Chapter 10. Day One

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Photograph of the Elizabeth City County Court House, undated.

In Forsaken, this chapter describes the first day of Virginia Christian's trial on 8 April 1912. Below are court records from the trial that are part of the Elizabeth City County records at the Library of Virginia. Included are: list of witnesses, their testimony, and jury instructions. Also included is newspaper coverage of the first day of the trial from the Times-Herald and Daily Press.

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List of prosecution witnesses, Commonwealth vs. Virginia Christian, Elizabeth City County (Va.) Commonwealth versus Virginia Christian, 1912. Local government records collection, Hampton/Elizabeth City County Court Records. Library of Virginia.

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Trial Testimony in the case of the Commonwealth vs. Virginia Christian. Elizabeth City County (Va.) Commonwealth versus Virginia Christian, 1912.

Jury Instructions, Elizabeth City County (Va.) Commonwealth versus Virginia Christian, 1912.

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Girl Pleads Not Guilty of Murder, Times-Herald (Newport News), April 8, 1912.

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Virginia Christian to be Put on Trial, Daily press (Newport News, Va. : Final ed.), April 7, 1912.

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Mrs. Belote's Death is Depicted in Court at Christian Trial, Daily press (Newport News, Va. : Final ed.), April 9, 1912.