The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-28
A WRIT OF uABEAs CORPUS.
Lawyer Eston Randolph Sues for tho Re
lease of tho Prisoners.

Lawyer Eston Randolph Sues for tho Re-
lease of tho Prisoners.
The proceedings at tho inquest were
cnlivened and interrupted about $3.50
by tho appearance of Eston Randolph.
Esq, with statement that Judge Rob
ertson had issued writ of habeas
corpus for the release OF Redd and Will
hanson. lie had not tho writ,in possess
sion, and for 4 few minutes there was
some lively travelling back and forth
between the city building, the jail, and
the mayors Office. In the meanwhile
Chief Morris got out new warrant ION
information" charging Rcdd and Will
hanson with the murder of Mr.. Massie.
Finally the writ OF habeas corpus was
served and tho prisoners taken before
Judge Robertson, sitting in the clerk s
Office. commemorative Attorney Smith
and ex-senator Bibb appeared for the
commonwealth. Formalities were
waived, and, as tho men had been ar
rested without q warrant, they were re-
leased and immediately rcarrested
under the new warrants.
MIR. Randolph moved that the prison
ers be admitted to bail, and brought
forward witnesses to prove alibiS for his
clients. Previously, however, Chief
Morris was examined and stated that
the warrant was issued on information
obtained at the inquest, and that he had
no other knowledge duplicating tho
prisoners.
Mr.. Randolph made objections to tho
fact that he had been excluded from the
inquest, and Mr.. Smith gavo tho vetort
courteous that he had cndcavorcd in
vain to have Mr.. Randolph admitted.
j. >. Gravatt butcher, and j. M. Brim,
huckster, both white testified separately
that they were in Williamson's restuar-
ant between 6:30 and Gas Monday nigh t
and that he was there, that he made
mention OF money having been paid
over for some property that day.
Williamson'S cook, stout colorcd
woman. named Fanny Morgan sworo that
Williamson was in the whole evening
that about z o'clock he complained of u
hcachachc and lay down on 4 mattress
behind under tho counter until 10
o'clock, ard that tho place was closed
at ten.
VIII Eddy, sleepy-looking colored
boy, stated that he WAS in Wiliamson's
from till 10 sitting near u rcd-hot
stove and didn't go to sleep, and that
Williamson was in there all tho time.
For Redd, j. Il. Francis, w. X. Dwyer,
j. B. Mclntire, Bob Craddock, w. c.
IEeth, H. Il. Ratley and j. Ash were
called, but only the latter two were
| present. Ratley, who is the head OF Il
snack house on Railroad avenue, of
which Redd seems to hc the silent part
ncr, sworo that he was with Redo
around tho city and in the two snack
houses from o'clock until after s. lie
also gave testimony as TO Rcdd's finan-
cial solidity and the success of his res
taurant.
j. Ash, Redd's clerk, gave alibi testi-
mony covering Rcdd's presence before
and after the time OF the assault.
At this point Mr.. Randolph made re-
Moved demands for the presence of the
coroncr's witnesses, but the inquest was
still in session and many of the witnesses
could not then be reached. After Il
moro or less informal discussion of
points Judge Robertson adjourned the
hearing until Monday at 10 O'clock, at
which time the coroner's witnesses will
be examined and the question of bail
decided. The prisoners were then re-
manded to Jail.
THE TIMES is the leading paper OF the
mineral belt of tho two Virginias. Ifyou
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of this section you cannot afford to DO
withoutit.