The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-12-09
W. b. PHILLIPS, THE MURDERER.

W. B. PHILLIPS, THE MURDERER.
We learn from the New Orleans
evening Picayune of Wednesday last,
that the notorious W. b. Phillips
was overhauled in that city on the
Tuesday previous, virtue of q war
rant eminating from one. Of the COM
hitting Courts of Orleans Parish,
based upon tie charge of being ac-
cessory before the fact to the murder
of Mr.. Needham Waters, of Grant
Parish, on or about the middle of
November last. tk
The circumstances attending the
arrest and subsequent murder of Mr..
Waters, indicate beyond a reasonable
doubt that Phillips planned and pro-
cured this hideous crime. A letter
from Phillips himself can be pro-
duced, as we are reliably informed,
going to show that the arrest was in
stigated by him without provocation,
but purely for the purpose Of extort
ing money from Mr.. Waters or his
friends, in the way of compensation
for his release. This fact is fully
corroborated by the propositions
made by Phillips to have the priso-
ner released for the consideration Of
$500. The money was forthcoming,
and was counted and handed to Mr..
Waters in the presence Of Phillips
and Sergeant johnson, as we learn,
to be used in buying back the liberty
Of this prosecuted citizen. On the
night of the day the money was ready
Mr.. Waters disappeared. His body
was found few days afterward, float
ing in the river within the boundary
of this Parish. The Coroner of Ra-
pides held an inquest, at which the
remains were identified as those of
Needham Waters. "''.'.
i "A knowledge of these facts being
furnished to our District Attorney
pro tenn, he promptly made the pro-
per affidavit, charging w, B. Phillips
with being accessory before the fact
to the murder Of MI. Waters, and
caused a warrant to be placed in the
hands of constable Marye, who was
sent to New Orleans to arrest the &C
cused. It seems that by some i'm
proper advise Of Attorneys in New
Orleans a new affidavit was made,
and Phillips was arrested and taken
before one of the committing courts
of the city and Was released GU q
bond of $4,000 to appear for trial.
This proceeding was importune fol
the ends of justice, as we'll as errone.
: Gus in point Of law. The Revised
Statutes of Louisiana amply author.
ize the execution of a writ of arrest
for criminals in any Parish Of the
} State when they fee from Justice
Phillips should therefore have been
: brought to this Parish for examina.
ton. Furthermore the Parish of Or.
leans has no Jurisdiction to try the
case, as the offence is alleged to have
been committed in Rapides., As a
new warrant, however, was issued in
Orleans Parish, the preliminary ex.
animation could of course have been
made there, but the accused should
have been held in custody as the Law
requires, where probable guilt is
shown, until the authorities could
transfer him for trial to the Parish
in which the offence is alleged tx
2 have been committed. The commit
ting court erred in not doing this
since sufficient probability of guilt
was shown to necessitate an appear
ance bond. We had hoped, We still
: hope, that this notorious scamp viii
> meet the measure Of Justice that biz
l. crimes call for, and we trust that tn,
? vigilance and energy Of our Distric
Attorney pro tenn. will yet bring
about his trial and punishment
. Such men as Phillips should b.
| taught that it is sometimes unheal
i thy to be too bold in their villainies
) and that occasionally, at least, a ca
reer of crime may be checked by tn
! authority Of law.
e. 90 We have thus far uninten
: tionally omitted to mention the re
moval of the Post Office to new quar-
ters. Better late, however, tina
: never, and we now make up for tn
}, neglect in stating that it rs now eli
$ gibly situated, on Murray Stree,
\ two doors from Front, in Levin
0 brick row. As everybody has bust
| .