The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-02-27

WILLIAM J. ANNABLE CONVICTED OF PENr-
TERTIARY OFFENCE. cise of William J..
Annable, former clerk OF Henrco County
Court, which has occupied the att cntion Of the
Hastings Court for several days past, was
brought TO close yesterday morning by
the jury bringing in n rerdic. of guilty and
hxing his term Of punishment in the peniten-
tiary at three years. Captain George D.
Wise, Commonweai,h's attorney, concluded
his argument in the case on Tuesday night,
and the jury were given until yesterday
morning TO render their verdict. Being at
first unable to agree, they came into court.
and after questioning one Of the principal
witnesses retired, and in few minutes
came back with n verdict rs above stated.
Annablc was tried upon an indictment "for
obtaining money under false prctcnces;" un-
der the following circumstances:
II seems that on or about the 18th of De-
cember. 1871, the Board of Supervisors Of
Hcnrico county met to make allowances for
certain debts due by the county, OF which
were TO become due during the next year.
Amongst these was an allowance OF 81 ,424
10 Mr.. Anuable for his services as clerk. This
money was to he obtained only 10y warrants,
which arc issued by the clerk and signed by
the president of the board. who happened ut
at this TIME to be Major s. n. Annablc, the
father Of the clerk. On the 30th of December
Mr.. Anuablc, the clerk, issued warrants in his
own favor to the amount OF 81 $50, and be.
tween that date and tue 9th of April, 1872, had
issued warrants amounting in the aggregate
to S3,100-more than two and balf times
the amount allowed him--and on which he
procured the money by sale to other parties.
One of them fell into the hands of DIR. Isaiah
Ii. White, on whose testimony suit was
brought. The foil amount Of the warrants,
as above stated, was exhibited in court. AS
soon as 1t was suspected that fraud had been
done, the county authorities took the matter
in hand, but the transaction having occurred
III the city of Richmond, the ca,lSe was re-
moved to the Hastings Court.
The indictment against him was not drawn
under the statute for obtaining money under
false pretenceS, but is common-law indict.
ment for larceny, it having been so drawn
under n recent decision Of the Supreme
Court Of Virginia it having decided that
party guilty Of obtaining money under
false prerences can be convicted under such
an indictment.
Upon the rendering of the verdict by the
jury. Mr.. Howard, counsel for the prisoner,
made motion for new trial. and time was
given him to prepare bill Of exceptions.
This motion will be argued on Saturday. In
regard to this motion. counsel for the pri-
soncr maintained that the county was re-
-sponSi1le for the amount Of the warrants, and
that if the holders of them are paid they of
course are not losers by his action, and that
therefore the charge in the indictment OF OBJ
tanning money under false pretences is not
well founded.
Captain Wise, Commonwcalth's attorney,
was applied to by Mr.. Annablc when the
first action against him was taken by the
county authorities TO act with his counsel !;
but upon being Informed that the case would
be carried into the city courts hc promptly
deciiucd. He was counsel for him when the
question Of his removal was argued in the
County Court some time ago.