The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-11
on TgIxL FOR MURDER.
Morris Hopkins Charged with Killing ,rr.
Uervv :. Parsons

The trial OF Morris Hopkins, the no,ro
charged with the murder Of Mr. Henry 9
Parsons, was begun In the Henrico coun.
ty Court yesterday morning.
1T will be remembered that the no.,o
who was employed at the bricl; ward as.
saulted and struck Mr.. Parsons win I,
heavy stick. after having had Soma 80
bic with the paymaster over wages nil,
the negro claimed was due him aod
remained unpaid. The assault was r,a.',
on June eth last, Hopkins having cra,,t
upon his victim while the latrsr 80
crossing the yard some time after The
dispute.
The weapon which Hopkins used v,s .
stick about three feet long and about ,,yo
and a half inches In circumference
Mr.. Parsons lived until the 2-,b ~
June. when he died. lie was nro,,t-
nent man in the Red Men, and OF Other
secret orders.
Immediately after inhlctins the wound
the negro fed and euded the most vici-
liant pursuit Of the officers. lie went 10
Charles city county and was emnloved
by fisherman. He afterwards obtained
work in brick yard in Warwick county
The grand jury Of Henrico county at
its July term indicted the prisoner for
iiti %'t IA the ll-t ut-ict. y reward OF
500 was offered for the arrest OF the
criminal. but it was unavailing.
Hopkins was finally caught and lodged
IN jail by Deputy Sheriff Lew l. Russell.
he being enticed 20 the city by his faith
er. who surrendered him.
Hopkins is-a compact built man. of
ginger-cake color. the usual fiat nose. and
thick lips. His counteDance is repuisiye
in appearance.
The prisoner Is represented by Messrs.
George Washington. Thomas w. NJ. Jus
It's. Hay r. Garrett, and Henry 4. At
kissOn, Jr
Hon. Conway r. Sands. the Common
wealth's Attorney is conducting the prose
cution. lie is being assisted by Air Harry
NJ. Smith, Jr.. who has been retained
by jamestown Tribe, 7. o. X. NJ. TO aid
the Commonwealth Mr. Smith Is MEM
Der of the order Of Red Men.
After the following jury had been
sworn: Messrs. c. II. jenkins. w. r.
Johnson. John Archer. Lydall BowIes. G.
y. Fourqurean, John NJ. King, James T..
Heath. r.. \. Fletcher. James Eubank,
Messy Warmer. y. l.. Henley. and w. r.
Larus, Clerk Waddill read the Indictment
to the prisoner, to which he pleaded not
guilty.
The counsel for the defence made the
usual motions TO quash the indictments.
demurred 10 the Indictment. etc. All Of
these motions were promptly overruIed.
The witnesses for the prosecution were
then sworn and ordered TO leave the
courtroom. There We're no witnesses for
the defence sworn.
The first witness called was Dr. T.. J.
Moseley VINO attended MIR. Parsons on the
18th Of June last He described the con-
dition of Mr. Parsons when he was called
in. lie found Mr.. Parsons suffering from
conclusion of the brain. and after treat
ing the wounded man for about two
weeks. found that a surgical operation
was necessary 10 save his life With the
assistance Of several other phyicians he
attempted the operation June 26th II
was not successful and the patient died
the next day.
The court was engaged until a late
hour in the examination Of DR.. Moseley.
commission OF lunacy met yester-
day al the county jail for the purpose Of
considering the case Of Thomas Hetch-
en-. a negro inmate OF the prison.
At the suggestion Of DR.. Charles II.
Chalkley the examination into the men,
tai condition OF the negro was post
poned until Wednesday.