The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-17
JONES GOES FREE.
The Case Against Him For Shooting j
IL. HOckaday Is NolIe Pressed

rs. hOckaday Is Nolle Pressed.
The case OF the commonwealth vs.. G..
Carpenter Jones was nolle pressed by
Judge Woods yesterday in the Hastings
Court at the instance Of the lawyers for
the plaintiff, and the request of j. r.
Hockaday, who was tho victim of an
ARRAY last summer when G.. Carpenter
Jones, son of B. A. Jones, the whole
sale grocer shot Hockaday in the face.
The cause of the trouble it was alleged,
was on account of certain remarks made
by Jones concerning members of Mr..
Hockaday's family. The former was
arrested and indicted by the grand Jury
on the charge of assault with intent to
kill, but owing to the absence of wit
nesses the case has been postponed
from one term to another. The wound
inflicted was not particularly serious
and Mr. Hockaday soon recovered.
Tho case came up yesterday morning
for trial. w. o. Hardaway, assisted by
Col. G. w. Hansbrough and R. B. Smith,
appeared for the commonwealth and
Scott IL Staples and John T.. Penn for
the defendant. When tho case was
called Mr.. Hardaway announced that
the commonwealth was ready tc proceed.
Colonel Hansbrough then addressed
the court and said no had been engaged
with Mr.. Smith to assist the prosecu-
ton. AS no serious consequences had
resulted ho desired to inform the court
that the case had.been settled and also,
understanding that TIE defense intended
to offer evidence that Jones acted in
seifdefense as Mr.. Hockaday struck the
first blow, and having examined the
evidence, had concluded that it would
not warrant conviction, so in behalf
of Mr.. Hockaday and his family, he
asked that the court en- ter q nolle pros.
in ,he case.
Mr.. Hardaway then stated that the
nolle pros. was the request of Mr..
Hockaday, and not by him as represent
ing the Com monwealth, and il the in
iured party does not wish to press the
case, it would be almost impossible to
secure conviction. In view of those
circumstances Mr.. Hardaway said:
Whatever action is taken by the court
will meet my approval" Judge Woods
then ordered the clerk to enter q nolle
proSequi.
The settlement of tho case is fully
explained by the following letter.
"RoANoKE, Va, Feb. 16, 1898.
"Mr. w. o. Hardaway, Commonwealth
Attorney for the City OF Roanoke:
I'm view Of the written statement
made to me by Mr.. G. G. Jones, a copy
of which l enclose, l hereby acknowi-
edge satisfaction for any injury which
may have been done me by Mr.. G. &.
Jones in the difficulty for which he
now stands indicted in the Hastings
Court of Roanoke city, and 1 therefore
request you to enter nolle prosequi in
the case. The following is copy of the
paper above referred to-:
], the undersigned, G. c. Jones, hereby declare
that have Mt no time. by act or word, reflected
III any way upon the character OF the daughters
OF Mr.. j.. Il. liockaday, or any one OF them, and
hereby disciaim all purpose go to do. And,
Inrther say that deeply regret the unfortunate
diihculty that occurred between him and myeclf
ana which feel srrc resulted from ovcr-haste
and mistake on the part of both parties in act
ing as did in the difficulty. had no purpose
TO- TO- 90 Mr.. uockaday any wrong and was in
liuence1 solely by desire to defend myself
from what, Mt the time considered an unjust
attack and rejoice that no serious injuries re-
suited TO either OF us. &c. G. JONES'
81. r. HOCKADAY.y