Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-31
AN EXCITED COURT.
4 rERRrBIE SCENE THEREIN.
t.s,.ep, sae Raselar. Attempts 20 XIII
.a...,. s....r..s AttoraeN.

tst..ep, ,ae Raseiar. Attempts 10 KEN
wa,se'. p,s,r,es Aueraey.
A Lyons, N. ", special says The
most exciting scene ever witnessed IN
courtroom in this region occurred in
the Wayne County Circuit Court this
afternoon. Judge William Rumsey
was upon the bench. The trial of
John johnson, Of New York. who was
arrested in this vicinity few weeks
ago for numerous bold burglaries, after
attempting to kill his captors, had
been in progress all day and was
nearing its end. There was in
tense interest in the case, and
every seat in the courtroom was occu-
pied, while scores Of people stood IN
the aisles for hours, and the galleries
were filed with women Of all grades OF
society. Johnson was few days ago
indicted on twelve different counts, and
il was agreed to try him on the most
important one FIRST. That was assault
with intent TO kill upon police officer
in Newark. johnson was angered when
he heard OF il, and vowed he would do
ANYTHING, no matter how desperate,
TO escape punishment on that charge.
The sheriff and jailer, fearing him,
guarded him very closely.
At 5 o'clock this afternoon the tes-
timony was all in, and it was seen
that he would surely be convicted.
District Attorney Hoag was concluding
his address for the prosecution and
the great audience was still with
breathless interest. at has been shown
beyond doubt" said the District At
torney, that the prisoner at the bar
intended to commit murder" In
stantly. and before any one was aware
of il. Johnston had leaped from the
prisoners box and was within
few feet Of the District Attorney,
swearing that he would kill him.
The prisoners guards were up at
once, but they were too late. The Judge
ran to one side Of the courtroom. The
District Attorney and stenographer, in
fear and trembling, ran behind the wit
ness.stand. The clerk took refuge be-
hind huge desk, and the jury scat
tered. Women in the gallery screamed
and gasped, expecting to see murder
committed before their eyes, while
many burst through the doors and
dashed down the stairs. johnson seized
hold Of a chair and was about to raise
il 10 dash at the District Attorney, when
County-Judge Collins caught hold of
him from the bar, and others
held him in check. johnson is
a powerful fellow, and in a moment
had pushed them aside, when the guards
were upon him. The excitement be-
came even more intense. and louder
screams filled the air. Two women
tainted. Kill him .'' " Shoot him -
.'Let me knock his brains out "
Lynch the rascal" were shouted by
scores Of excited men. while the guards
fought desperately with the prisoner.
James Hutchings was knocked down,
while two others had their faces and
scalps cut and bruised, before johnson
was overpowered. Then he was ham
mered into submission with steel hand
cuffs until his face was a bleeding
mass. Blood flowed freely and dropped
upon the carpet. All this time the excite
ment continued at the highest pitch,
and johnson continued volley of pro-
family, vulgarity, and VOWS Of yenge-
ance. He was finally thrown to the
floor, hanGcufed, and thrown back
INTO the prisoners box, while the Judge
and the constables spent some time in
calming the audience. The District
Attorney did not resume his address,
but the Judge addressed the jury,
and they almost Immediately found
the prisoner guilty. He was brought
into court, still bleeding from his
wounds and much exhausted. lie
was given the full penalty Of the law
ten years in Auburn prison. The Judge
said il would be farce to try johnson
upon any more indictments at this term
OF court after the scene Of to-day,
which was the worst he had ever wit
messed in courtroom. Johnson is re-
garded here as the most desperate fell
low ever confined in the county Jail.
He would certainly have murdered the
District Attorney to-day if he had not
been caught in time.