The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-02-16
Report of the Grand Jury.

To the Honorable James E. Mouton Judge Of
the 2Ist. Judicial District Court holding session
in and for the Parish of st. Martin.
The Grand Jury empanelled at the present Sos
sion Of Court, having terminated their labors,
before asking your honor to discharge them. beg
leave to respectfully submit the following n.
port:
The Grand Jury was empanelled sworn and
commenced to work on Monday the 4th. inst,
they have investigated four cases of homicide
one Of stabbing with intent to commit murder,
of breaking and entering and committing an a..
saut with intent to commit rape, one of shoot
ing at a dwelling house. there being several per-
sons therein, two of assault and battery, one for
ault by wilfully shooting at. one of petty lar
ceny, one Of rape. one of robbery one Of entering
in the day time with intent to commit rape.
In most instances of the cases we have found
true bills. and we have so reported to your homo
rable court,
Considering the population of this Parish we
do not believe that the foregoing statement Of
cases Investigated by us shows an increase Of
crimes.
Parish Prison-We hyve inspected the Jail
| many prisoners are confined in il, some of them
n q nearly one year, notwithstanding their
long confinement they all have an appearance
of good health which is probably in part due to
the cleanliness of the Jail and their good treat
ment by the jailor. The Grand Jury have deem.
ed it their duty to call the attention of this hon
orable court to the fact that there is confined in
the parish Jail under no charge whatever, except
that Of insanity one Gearge st. Laurent, that
said party has been thus confined for nearly q
year, at great expense to the parish. that they
have conversed with said party who has answer
ed intelligently and in a rational manner to all
their questions and who in their opinion is Of
same mind. That without pretending to be ex-
perts in matter of this kind, yet they believe
that for humanty's sake. he should either be re-
leased or some steps taken to send him to some
insane asylum, where proper medical attention
could be given to him. That his confinement
can but impair his intellect whilst it is laying
uselessly heavy tax on the parish for his main.
tainance and confinement which we deem it un-
necessary.
We will further state that the Parish Jail is in
a very deplorsble condition for the safe keeping
Of prisoners. We call the attention Of the Po-
lice jury to the same. and would advise that
same be repaired as soon as possible.
We also call their attention to the condition Of
the Court House. which is sadly in need Of re-
pairs and painting, and also to the condition Of
the brick work around the gallery which is fall
ing to pieces and if not repaired soon il will be.
come perfect wreck. Also to the bell post
which is rotten and in dangerous condition
and should be repaired Immediately.
And for the convenience OF the Sheriff in CALL
ing witnesses. we suggest as our predecessors
did, that door with a balcony infront, be OPEN
ed through the wall of the Hall leading to the
Court room, such improvement would cost
but little, save good dead of time to the Sheriff,
and greately facilitate the dispatch of business
of the Court.
We would further suggest that the wire. fence
now around the front of the court yard is an
unsightly and incomplete object, and that the
same should be removed and q good and sub
stantial wood or iron fence placed around the en-
tire lot Respectfully submitted.
A true copy, A. II. French
Attest, Foreman,
VIM. B. Eastin. by. Clerk of Court.
st. Martinsvile Feb. 18th. 1889.