Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-24
ALEXANDRIA AFT AIRS
Judge Chichester Speaks of the Nelson
sshDase.
Gambler is Bnclu i'm Jnil-Local Notes
Il
-,e's ,..tyr Of Intercst Told
briefly.

Judge Chichester Of the Alexandria coun-
ty court showed in a very decided manner
yesterday that he' is in earnest about
breaking up the Alexandria county lawless-
ress when he openly rebuked several men,
bers of the bar, justice of the peace and
other county officials for their peculiar &C
ton in the John Nelson murder case. AS
stated in The Star several weeks ago. John
Nelson was released from jail by Justice
Lane on thousand-dollar bond given by
John H. Greene, one of his attorneys. and
Granville Kelly. and since that time
he has shaken the dust of this part of the
country from his feet and his whereabouts
are now unknown.
When the Nelson case was called in the
county court yesterday afternoon neither
Nelson nor his attorney. John H. Greene,
was present, and this was the keynote for
Judge Chichesters remarks. He said that
one member of the bar had deceived him.
1t Will be remembered that when Nelson
turned reformer and gave Information to
mis- bondsmen called him in and sur
rendered him to the court When Nelson
found himself again behind the cold steel
bars his heart failed him and he resolved
TO go back to his pals" SO when he was
asked to sign new warrants he refused to
do SO. nor would he appear in court against
those for whom he had sworn out war
rants. When Nelson was surrenedered
der 5000 bond. Judge Chichester SAID:
Without my knowledge or consent. how
ever, a member of this bar (meaning John
H. Greene) went to the jail, got Neison out
carried him before Justice Lane an lgno-
rant. illterate negro justice of the peace
of the county, who released him on $l,o0o
bond, when the bond on which originally
committed him was $5,Uo' ana MT; Greene
became one of the sureties. Now. l consid-
this whole business not only Illegal but
IN contempt of court, and l know no law
authorizing such proceedings.
Judge Chichester ordered CommonWeaith
Attorney johnson to proceed at once
| against Greene and Kelly, Nelson's bonds
men, and also to take proper steps LOT the
removal of Justice Lane.
Nelson, 1t will be remembered. Is uhdei
Indictment for the alleged murder or
Deputy Sheriff Hines in February last.
Nelson Is also under bond OF sooo LOT APP
pearance before the corporation court OF
Alexandria city, charged with stealing q
lot of gambling paraphernalia from the old
court house. Nelson Is said TO be also I'M
der bond to appear before one or the
Washington courts on the charge OF per-
jury. Lawyer John II. Greene IS on this
bond.
AT the opening of the county court this
morning Judge Chichester added to his re-
marks of yes terday by saying that the So
called bond for Nelson's release had been
for 5000, instead of $1,000. as stated by
him yesterday. Il want 1t understood"
said Judge Chichester, that neither the
sheriff of Alexandria county nor the Ja:ler
| of Alexandria city has any authority to re-
lease from Jail sny prisoner that i send
there. The prisoner must stay there
until l let him out, unless he is re-
leased en- writ of habeas corpus issued
by some court of equal or higher authority
than mine" This looked like a back
handed slap at Sheriff Palmer for allowing.
as 1t Is said. Harry Gambler to take leave
of absence. Under this order of the court
Gambler will be apt to spend the rest of his
time IN Jail, without the pleasant breaks
he is said to have been accustomed to.