The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-01

RICKSBURG.
The Hastings Court resumed the con-
sideration Of the Poindcxter case yesterday
morning. the question being upon motion
of the defence to set aside the verdict be-
cause OF various rulings OF the Court to
which they excepted; because the verdict
is contrary to the law and evidence, and for
the further reasons that Mr.. Doggett had
expressed a decided opinion against the
prisoner beiore be was sworn, and Messrs.
Woody and Peyton, other jurors, had not
paid the capitation tax for 1873.
MR.. DoGGETT IN COURT.
Mfr. Doggett and Mr.. Chancellor and
other Fredericksburg gentlemen arrived
here by the 1885 A. vi train. Mr.. Doggett
came into the courtroom (after brief con-
yersation with the Commonwealth Attor-
new and shook bands with those he knew.
He approached the prisoner and extended
his hand 10 him too. Mr. Poindeyter took
it, but certainly not with the cordiality that
usually marks the meetings and greetings
OF old schoo-fellows.
MENDING THEIR HOLD.
Counselfo defence submitted certificate
from the treas urer OF Fredericksburg lin
addition to the one previously furnished
from the SergeanO that Mcssrs. Peyton and
Woody had not paid their capitation tax for
1873.
1t was announced that by an error as to
names Mr.. Cole, one OF the witnesses for
defence, was not summoned.
Defence also filed all affidavit from the
Auditor that r. S. Windsor (of Alexan-
dral, another Juror. had not paid his capi-
tation fax for 1877. There is question
whether the tax for 1873 or 1871 is required.
Defence have covered both points.
Letters from M~Ssrs. Woody and Peyton
were submitted by the CONFERENCE.-The
Attorney showing how they had omitted to
pay the capitaion tax.
Statement of sr. DoSEett.
Mr.. Doggcit was sworn and put upon the
Witness-stand.
The affidavit of George f. Chancellor,
stating that MIR. Doggett had. prior to the
second trial, expressed to him (Chancclor)
and others an emphatic and decided opin-
ion against prisoner, and that lie (DoggetD
had said that he did not see how any jury
could do otherwise than convict, DC, was
read to him.
Mr.. Doggett said Well, was summoned
by Mr.. Lee last Saturday week to appear
here in Richmond for the trial OF John E..
PoindeXter.
WE CAME DOWN HERE
Monday. We were subjected to certain
questions. l answered those questions con-
scientiousIv and correctly, without any bias
or prejudice for or against the prisoner Or
ANYBODY else. We listened to the evidence
and law, and came to averdict.
After being discharged | heard it rumored
that one OF the jurors from Fredericksburg
had expressed an opinion unfavorable to
the prisoner. l heard that here on the
streets of Richmond, and couldn't imagine
who it alluded to. thought no more Of
it. and went Saturday morning by the
train over to Petersburg. While in Peters
burg Saturday got letter from my bro
ther, and also
LITTLE SLIP
that had been printed in the Fredericksburg
Star stating that Juror had expressed an
adverse opinion. That was in the letter,
and stated that the report in town had been
started bv George Chancellor. The lttter
said. by the way, that it was probably done
to iniure me. Immediately sat down and
wrote back that I was not aware OF having
expressed an opinion TO any one.
also stated in that letter that would be
in Fredericksburg. and would see about it.
or attend TO it, or something OF that kind.
An day Saturday | endeavored TO
TAN MY MEMORY
to find out whether had ever expressed
my opinion in George Chancellor's hearing,
| or anywhere, to any one. or had made any
remarks to any ore. 1t was perfectly OBJ
| lvious to my memory, any remark or en-
pressons Of the kind.
l then remembered that I had been in
| George ChanceilOr'S, and that by some
means OF other the conversation sprung up
or something was said about cowhiding.
George Chancellor stated that he would
shoot any one that cowhded him. l stated
| to him that it was my impression that the
| law did not justify any one in taking the
| life OF an opponent before retreating to the
wall.
Something was said, "suppose there is
BACK DOOR"
! said "Yes, he must get out Of the back
door before he kills his opponent"
| But had no alusion to any special case,
and do not remember that Mr.. PoindeXter's
name was called. / paid so little attention
| to that conversation that it never would
have entered my mind that such conycrsa-
ton had occurred unless my brother had
written. l could not remember that had
ever had a conversation with Mr.. Chancel-
lor until lying in led that night.
| In answer to questions Of Common
weulth's Attorney: 1t wasn't my own idea
| | expressed; it was my idea of the law. To
have expressed such IN opinion in this case
before heard the law and evidence would
| have been contrary to all my feelings.
had always had the very highest opinion
and kindest feelings for MIR. PolndcXter.
At the time OF my conversation With Mr.
Chancellor | had
NOT READ THE EVIDENCE
touching this case. / had not read the evil
drncc when examined upon my COR are IN
this case. will state, though, What had
read had read disconnected statements
in the newspapers, the substance or whlch
can't now recolect and could net rec"l-
lsct when examined upon my U0r are ;
and when so examined had formed no de-
cided opinion-most positively not. l had
no opinion. AS | stated, my impressions
were favorable to the prisoner.
10 DIR. Young: No, didn't state on my
roir dire that my impressions were fayora-
BILE to the prisoner; l say it now. said
then I might have had an impression, but
no fixed opinion. Yes, sir; you do under
stand Alright, that I never expressed any
decided opinion to Mr. Chancellor. Inever
said that the prisoner ought to'be punished
severely; could never have said it. I did
not say could not see how any jury could
heIp conyicting him. Yes, sir; may have
SAID that | had expressed an impression.
Did not express any to Mr.. Chancellor.