Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-05
THE RICHMOND JAIL.
INQUIRY 40 TO TIE ESCAPE OF Riley
AND MOyTA THgRE7R0M.
The Whole Subject Investigated and Re-
ported Upon by the Hustings
Court Grand Jury.

Yesterday morning NJ 10 O'Clock the
grsud Jury OF the Hastings Court, aceompa-
MED by Judge Atkins aud Commonwealth's-
Attorney spotswood, assembled st the city
jnl and made thorough examination Of the
premises.
on Tbs ROOF.
Judge Atkins. IN company with one OF the
grand Jurors and Deputy-sergeant Burgess,
went out on the roof OF the jail building and
viewed the route by which Riley aud Monta
escaped from the prison.
AT TUE COURTHOUSE.
Alter looking through the prison the grand
jury proceeded 10 the City Hall, where they
were engaged until 2 O'Clock In the exami-
nation OF witnesses with regard 10 the two
last escapes. Messrs. Burgess. Hall, kerse,
and RosendOri, the jail officials, and Crawey.
Hamilton, Richardson, Kelley, and Godsey
(white), and Jackson and Nelson (colOred),
prisoners, were summoned aud appeared be-
fore tae jury.
REPORT.
At the conclusion Of the evidence the grand
jury, through Mr.. Thomas Potts, foreman,
made tue following report TO the Court:
To Hon. 4. 5. Atkins Judge OF the Hastings
Court:
Your grand Jury. after fully looking into
the cause OF the escape OF the two prisoners,
Riloy and Nonta, November "a. 1883, from
the city iail, are OF the opinion that the said
prisoners were not iocled up the night Of the
escape. and that Deputy NJ. j. Rosehdorf
failed In performing his duty. in tnat the said
prisoners were not locked I'D. as the cells
we're found locked by the officers after the
alarm was given. The duty assumed by Mr..
ROsendOri in locking up the prisoners was
new to him, aud, in the excitement OF the
moment, failed TO make az full and searching
an examination Of the iail-yard as II was bis
duty to do; but we are satisfied said deputy
did not willingly aid the escape.
We are also satisfied that the rules and re-
gulstions OF the jail are not carried out by
the officers Of the city jail, sc.
Respectfully submitted.
THOMAS PoTTs,
Foreman Grand jury Hastings Court.
WHAT NOW?
Commonwealth Attorney Spotswood was
asked by a Dispatch reporter what action
will now be taken by the Court in regard to
the matter 10 which question he replied
that be bad not had time TO examine the re-
port Of The grand jury, but that he and Judge
Atkins will give it careful consideration
and then determine what course to pursue.
LETTER TO Mr.. ROsENDORF.
As soon az the grand jury presented their
report to the Court City sergeant K. A. Car
ter sent Dir. VI. j. Rosendorf note stating
that inssmuch as the grand jury had report
ed tha, the prisoners Riley and Monta es-
ciped from the iail on account OF bis (ROsen-
dorf' 81 neglect 10 lock them up he felt II to be
nis duty to discharge him (RosendOri) from
service as Deputy Sergeant OF the city OF
Richmond.
TIE LAW.
Section 1853 OF the Code OF 1877 leads as
follows:
II any iailer or other officer negligcntly
suffer person convicted OF or CHARGED
with felony, or voluntarily or negligentlY
suffer person convicted Of or charged with
an offence not a felony 10 escape from his Gus.
tooy, or wlliuily refuse 10 receive into bis
custody any person lawfully committed
thereto. be shal be confined in Jail not eX,
ceeding six months or be fned not less than
$50 nor more than $780,"
TIIE GRAND JURY.
The grand Jury serving at this term Of the
Hastings Court was composed Of the follow
ing gentlemen Thomas Potts ioremsnl
Julius Ide, W. j. Henning, George W.
Donley. r. A. Lacy, William II. Pierce,
James Allen (colored). Lawrence LOttIer,
Frederick c. Brauer, and John A. Dudley.