The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-03-20
Trial of the Grant Parish
Prisoners.
REPORT OF JUDGE WOODS CHARGE.

REPORT oF-JUDGE WOODS CHARGE.
The trial Of the Grant parish prisoners
was concluded in New Orleans last Fri
day. The following is a report, taken
from the Times, Of Judge Woods charge
to the jury:
There was a large attendance of citi-
Zens, to q the charge read, both white
and colored. 1t was long and elaborate,
out distinguished for its ~clearneSs of
style and expression. It was listened to
with profound attention, and was uni
versally commended by the bar for it's
great ability, its fullness and it's fairness.
In these Communications the Counsel for
the prisoners joined. The Indictment
in the case was against ninety-eight
persons, of whom only nine were on trial,
and was predicated on act of Congress,
which the Judge said had been enacted
for the purpose of protecting all citizens
OF the United States in their cOnstitu-
tionaf rights, and which he pronounced
q just and wholesome law, whose bene-
tits extended tGblack and white citizens
alike.
THE OFFENCES CHARGED IN THE IN
DICTMENT
he said, were not political as such Of
fences are generally understood. III this
particular instance the violations of the
law had been toward black citizens only,
but it might become the duty of the
court and jury to pass upon cases in
volying only white men.
His Honor proceeded them to give a
most thorough and searching analysis of
the Indictment, which contained thirty
eight counts, and said it had been claim
ed by the counsel for the defence that
none of the offences charged were Of
fences against the Constitution and laws
of the United States, and on this ground
the jurisdiction of the Federal Court
had been questioned. This, he said,
was not true, but that all the rights of
Tended against, as charged in the indict-
ment, were rights under the COnstitu-
ton and laws of the United States, as
well as under
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE
STATE. 9s'4
He warned the jury not to be misled
into the belief that there was a condi-
ton OF war at Colfax, and said that the
assumption of having acted as a posse
upon the summons of Nash, who claimed
to be sheriff, was untenable; that Nash
did not pretend to be acting under the
authority of judicial or other process.
Judge Woods concluded his charge in
these words: 4
Now, gentlemen, / have gone overthe=
case, and Isay to you in conclusion that
it is a case of importance and magnitude
to the United States, to the people Ofthe
State of Louisiana, aud to the defend
ants. Tt is a case of Importance and
magnitude on both sides. On one side
are involved public law and public order
and the preservation of society; Oh the
other side are involved the lives and
liberties OF these nine defendants. IF
you are not satisfied of the guilt of these
accused, ] trust You viii say so by your
verdict; and they must, gentlemen,
GUILTY OF THE OFFENCE CHARGED
in this Indictment. Although D may
be of the opinion that the mostatrocious
crime was committed by somebody ut
in that affair, when they left on
that Sunday night with their hands red
with the blood ofhelpless prisoners, even
this should not induce you to find a yer
dict againstany of these defendants, un-
less you find them guilty of the precise
crime of which they are charged.
But, gentlemen, if on the other hand
You are satisfied that these men, under
the instructions / have given you, are
or any OF them are guilty, under
any of the counts of this Indictment, /
trust that you will have the courage, and
chat there is enough of tmanhOOd among
You to say so by your verdict, and may
sod help you to render justice.
E.NEA# ~ /