Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-23
A DAY OF CONFESSIONS.
An EventfuI and Amusing Session of "A
Court.
special Telegram TO Tho Dispatoh.l

special telegram TO the Dfpa'chl
FREDERICKsBURG, Va, July 22.-To-day
has been an eyentful as well as an amusing
one for the Corporation Court Of this city.
At the opening of the court IN the morn
inc the prisoner, Jordan Washington, who
was on Saturday found guilty of murder
in the second degree and sentenced TO
eighteen years in the penitentlary, was
brought into court and received his SEN
tence. Bills of exceptions were then filed
by his counsel
The case of Grant Lewis, indicted for
unlawful and malicious emitting, with in
tent to XII Luther Scott during the same
fracas which resulted in the death Of Hay
wood Johnson and which occurred on the
Attn instant. was then taken up. The JURY
was empanolled aud the witnesses began
10 testify. During the examination of the
third witness by counsel for the defence
the prisoner was seen 20 beckon 10 Sergeant
Eddingt0n. who had q few minutes con-
ycrSatiOn with him and then Informed the
Court without notifying lis attorney
that the accused desired 10 make
a statement. The counsel for the de-
fence, 4. II. Dickinson, then asked
the Court who was trying the case.
Lewis was then asked by the Judge II he
would make statement, and, rising, SAID !:
." have always told the truth, and my con-
science condemns me now, aud l desire 20
tell all about 1t that ! know"
The prisoner, continuing, said that
on the night of the 18th he went 10
the depot to see lady of, and
while entering the ear observed Scott
standing near 10y, and, taking hum to be a
colored man 10y the name of John Ialia-
ferro living in Washington, he drew "A
knife and stabbed him because he had
been threatened by Talaferro for parting
him from his wife. which WAS untrue, and
he did not intend 10 let Washington
get the first lick a. him. At the conclusion
of his statement there was some STIR M the
courtroom. after which his counsel arose
and Withdrew from the case and SAID that
the confession was as much "a surprise TO
him a. 20 the Court. The Commonwealth
then in view OF his confession. asked Tor
a light sentence. The jury then repaired
TO their room and IN about thirty minutes
returned with verdict of guilty aud fixed
his punishment NJ three years IN the peni-
teAtIarY.
The court then adjourned until o'clock.
AZ the opening OF the court OF O'Clock the
case of Robert Washington, indicted as ac-
cessorv in the murder of Johnson, wa
called. Before the jury was empanelled
the Commonwealth Attorney, after a con-
yersatiOn with the witnesses, asked that "a
mole proSNQu be entered, As be could md no
case against lut fi4Spu'i. 1 li9 W. '''ii'
and the prisoner discharged. Grant Lewis,
who was also indicted as an accessory, was
brought into court and jury for the case
empauelled IN the opening argument some
amusement was afforded the audience and
Jurors by the prisoners counsel, 4. H. DICK
lnson. who said that As he bad been eln-
ployed 70 defend the prisoner he supposed
that he would have 10 do it. but he wanted
the Court and jury 20 understand that con-
f,.SsiOus were in order, aud he nor they
must be- surprised If he WAS Interrupted
bv a confession from MS client \ few WITH
cisms were then gotten of 10y the Com
monwealth's Attorney and the prisoners
counsel, but little did the jurors or conn
sci think that another confession Woulb
be made. and while the examination OF the
second witness was being conducted 10y
the defence great was the surprise end
aetouishment when the ComnonV ealth S
Attorney ASKED that all further proceed
inus be stopped a. Le wanted 10 DO jas ice
to the prisoner, and that be now saw that
the Commonwealth would bee unable 60
establish its case and asked that that the
prisoner be acquitted the jury then ac-
Quilted the prisoner without leaving their
box. Both of the convicted men say they
are satisfied with the verdict. The gene
raj impression among the citizens IS that
Jordan Washington should have been pun
ished by death for his crime.