Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-16
THE CASE OF BOOKER
DEFENCE NOT BEING READY FURTHER
CONTINUANCE IS GRANTED.
Motion for Surrender of
Books and Papers.

The Booker case will probably be tried
next month. as Judge Witt stated yester-
day that unless some good legal reason was
offered the trial will have TO begin on the
day set, July 18th.
About half-past II O'clock yesterday
morning Lewis Booker came into the
Hastings Court, accompanied by his coun-
sci. Judge Hunter H. Marshall, Major C. S.
Stringfellow, and Major Il. G. Marshall, Of
Portsmouth, the latter of whom has but
recently become associated in the case.
NOT READY.
Major Springfellow opened the proceed
ings by stating that though the trial was
set for yesterday they were not ready,
which fact they had some time ago Inti-
mated to the Court.
Judge Witt replied that the question Of
a continuance had been practically settled
at the last term of court.
Commonwealth's-Att Smith said he
was ready 20 consult the interests Of all
parties. Miss Emile Hannewinckel, an
important witness, was in delicate health
and wanted 10 leave the city by July lst If
possible. For that reason he would ask
that trial be gone into the latter part OF
this month.
Judge Witt remarked that it was his i'm
preston that n continuance to the next
term had been agreed to.
Major Stringfellow thought the same as
the Judge, and gave the reason for their
asking a continuance. His understanding
was that the proceedings yesterday were
entirely formal.
Mr.. Smith suggested that the 25th Of
June would be good time and would
give the defence ten days in which TO pre-
pare.
Major Strlngfellow reiterated his state
ment, and insisted that they could not be
ready by the 25th Of this month.
Major r. c. Marshall said this was also
| his understanding.
WILL GO AHEAD.
Judge Witt then stated that as he and
tho counsel for the defence had under
stood that a continuance until next term
was TO be had il would be a hardship TO
force them into n trial this term.
II had been stated that a lady was IN
| delicate health and wanted 10 get away
| from the city, so the case would be tried
on the day set unless some good legal rea-
! son prevented. He did not mean, how
ever, by this that he proposed to force a
| trial. Concluding he told the lawyers TO
suit their convenience as to the selection
| of date.
! A calendar was consulted, and after some
| little conference the second Monday in
! July (l3th) was agreed upon.
Booker's former bOnds-S4, 900 in each
| Of the five cases-were renewed with the
| same suretles. Messrs. Preston BolvIn, w.
T. Hancock, w. S. Gum, w. A, Page, and
| Il. l.. Christian.
DESIRES HIS PAPERS.
/ After he had been bailed Booker, through
| his counsel. presented a petition 10 the
/ Court, setting forth that his books. pa
/ pers, etc, in which he. kept his accounts
/ as financial agent for Miss Emeie Hanne-
/ winckel and rs guardian for Edward Han
| newinckel are unlgwfully in possession of
| the Commonwealth, and he and his coun-
| sci are not allowed access to them except
| in the presence Of an officer. He asks that
/ the Court issue an order compelling the
| City Sergeant to deliver the books. ETC., TO
/ the petitioner.
/ Major Stringfellow said they claimed the
| books upon the ground that they were MIR.
! Booker's private property, and he Is by law
! entitled to them. Furthermore, the ac-
| cused could not prepare his defence until
| he got possession of his books.
! The Court stated that ne desired TO hear
! the matter argued, as the questionis new
! one.
Ii was decided TO argue this matter
/ Thursday morning at IL O'Clock.