Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-30
NO VERDICT.
A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

l
More Indictments h 'he Grand Ju''-A
Nsr,o Cru,hsd 10 Dea,h-Ches,ern'ld Mat
trs
/ Correspondence OF the Rich mond DISPATCH
PETERSBURG. Jan. 20, 1856.
The Jury in the case Of the negro
George Clarke, the wife-murderer, be-
ing unable to agree on verdict last
night, after the conclusion Of the trial,
were committed to the custody OF the
sergeant. When the court met this
morning at 40 O'Clock the jury were
still unable TO agree. They were again
! locked up in their room, with instruc-
tions from the court to find verdict,
il possible.
The courtroom was packed during the
day. as indeed it was all of yesterday,
and officers had to be stationed at the
doors to keep the anxious crowd out.
At half.past two o'clock this afternoon
the jury came into court and announced
that there was no possibility Of agreeing
on verdict whercupon a juror was
withdrawn and the jury discharged.
1t is understood that the jury stood
four for murder in the first degree, with
its penalty Of hanging, and eight for a
term Of eighteen years in the peniten-
tiary. There were four colored men on
the jury, all of whom, it is stated, were
for hanging the prisoner. 1t is doubt
full whether the case will again be tried
at this term on account of the great
press of business on the docket.
Clarke, the alleged murderer, was
allowed to testify in his own behalf last
night under the new statute. He tried
hard to prove himself as innocent as a
babe. and really the outraged party in
the difficulty which caused the death
of his wife. He said he had been drink
ing; that his wife assaulted him with
the axe and cut him; that he strove to
prevent her from killing him; and that
if she received any injuries it was acct
dentally during the struggle to take the
axe from her; that he did not know
he had hurt her; that when he left the
house he went to the depot, got on
car. and when he awoke he found him.
self in Norfolk, ignorant of how he got
there; and that he was about pur-
chasing ticket to return home when
he was arrested. The jury evidently
did not believe a word Of the prisoners
evidence.
The grand jury reported more indict-
ments to the court to-day, and its in
vestigations have given the court great
deal Of work to do. The jury reported
a true bill against George W. Dunn
and James Evans for assault upon and
robbery of the person Of one E. j.
Williams also two indictments against
George W. Dunn and James Evans for
selling liquor to minors. Indictments
were also made against w. f. Moore
and David Bailey for selling liquor to
minors. The jury also presented the
Petersburg Railroad Company for run
ming its trains through the city at a
greater speed than the law allows.
A fatal accident occurred this after
noon at the Norfolk and Western Rail-
road depot resulting in the instant
death Of James Parker, colored, aged !
twenty-five years. Parker was stand
ing near a fat-car loaded with lumber. /
The poles supporting the lumber sud-
denly broke, and the greater portion Of |
the load fell over on the unfortunate
man, crushing his body in terrible |
manner. The coroner, after investiga-
ting the facts, decided that an inquest |
was unnecessary. Parker recently came !
to this city from Maryland.
The citizens Of Ettrick have petit /
toned the Postmaster-G General for the /
establishment of post-oilice in that |
village. The people there have always /
been getting their mails through the
Office in this city. Hon. George d.
Wise has the matter in hand, and it is
there is good prospect of
the early establishment of post-oiiice
and the appointment Of a postmaster in
the village.
In the case Of Phillips as. S. II.
Marks & Co., a suit for 50, 500 damages
for alleged defamation of character, the
Jury to-day rendered verdict in favor
Of the plaintiff Of one cent damages and
,oSts.
The people of this portion Of Chester
field county are reported to be very
indignant at the bill recently introduced
by one of the county members relative