Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-25
CITY AND SUBURBAN.
SOMETHING ABoUr SMITH.
Case Called 10 the ausinc, Court-PIea Of
"Net Guilrs- Entered.


Case Called iu the aussinc, Court-PIea Of
"Ses GuIIrs- Entered.
Yesterday morning at l0:45 o'clock
W. r. Smith was brought into the
Hastings Courtroom under charge Of
Deputy-Sergeant Allen. He was charged
with feloniously stealing money belong
ing to the State of Virginia while he
was clerk in the office of the Auditor
Of Public Accounts. Deputy-Sergcant
Allen pointed out seat and Smith
walked around and sat down within the
bar. He has been in Jail for five
months, but his confinement seems to
have agreed with him. He does not
appear so rotund, but looks remarkably
well. He was closely shaved, except
moustache, and when he took his seat
did not appear at all agitated.
Shortly after he came in Judge
Crump, his counsel, appeared at the
door Of the courtroom, scrutiniEed the
persons present, and, seeing his client,
went over and joined him. Major j.
II. Dinneen, Of counsel for defence, sat
on one side of Smith, while Judge
Crump was on the other.
Mr.. Samuel b. Witt came in shortly
after Judge Crump, and as he advanced
to his seat he saluted Smith by saying,
Good morning, Mr.. Smith" The
latter bowed slightly, but if he spoke
at all it was IN so low voice as not to
be heard in the immediate locality of
Mr.. Witt.
"Clerk, call the roll of the renire
fdeids." said Judge Atkins.
Clerk w. p. Lawton proceeded to do
so, and twenty-eight veniremen an
swered to their names.
"Gentlemen, are you ready to go on
with the case?" asked Judge Atkins.
% / am,'' said Mr.. Witt.
Then Major Dinneen and Judge
Crump put their heads together, and af-
ter a brief consultation Judge Crump
said, ~ would like to see the renire
fGcids."
1t was handed him, and after closely
scanning it he announced that he was
ready for the defence.
William r. Smith, stand up" said
Clerk Lawton, and the prisoner arose
and faced the clerk, standing with his
left hand on the circular desk that forms
the bar.
Clerk Lawton read the indictment
found against Smith by the grand jury
in the case known as the Brownell case,
in which the sum Of sl4S turned in by
Mr.. Brownell as keeper of the cattle
scales was receipted for by Smith but
never turned into the State treasury.
What say you, are you guilty or
not guilty" asked the clerk.
/" Not guilty" said Smith, in COL
lected tone of voice.
The renire was sworn singly and
placed on the stand to answer the ques-
tions of the Court.
The first one was Mr.. FGrcron, who,
answering to the satisfaction of the Court
and counsel all questions, was ordered
to take his seat in the jury-box. The
list being exhausted, it was found that
only three jurors had been secured.
The Court ordered that a tales be is
sued, returnable forthwith, from jurors
already summoned for this term Of the
court.
This was done, and three additional
Jurors were secured.
Then Mr.. Furcron took the stand to
say that upon reflection he had come to
the conclusion that he had formed a
sufficient opinion in a general way to
prejudice his mind, and at his request
he was excused.
The Court then ordered that tales
Of fifty men be summoned, returnable
to-day at IL o'clock A. NJ.
The witnesses for the Commonwealth
were recognized to appear next Monday
at IL o'clock, and the court then adj
journed.
After the court adjourned counsel
for the defence lighted cigars and en-
joyed quiet talk with their client.