April 1907, Page 1

“UNWRITTEN LAW” UPHELD

THE MURDER OF A SISTER’S HUSBAND.

TWO BROTHERS ACQUITTED,

The unwritten law was proclaimed in the most startling fashion in Virginia on March 7, when James and Philip Strothers, of Rothersidc Hall, Culpepper,were acclaimed the saviours of society for avenging the betrayal of their sister by killing tlioir neighbour aud relative, Mr. William Bywaters. , ' - ~ , The tragedy of Rotherside Hall has moro than once been related. Mr. Bywaters, a dashing young sportsman and popular country gentleman* married Miss Viola Strothers with the 1 listols of her brothers pressed to lus :empies. When, an hour alter the ceremony, he attempted to ’eave tlie liouso to tell his mother of the marriage, James and Philip Strothers shot him like a dog. The story to the jury was that Mr. Bywaters intended to desert his bride, who was lying dangerously ill as the result of an operation, and to avail himself of the Virginian law which renders a wedding void if the couple do not remain together after the ceremony. Since they have been brought, to trial the two prisoners have received daily letters of encouragement and sympathy from men of wealth ana prominence in all parts ot the United States. The Speaker of the Virginia. House of Representatives wrote to them that he prayed Heaven lor their acquittal. Tho appeal addressed to me ,j’iy by Mr. Jeffries, counsel for the de"fence, was a rhetorical vin.liciti.m ot the unwritten law. Though the judge had directed that the unwritten If w must not be mentioned in Court, Air. Jeffries, in the most solemn lang mgo, affirmed that it was the duty of the Strothers brothers, alike in the eyes of God and the world, to 'kill Mr. B.Vwaters. Mr. Jeffries Invoked the Bible in support of bis contention. Taking the sacred volume from a table he recited in tones that brought tears to the eyes of the jury the story of tho betrayal of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, by Shecliem, and how Jacob slew not only the betrayer, hut the entire household.

The jury none the less took an hour and a half to consider their verdict. Immense crowds gathered inside and outside the Courthouse at Culpepper in anticipation of its pronouncement. When finally the. jury entered and declared ‘‘Not guilty,” the crowd broke into loud acclamations. As soon as a semblance -.1 cider had been restored, the judge turned to the jury and said:— “Gentlemen, I am glad to hear you say that our women must be protected. It is an established jrecedent in Virginia that no man tried for defending the sanctity >-f the home should be found guilty.”