Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-25
PETERSBURG.
ABRUPT TERMINATION OF An rkPoR-
TANT TRIAL.
How IL Was Brought About--visitofs South
Boston committes-Arrsss ola
Supposed Criminal.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.I

TCorrespondence Of the Richmond DisDatch.l
JANUARY "A, 1888.
The trial of Walter Jones, indicted Tor
felony in having committed tiendlsh
Outrage on the person of Fannie DAVIS,
/ colored girl, was brought to nn abrupt
aud unexpected termination in the Hust-
+ ings Court this morning. After the jury
/ had retired to allow counsel to argue
/ questions OF law relative to certain EVIL
dence which had been introduced, and
after the argument had been concluded,
/ the Attorney for the Commonwealth
arose and stated that since the argument
on the matter in question he had learned
| that the jury, in charge of deputy ser
geants, had gone to the premises OF Fan
Die Davis, IN Blandford, to view the
scene of the alleged crime without
taking the prisoner with them; ana
! that verdict OF conviction under
such circumstances would amount TO
nothing Thereupon the counsel for the
prisoner Judge L. ii. Jones d SOM
stated that they were Informed OK TINS
fact this morning, within twenty min
utes after the visit Of the jury, aud that
| they had determined 10 take advantage
thereof had the jury bro lght in a YER
/ Dict of conviction. Counsel for the
prisoner further stated that the mis-
behavior OF some OF the jury was such
in the presence Of the Court yesterday
as to Justify the dismissal of the jury
and To grant new trial-tO wit, that one
/ or more of them had remarked IN the
| hearing of the prisoner and OF his coun-
sci that they could dispose OF the case
| in five minutes If they were allowed to
retire, and that, too, when the prisoner
had not introduced his principal wit
nesses, nor had the Court given the jury
a particle of instruction as to the law TO
GUIDE them in their decision. The prl-
soner's counsel thereupon moved the
Court to withdraw juror and continue
the further trial Of the case The Court
granted the motion, and stated that had
there been a conviction under the facts
stated it would have set the verdict aside
upon both of the grounds above men
toned. The case Will now go over to
the next regular term of the court IN
April, unless the Judge should see fit to
hold special term, about toe legality OF
which there are some doubts.
Major e. W. Evans, w. ID. Barbour,
and K. w. Lawson, Of South Boston, a
committee appointed to visit the differ
ent cities of Virginia aud ascertain the
cost of electric lights and how the
people of the several communities ike
them. arrived in Petersburg yesterday
and spent last night in town. They
were shown the plant here, were taken
all over the city, and handsomely enter
tanned by the COUNCIL Committee on
Gas and Lights, AMI expressed them
selves as much pleased. The visiting
committee have also visited Richmond,
Norfolk, and other communities III
which the electric lights are used.
The police day or two ago arrested a
negro answering the description Of John
Darlington, who is wanted at Burkeyille
on the charge of rape, and whose victim,
it is learned, has since died. The prisoner
gives his name ns Hicks, and denies all
knowledge of the crime imputed TO him.
! He is held in Jail to await identification
by the Burkeville authorities.
| Letters are being daily received here
by the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton from delegates who intend attend
ing the annual convention of the Nir-
glnia associations in this city early next
month. 1t is learned that fully tw) hun
dred delegates are expected to attend the
meeting. besides q number of distin-
guished gentlemen engaged in associa-
ton work outside of the State. \ fea-
ture of the occasion, which is looked for
ward to with q great deal of interest, is
the address promised by Bishop Ran
dolph
Judge Hinton, of the Supreme Court
OF Appeals, having granted a writ of
suDcrsedcds in the case OF Randall Wat
son, sentenced to be hung at Hicksford
on the 9th instant for the murder of
Joe Robinson, of course suspends the
execution OF the sentence. Whether or
not the court, when it reviews the case,
will reverse the decision of the Circuit
Court Of the county and grant new trial
/ is another question.
The A. p. Hill Camp of Confederate
/ Veterans, of this city, now number over
two hundred and fifty members, and the
number is constantly increasing. 1t will
probably run up to three hundred.
ROBIN ADAIR.