Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-01-28
JoHNsox,s rRrAL.


The Accused Murderer of John
sharpicss 10 bo Tried March Iet.
johnson, the suspected murderer Of
Farmer Sharpless, now confined in the
Delaware county jail at Media, Pa, will
be arraigned before Judge Clayton on
Match lat.
The commonwealth will rely on Pritoh-
ard, the colored man, who INSERTS that
johnson confessed to him, Mollie Stevens,
Carrie Lane and the other witnesses, who
can contradict the statements already
made by the prisoner regarding his
whereabouts on the day of the murder.
John X. Robinson,a member of the legis-
lature, and James Il. Cummins have
taken the defence in hand, because they
believe that johnson is innocent. 1t is
understood that the defence will be au
attempt to establish an alibi. 1t is also
probable that the credibility of the wit
nesses for the prosecution will be attacked
aud an explanation given of certain
points in their evidence which are
strongest against the prisoner. District
Attorney Baker said Sunday:
''We have no officers here to work on
the case and all that is being done is by
Lieutenant Roche and Special Officer
Alexander. We shall do very little in the
way of getting the evidence in shape
until after February LIST. At present
decline to express myself on the merits
of the case. In that respect have been
misrepresented. have never expressed
myself, directly or indirectly, as to my
belief regarding the guilt or innocence of
the prisoner. II has been stated that
believed the prisoner innocent. In my
position as district attorney could make
no such statement.
On the question of his quarrel with
Farmer Sharpless we have secured further
evidence. We will be able to show that
at that time Farmer Lindsay was eau
toned against keeping such a person
about him by one Of the Sharpless
family; but johnson settled the matter
by leaving before they had time to put
him away. The nature of Pritchard's
statement had considerable effect on my
mind. On the whole, the evidence
| against johnson is so strong that his
innocence or guilt can only be determined
by trial in proper form. Mrs. Sharpless
has not yet seen johnson, and do not
know whether she will be asked to
identify him until the trial comes of. /"
"What would be the effect of II positive
affirmation by her that lie is not the
murderer"
swell, | suppose the case would
he began and then breaking off, said
Yet i don't know but that still NIGH
be disposed 10 go on with the case"
LAWYER Cummins is young man il
whose hands evidently the prisoner
interests will suffer nothing. He said;
Il was very we'll acquainted with Mr.
Sharpless, and my relations with the un
fortunate gentleman were such that, die
doubt for a moment the innocence o
johnson, or conceive that he could be il
any manner implicated in the murder,
would have nothing to do with the case
The commonwealth will undoubtedly b.
able to prove that the man stole chicken
and possibly ribbed Lewis house, bu
they will not be able to do more thai
that We will be able to show the ami
mus of Mollie Stevens, as she call
herself now. When johnson got out q
Jail and found her living with Stevens h
declared he would never have anythin
more to do with her. She endeavored 1
coax him back TO live with her, but he II
fused to go, and she threatened to poiso
ulius III llhNluS III uiAbA VIC WAAi ihc'
with one difficulty The witnesses III
people who carry on business Illegal,
such as selling liquor on Sunday, an
when placed on the stand they may den
everything so as not to bring themselv'
within the meshes of the law. can So
no more on the line of defence now.
johnson is perfectly happy in Med
, prison. He eats and sleeps WELL and Il
/ warden says he is very well behaved. /
evidently enjoys being housed and +,
, during the winter without the necessity
working. There is strong sentiment
, his favor among the colored people of i
e county. They believe that it was not
Q colored man who committed the murdt
. 1t will be nearly impossible to secure
wholly white jury, and the presence
two or three men of his own race in I
jury-Lox will be greatly in favor of
= prisoner.