The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-02
LOCAL MATTERS.

EXAMINATION oP DEsPERA ADo.-William
Burch alias William Lightfoot, whose despe-
rate resistance TO the police who tried to ar
rest him about ten days ago we have already
recorded, was brought before the Mayor yes
tcrday for examination. His head was tleFUp
In cotton bandages, his left arm In sling,
and he limped painfully into the rresAnc" OF
The Mayor on n stick. aided by two policemen.
We understand that Lightfoot is an eX-peni-
tertiary convict, who was sentenced for nine
years from Alexandria for stealing horses,
and that hiSterm had just about expired at
the time Of the evacuation. He then escaped,
and eluded recapturc until the day of his ar
rest for the offence above indicated. tie seems
to be still suffering from the wounds received
from the pistol of Sergeant Thomas ut the
time of his arrest. He Is said TO be Il cutler by
trade. and one of the best aXpmallers in the
country He says that he has been At the
anvil ever since he was very small boy, and
his appearance confirms his statement. He
1eetns to be Il man OF considerable intellectual
capacity.
James Clarke testified that on the night
of the 22d Of December he was attending Il
ball at David BrannOn's. A friend noticed
Roach, alias LighLfoot, lingering about his
pants and asked witness II he had his pocket
hook to which ne replied that he had, Shortly
Afterwards lie iell In 10 lnar, ard; On taking,
found his pockct-book gone. Procuring the
services Of n policeman, he endeavored 10 arrest
the prisoner, who knocked him down and es-
capped.
ing of the 2ad Of December, he and another
officer went to LightfooCs house, and told
his wife that they had warrant for her
husbands arrest whcrupon. LiShtfoot sud
denly appeared with q double barrel shotgun,
and saving Eyes, Cd d--n YOU, l have
got some for you too.' fired without effect,
the officers having lodged around the corner.
The officers then returned to headquarters,
where they reported, obtained aid went back,
searched Ligltfoot's house and found him
Trents bridge, and he took refuge IN IN adla-
cent house in dark cuddy in the upper part
Lightfoot pushed his gun through 4 hole IN
the ceiling, and said II they did not leave lie
would blow their brains out. Lightt0Ot then
slipped through the ceiling 10 the room below.
At this point the prisoner asked contlnu-
ance of the case on the ground that MS VIII
npsscs were not present. The Mayor, however,
decided TO proceed. Lighttoot said he dld not
know what he was doing, but was inclined 10
think from what II" had heard, that the state
ment of the last witness was incorrect, lie re-
marked that his wife caught his gun, when
was accidentally discharged.
Sergeant Thomas testified that when the
prisoner broke through the ceiling and landed
in the lower room he refused TO surrender,
and said he did not intend TO be arrested by any
ID rebel. Witness at 1rst thought Llghtloo'
fired upon him. but afterwards found DOM
barrels of his gun loaded, ana concluded Una,
this was not the case. Witness fired his psto
three times, each shot taking effect upon th'
prisoner, who resisted desperately and broke
the stock of his gun over him.
Policeman McHcnry testified that the pri,
soner, after being wounded by Sergeant
Thomas. made for the river, and endeaVored
to get Off in n boat, but fell in the river, ant
was pulled in by witness
Sergeant Brown fully corroborated the testi
mony Of officers Rex and Mcllrnry.
The prisoner, on being asked II ne nau any
thing TO say, wished TO know If his wounds
were not to he taken into consideration.
The Mayor replied that had he known now
severe were his wounds, he would not nave
had him brought up to-day.
! The nrisoneT conducted his own case without
counsel. and with no little shrewdness.
The Mavor remanded him for trial before the
Hastings Court, and refused ball.