Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-15
PErERuBURG COUPON CAsEA
verdict Of the Jury in the Booth Case
set Aside.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispstch.l
p,rrrVcpr-pcf March If 1893

correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, March II, 1883.
The Circuit Court Of Petersburg con-
vcned at II A. ~, and, after the reading
of the proceedings Of Monday, the Court
took d recess until II NJ. At that hour
Judge Hancock went upon the bench
and proceeded TO deliver his opinion IN
the case Of the Commonwealth rs. Booth,
upon the motion OF the attorney for the
Commonwealth to be allowed to with
draw his motion for a new trial in that
case, made on Friday last. Much in
terest WAS felt and many cOnIectures
made rs to what the decision would be.
The members of the bar and good
number Of other persons were present III
court during the delivery Of the opinion.
The verdict of the jury was for the de-
PENDANT. Judge Hancock admitted the
right Of the Commonwealth attorney TO
withdraw his motion, but decided that
the verdict must be set aside.
Immediately after the delivery Of
the opinion Messrs Royal and Hamil-
ton excepted to the ruling Of the Court
in setting aside the verdict, and bill OF
exceptions will be prepared.
Tho case OF the Commonwealth as.
Griswold was next called. In tins case
Judge Hancock allowed the defendant to
file the plea, q copy Of which was pub
Gshed in Tuesdays Dispatch. 4 jury
was sworn, and the coupon rendered with
the plea. as well as this bond Of
the Commonwealth from which it was
detached. were exhibited to the jury, and
also testimony showing conclusiyely that
the coupon had been cut from the bond.
Their was also ample proof az to the
genuineuess OF the bond itself. The
Jury, after remaining in their room for
ten minutes, returned with "a verdict that
the coupon rendered WAS genuine and
cut from a duly-issued bond of the State
Of Virginia. la this case the taxes due
the Commonwealth were $3.50, and by
the plea which the defendant rendered
he paid into court SlL39 in money and
one coupon for $3.50
In the discussion about the evidence
necessary to prove the genuineness OF
the bond the counsel for MIR. Griswold
commended:
lst. That the seal of the Common
wealth Of itself proved the bond, and
that the Court was bound to take judicial
notice thereof
"a. That there was no necessity to
prove the bond unless the signature OF
the Auditor and Treasurer were denied
on oath.
The Court ruled that the seal of the
State did not prove the bond, and that
the statute dispensing with the proof of
the handwriting of the signers OF the
bond. except in cases where it was de-
MED under oath, did not apply TO the
State.
Mr.. W. l.. Royal was then sworn and
went on the stand and testified that he
was well acquainted with the hand
writing Of General Asa Rogers and OF
Mr.. Il. VI. I. Hunter; that he had seen
them both write, and that the signatures
to the bond were in their own hand
writing.
This evening another case was called
up for argument. The court will adj
journ until Friday in order that the
Hastings Court may occupy the court
room tomorrow.
Judge Hancock's term in Dinwiddie
begins next Wednesday.
Mr.. Alexander Wilson, prominent
has gone TO Florida for his
health. His condition has been delicate
for some time. ROBIN ADAIR.