Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-20
A BURGLAR TRIED.
THE INSANITY PLEA REDUCED HIS
CRIME TO PETIT LARCENY.
Tho Case OF the Norfolk Negro Rioters
Likely TO Involve the Question of
Police Authority.
Correspondence OF tho Richmond Dispatch

tCorrespondence OF tho Richmond Dispatch.l
PErFRsBURG, Va, September 10. 1890.
In the Hastings Court this morning the
case OF John Chaders (colored), indicted
for house-breaking, was tried. The case
presented some peculiar features. the de-
fence putting in theplea of irresponsibility
for crime because Of insanity. The house
breaking and larceny were proved by the
Commonwealth. and counsel for the de-
fence then put three witnesses on the
stard-the mother. the brother, and the
sister of the prisOner-the TWO last Delng
positive imbeciles and scarcely capable Of
reasoning. Both of them at first stated
that they did not know "the prisoner at
the bar" but after some questioning said
he was their brother that he had always
been wavward and peculiar, and hardly
knew what he did. The mother testified
that all three of the children would be bet
ter off in the asylum than out OF 1t.
IN PART TRUE.
A physician who was present and heard
the testimony stated TO the Court that
from what be had heard, assuming the EVIL
dence as in whole or in part true, that he
had grave doubts as to the responsibility
Of the accused for the crime with when
he was charged. The jury In the absence
of positive proof on the part of the de:
fence of insanity rendered verdict or
guilty of petit larceny, and sent him 10
iail for sixty days and fined him 80.
Chaders has only recently served twelve
months term III jail.
SIX MONTHS IN JAIL.
Charles and Preston Strachan, the two
NEGROES recently arrested for the larceny
of about $40 worth of goods from James
Hargrave, IN Prince George county, were
tried Yesterday afternoon before Justice
Bate of the county, and each sentenced
TO six months imprisonment in jail.
ASIcE QUESTION.
The cases Of the negro excursionists
from Norfolk who were arrested IN this
city several weeks ago for alleged riotous
conduct and for resisting the police while
in the discharge OF their duty will be tried
at the present term of the Hastings Court;
The defendants have engaged counsel, ana
it is expected that some very interesting
points will he raised as to police authority
and what constitutes resistance TO police
officers. The trouble with these excur-
sionists at the depot caused great deal OF
feeling at the time. one Of the clty's OIL
GERS being very roughly handled.
THE PINE TOBACCO CROP.
In speaking Of the fine tobacco crop
this wear Major Il. l.. Emry, of Weldon,
saws he had been offered 800 per acre for
his crop. and the statement is made that
one manufacturing firm in this city uses
more bright tobacco every year than Is
raised IN Virginia.
THE VIRGINIA AND CAROLINA RAILROAD.
Inquiries are frequently made as to what
the owners of the Virginia and Carolina
railroad franchises propose TO do, but no
definite information can be obtained on
the subject Meanwhile the time for
building the first twenty miles of road
commencing at this CITY is rapidly passing,
and there are no evidences OF any con-
stTuctlOn.
GIVEN SIX MONTHS.
The Jury IN the case of Rufus Butler and
Willie Marks, the two young white boys
charged with housebreaking. found them
guilty Of larceny tonight and fixed their
term of imprisonment at six months in the
city Jail. ROBIN ADAIR,