Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-12-22
,on victed in Baltimore Of Forgery

The Baltimore .sDay," of Friday even
ing last, has the following account of
the conviction of young Laird, of Staun-
ton, in the Circuit Court of that city that
morning:
James E Laird, a young man of good
address, neatly attired and or oecldediy
prepossessing manners, was placed at the
bar of the Criminal Court to-day, charged
with the forgery of two checks, one for
S75 and the other for $3.50. Both we're
drawn on the Augusta National Bank OF
Staunton. Va. The name of G. G. Gooch
was forged to the first piece of paper. and
| hat OF N. Wayt & Bro. to the second.
| John p. Shriner, proprietor Of harness
store on West Baltimore street, near Eu-
tHw. testified that Laird came INTO his
store and bought a saddle. bride, &C.. the
bill for which amounted to S3o.5u, and IL
payment offered "a check for $50.
MIR Cans, the deputy States attorney,
here requested Mr. Shriner to identity the
check MIR. w. s. Bryan, Jr., counsel for
the defense, objected on the ground that
the indictu ent charged his cilanG With
forging a bill of exchange and he objected
to the introduction of any cheek III the
case. The Judge decided the point not
we'll taken. Mr.. Bryan asked PERMISSION
for the prisoner to withdraw his pra OF
not guilty, and he would demur to the IA
dictments. Permission was granted -
Laird withdrew his plea and M. Hryr
entered demurrers and argued them brief
ly. They were oyerruled by Judge Phelps
according to the law as laid down by tie
Court of Appeals in the case OF Haw-
thoine VS.. the State-Md Reports. vol
lvi-viz: that check dr. wn on bank is
bill of exchange. The prisoner was
then rearraigned aud pleaded Not Guilty.
Mr.. Shriner then identified the check.
Peter Il. Pollard. the Well-knOwn pro
prietor Of livery stable on South Fred
erck street, testified that Laird bought a
horse from him and gave him the $3.50
check. He started after Laird with de-
tective Greentree; followed him through
Frederick, and au Burkettsville be was ar
rested.
w. P. Tams, cashier of the Augusta
National Bank, testified that Mr. G. =.
Gooch was grocer in Staunton and di-
rector of the bank; is familiar with his
writing. and the note purporting to he
signed 10y Mr.. G0och was shown witness,
who pronounced 1t o forgery. The wit
ness was also shown his alleged signature
certifying to the check. He said that it
was a forgery, as he never certified checks
on account of the casa with which tlleV
were raised. He also pronounced the 9th |
er check a forgery. The witness said he
was sorry to see the prisoner at the bar, as
he knew bis grandfather. his father and
other members of MS family, and had new
er known one of them to do wrong be-
fore.
Detective Greentree testified as to the |
pursuit of Laird through Elllcott City, !
Frederick and other places, and his cap |
ture at Burkettsvile by constable just |
before they arrived. The prisoner told |
him he had bought tue check at Staunton |
that he had given to Mr.. Pollard. The |
witness asked the prisoner if he had not |
forged it. Here the prisoner was put on |
the stand to testify whether or not the de- |
tective had made any promises or threats
to him. He said that the detective told |
him he would make it easy for him if he
would confess his guilt.
Mr.. Bryan wanted to show that the wit
ness is very weak and confding, by evil
dence that he loaned a man in jail his hat,
and sent his valise by an unknown man to
the Eutaw House.
Judge Phelps ruled the evidence out.
Directive Greentree, resuming. denied |
having said he would make matters easy
for Laird if he confessed and testified that
the prisoner acknowledged to his having
forged the S250 check The case was then
argued by Mr. Cans for the state and MIR.
Bryan for the prisoner.
The court adjudged him guilty on the
'econd count of the Shriner case, and he
was remanded for sentence.
The law of Maryland fixes the penalty
If this crime at not less than five years in
The penitentiary. A new trial has been
applied for and z. A. Baylor. Esq, is TAX
ng dispositions in this city to show that
7oung Laird has not been in his right
mind for some time, an opinion entertain
ID by many who knew him well, and who
lave so testified.