The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-28
LOCAL MATTERS.

TUE CHAHooN TRIAL BnouGHT TO A
CLosE-THE PRISONER CONVICTED OF Ut
TERING FORGED PAPER.-Yesterday morn
ing the room Of the Hastings Court was
crowded with persons attracted thither by
the widespread belief that the jury in the
case Of George Chahoon, indicted for forge
~, had agreed upon verdict. Judge Gut
Eon took his seat upon the bench at IL
o'clock, and the jurors were brought in
about fifteen minutes later.
In reply to the usual question of the
clerk, Mr. WoodhouSe, the foreman, re-
piled guilty" in low voice, and handed
the papers to Mr.. Jinkins, who proceeded
to read, 1--WE the jury find the prisoner not
guilty" Here he was interrupted by a loud
shout, clapping of hands, and other demon
strations of delight, by the negroes in the
rear Of the courtroom, and many, without
waiting to hear the conclusion Of the YER
dict, rushed out of the hall into the street
to give vent to their JOY and spread the
good news, as they supposed it to be.
Those Of the noisy ones who remained,
however, were disappointed, as the clerk
read on as follows: Not guilty upon the
dictmcnt but find him gully upon the
second and fourth counts, as charged in the
Indictment, and we ascertain his punish
| mcnt to be four years confinement in the
pcnitentiary of the State"
Mr.. Chahoon stood up erect, apparently
! unmOved. and without exhibiting any sur
prise lis the verdict was read, and as soon
ms the clerk had uttered the last word, sat
down quickly, and at once entered into q
conversation in low tone with one OF his
counsel, Governor Wells.
Presently Judge Crump arose, and, adj
dressing the court, announced his intention
to-day to make motion in the case-pro-
badly for 4 new trial or for arrest of judg-
| ment.
The Court : " Very well, sir"
Mr.. Wise, Commemorative Attorney,
| then claimed the attention of the court for
Il moment in the case of johnson II. Sands,
who stands indicted upon precisely the
same charge with Mr.. Chahoon. He said
| that. from the evidence adduced ON the
| trial of Chahoon, there could be no doubt
Of the guilt of Mr.. Sands, and he therefore
| felt it his duty to move that the latter!be now
| taken into custody and sent to Jail TO await
trial. Mr.. Sands. he said, was IL wealthy
| man, and there was every reason to believe
| that he would not hesitate for 4 moment to
pay the penalty Of his failure to appear,
| and escape trial.
| Mr.. J. b. Young, counsel for Mr.. Sands
| made an indignant protest against the use
of such language by the commemorative
| Attorney. That officer, he said, ought moi
to throw the weight of his official position
| against this man before the evidence in the
case has been heard or a jury empanneled
| lie we'll knew that half the testimony III
the case Of Chahoon could not possibly be
| admitted in the case Of Sands. There was
! no probability Of his clients attempting tc
| escape. He had been for weeks in attend
ance upon this court, patiently waiting fol
| Il hearing and WAS in the courtroom III
| this moment. There was no reason what
ever for such an outburst against him, anC
| he felt sure the court and, the Common
wealth'> Attorney himself in his calmcl
moments, must think so.
The court overruled the motion to com
nit Sands, but set the case for trial on Mon
day next. II. s. SanXay and Thos. X. Bow
den were, ut the request of the Attorney
| for the commonwealth, recognized to ap,
pear OH that day as witnesses for the prose
| cution.