The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-02
BURLESQUE ON JUSTICE.
GEN. TURNER DRUNK AND THE
COURT In CONFUSION.
Djsgraceful Scenes During the Trial
Of Emma NOrment-JOhn Pow
ePs Danning statement.

The Criminal Courtroom was
crowded yesterday morning, a
majority OF those on the outside
Of the rail being negfues, and the
4 ench was er bile. Judge Doug
lass was on the bench, surrounded by
lalies who have taken this method
cf showing their sympathy for the
D tisoner, while the space IN front OF
the Judges stand was pretty well
crowded with deputy shenhs, attoy-
news and others. The scene was, al.
together, a novel one, the like OF
which WIS probably never before seen
in a cont OF justice. The first wit
ness examined after the court was
called to order was Henry Parks,
a boy shout fourteen years OF
age, called by the defense.
Alter a few questions he was turned
over to the Attorney General for cross
northumberland here ensued a scene
that was disgrsc to the CO immunity.
The Attorney General, sevidently
under the influence of liquor, COM
menced on the by, ell ernately bully
ing and csj bling the witness, and in
dulging in low Wit at the expense OF
the defenseless witness, which MSS
KEPT ND for some time without inter
ruption by the Judge. After bully
raging the boy until it became mo-
notonous, he was di charged to give
place to muscular six-footer nam d
Hoaa, who remained on the stand
until the dinner recess. During the
proceedings Attorney Nat Taylor,
frequently interrupted witnesses and
attorneys, and almost had a fight
with the witness Hoag in the
courtroom. The proceedings, taken
as whole, were the most dis
graceful ever witnessed in Memphis.
A woman was on trial for her life, and
the case was treated as Zig joke, 8
burlesaue on Justice. As one of tnt
attaches of the court remarked: ut II
fearful. Everybody is drunk excep
the Judge, and he might as we'll be
as he INIT keeping order, anyway
and the thing seems to be running 1t
self,"
DEPUTY SHERIFF powell DIsGUsTED.
Deputy-Sheriff John Powell left tn
court in disgust. He was seen in thu
rotunda shortly afte,wa d and asker
for an explanation Of his course. IN
man can keep order in that court, 3
YOU know, without the lacking OF III
Judge" he began. "Just before thi
trial began went to Judge Douglas
and told him that as it was likely t
be sensational there was certain to b
a big crowd, and if something was nc
done 10 prevent il the business OF tn
court would be obstTucted. He sal
any citizen of the county ad a rist
to be present. / asked him what b
would do il 10000 people applied, br
he made the same general answe
The first day, though / ccud nj
keep the crowd out, there was ne
any very boistious or outlageoi
T conduct, but the. business OF the cou
5 was impeded as l knew ii would b
j.; The Jurors summoned could not reat
the bar on account OF the jam witho,
great difficulty, the air was sickenir
- and people did pretty much as th'
: pleased. This morning tried to ke'
i them out OF the bar but they got
. somehow and / was powerless witho
the Judge to assist me. ltwas uselt
a [ call on him. A man who stands
o in the courtroom while r al is 9
y ing on, who encroaches upon 1
; clerks desk, behind his railing, jal
e up to the jury box, climbs
,r the bench it:elf, should be flint
s. or sent 10 Jail for contempt OF cou
They dared tot do it in the past. I
n Acknowledgement and one OF
IL other lawyers for the State had go
many drinks too much if appesran'
~ go for anything. They were contiI
s, ally intelrupting the business OF
court, and nothing | said to tn
. made any difference. One Of the Ia
y yers got up to speak, and Gen. Turl
acted in such way as to disturb hi
l told him 10 keep quiet, and inst'
Of Of sustaining me Judge Douglass q
w he thought l had better retire. |
on my hat aud left, and / will ne
put my foOI in that count again
: long as Judge Douglas roosts on
no bench"
. A number of country people v
have visited tho Courthouse dur
- the trial Condemn it in the stroni
terms. No decent member OF
: bar enters its full atmosphere exc
under the strongest pressure, and
= epectable outsiders all hold Il
pst noses when they are obliged to G.
Hg the threshold. So much for the sc'
,ur Now for the farce.