Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-18
The CrtmtnaIRolI.

It will be seen by the Superior Court pro-
eeediDgs yesterday that three criminal cases
were disposed Of and one had been tried and
was in the hands of apetit jury. At this
rate it win not be long ere the jail is clear
ed Of prisoners awaiting trial, and
the county will be relieved OF consid-
cradle expense. The first case tried
Yesterday was that of Harrison VIII
liams, colored, who was indicted for murder.
He was concerned in the riot on the canal,
q short distance from the city, on Sunday,
the LIST Of Nav, when Mr.. Patrick Reagan, a
peaceful citizen, was killed. 1t was estab-
lished that Williams was present with the
crowd of negroes, who were gambling, but
there was not sufficient evidence to connect
him with the actual disturbance which re-
suited In the killing. Williams possesses
a rather repulsive face. and his manner
during his trial on this charge was not cal
culated to impress any one IN his favor.
There is very little doubt that he was pre-
sent in the crowd for no good purpose, but,
as is frequently the case, 1t is impossible to
collect evidence that will have any weight
with jury. The prisoner was defended 6y
NJ. j. O'Connor, who was appointed by the
court, and who made his maiden speech on
the occasion. The jury were absent only
about twenty minutes, and returned YER
dict OF mot guilty" John VII
liams, George Miller and Isaac
Savage, three negroes, who were
arrested on the warrant of the Coroner and
indicted for the same crime, were used as
witnesses. Emanuel Jones, John Smith and
William Graham (slias "Shorty BID were
also in the crowd, and, according to the
testimony, were the only ones who had
pistols and knives, have not been appre-
hended. Graham, otherwise "Shorty Bill"
as has been previously stated, was the negro
who was killed up in Scriven county short
time since. The other two have managed
to keep out of the way, and it is not likely
from the present indications that the muir
der of this citizen will be legally avenged.
Aleek Howard, the cOlored man who was
charged with burglary, plead guilty. and
thus saved the county the expense OF
trial. Aleck, il appears, had been ra1ding
upon the house of Mr.. Geo. G. Wilson, and
the proof against him being very clear, he
thought It best to acknowledge 1t, and In
stead of twenty years In the penitentiary,
through the clemencY of the Judge and the
fact that he had not before been known to be
concerned in such nefarious operations, he
received a sentence Of only five years in the
penitentiary.
Harmon Williams was indicted for bur
glarizing the premises of Mrs. Myers, in the
eastern portion of the city. Mrs. Myers tes-
tilted positively that she caught Harmon In
her house, seized hold Of him, and held
him as she called for help, and only
relinquished her grasp when he struck her.
She identified him, having seen him fire.
quently before, and was absolutely certain
she could make no mistake. Three or four
negroes, however, swore with fervid vehe-
mence that he was with them on the night
Of the robbery, and had not left the room
where they were sleeping. The jury con-
sidered an alibi proven, and in half hour
after consultation returned a verdict Of not
guilty.
John Laney was charged with robbing a
man OF SO IS in some disturbance that &C.
Cured on the Bay. The case was sub
mitted to the jury at o'clock in the after
noon. At half-past six inquiry was made
by the Sheriff as to the probability of agree
ment, when 1t was ascertained there was no
prospect of a verdict. The court took q
recess until 10 O'Clock this morning, and the
jury were made comfortable for the night.