The Bluefield Telegraph, Bluefield, W. Va.
Friday Morning, May 31, 1912

ALLEN TRIAL NEAR ITS END

Effort Being Made to Impeach Witness Who Said Judge Declared With Dying Breath That Sidna Killed Him.

Wytheville, Va., May 30. —Witnesses introduced b the commonwealth today in the trial of Claude Allen for the murder of Judge Massie, attacked the veracity of Daniel Thomas, one of the chief witnesses for the defense. Thomas testified that the first shot did not come from the corner of the room where Claude Allen was standing. The defense requested and was granted adjournment until tomorrow to introduce witnesses in rebuttal. Instructions to the jury were argued today.

Eight witnesses were examined for the prosecution. They were placed on the stand for the purpose of impeaching the testimony of Daniel Thomas who stated that he held Judge Massie’s head in his lap as he was dying and Judge Massie said with his last breath, “I am killed; I am dying, and Sidna Allen did it.”

The witnesses examined were: R. J. Worrell, R. W. Bass, Church Alderman, J. P. and T. G. Semones, Daniel Nestor and B. M. Jett. These witnesses stated that they would not believe Daniel Thomas on oath and that his reputation for handling the truth and veracity was bad.

At the close of their testimony court adjourned to await the arrival of other witnesses from Carroll who will testify that they will believe Thomas on oath and that his reputation for handling the truth is good.

The arguments of counsel will probably begin some time tomorrow.

Thomas, the man whom the prosecution seeks to impeach, testified that the first shot came from a part of the courtroom far removed from where the defendant stood on the bench by the side of his uncle, and opposite the stand where Judge Massie sat.