July 22, 2021 / Joanne Yeck

Buckingham County Crimes: The Murder of Meade Hanes, Part XXVII

Richard E. Byrd, Sr. Courtesy Wikipedia.

Need to catch up? Click here to begin the series: Buckingham County Crimes: The Murder of Meade Hanes, Part I

On January 9, 1914 Richmond’s the Times-Dispatch revisited the case against Mott Glover with this surprising headline: “Poetry Failed to Prove Him Crazy. Mott Glover, Who quoted It at Dance, Can’t Escape Term For Killing Meade Haines (sic).” The article opened: “The Supreme Court of Appeals yesterday refused to intervene in the case of Mott R. Glover, convicted of the murder of Meade Haines and sentenced to eighteen years in the penitentiary.”

A typical recap followed. Then the article refers to a transcript of the trial, revealing that a second appeal had been presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

. . . The transcript of record shows a number of instances, including a Christmas dance, at which Glover repeated some poetry without being asked to say anything, several of the neighbors testifying that they regarded these incidences as queer, and possibly as indications that Glover was losing his mind.

The petition had once before been refused by the Supreme Court would presented by Hal D. Flood and John B. Moon, attorneys. The second petition was presented by Richard Evelyn Byrd.

This mention of the neighbors who testified concerning Mott Glover’s sanity reinforces what seem to be fundamental contradictions in the case, leaving us unsure about his condition. Had his mind never fully developed, as the doctors suggested? Did his erratic behavior indicate a deteriorating mind? Or, had he planned and executed the murder of Meade Hanes with forethought?

Richard E. Byrd’s involvement in the case is a significant new detail. To learn more about Byrd’s life and family, click here: Richard Evelyn Byrd Sr.

Coming Next: Buckingham County Crimes: The Murder of Meade Hanes, Part XXVIII