Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-05-09
POKEY NOT GUILTY.
The Prosecution Breaks
Down.
THE PRISONER SECURES
HER LIBERTY.
Hurried by Her Lawyer to Richmond
Now here-A Tragic Ending
Of the Case
GRAND OVATION AT THE TRAIN.
Visits the Planet Office Joy Unre-
strained-Poor Aunt Mary

Visits the Planet Office Joy Unre-
strained-Poor Aunt Mary
Ex-Judge A. ID. Watkins, Common
wealth's Attorney of Prince Edward
County on Tuesday April 5, 1896 arose
in the County Court at Farmville, Va,
and after having declared that the COM
monwealth had utterly failed to make
out its case against Pokey Barnes, en-
tered nolle prosequi, the judge pre-
siding consenting to the same and the
prisoner was discharged from custody
This was done i'm the face of the fact
that the two lawyers hired by Lunen-
burg County and the commonwealth $
attorney of the aforesaid county pro-
tested against the same. Ex-Judge
Watkins said he had carefully consid-
cred the responsibility of this course
before he took it.
The fact Pokey Barnes was free was
quickly communicated to this city and
spread like wild-tire. The following
telegram from the counsel was receiv-
ed:
''John Mitchell, Jr.,
Editor of the PLANET,
Richmond, Va.
Common wealth entered nolle pros
eGui in Pokey's case. Meet US at
train"
Although few persons were informed
OF this fact the news spread and with
in ten minutes after he had communi-
Gated the information to those at the
depot that she would arrive at the
Byrd st. Station at p. m. there was a
large crowd present
AFTER TaE TRAIN ARRIVED.
Captain A. b Guigon was off first
and grasped Editor MitchelPs hand
then came the Hon. George ID Wise,
the veteran. He showed that sturdy
dissemination for which he is noted
and as his countenance beamed an ex-
preston of quiet satisfaction. George
Bragg, Jr. who had been in Farmville
ekW Mr.. Mitchell through the car win
dow and called Pokey's attention to
him. She smiled and was soon out TO
greet him. Her father Joseph Barnes
was with her. A carriage had been
previously ordered from Mr. w. Isaac
johnson, and was in waiting.
To this carriage Pokey was escorted
amidst the multitude, a struggling
mass of men, women children all striv-
ing to get a glimpse and shake the
hand of one who had been so neal
deaths door
She was placed in the carriage and
Editor Mitchell aud her father joined
her.
Then there was a mighty shout
Three cheers for John Mitchellw
was given with will and then wa
called out, Three cheers for Pokey
Barnes" The demonstration wa
equally as marked.
The party was driven to the PLANE
office. On the way they met Squire H
+. Jonathan and he got into the carri
age.
AT THE PLANET OFFICE.
The news spread and white, colored
male and female surged into the Office
Pokey was seated in the editorial room
and for ten minutes shook hands wit
the multitude,
The drive to the residence Of Mrs
Rosa ID. Bowser, president of the Wo
mans League and Miss Marietta
Chiles, secretary of the League wa
equally as marked by the appreciatio
shown by those who gathered aroun
the carriage.
hen to the Y M. G. A rooms, Mrs
Joanna Thompson's residence, Edito
MitchelPs residence and last to tn
temporary home of Pokey, at Mrs. Bel
tie Graves residence, 8l3 N 1st Stree
The carriage was beseiged at all {
these places. Windows were raised
Females in the kitchens, at the wash
tub, and seamstresses came rushing
grasp her hand and call down blessing
upon Lawyers Wise, Flournoy an
Guigon, x-Judge Watkins, Gov. O'Ft
rail- and the editor of the PLANET
During the Silly hours of Wedne
day night, the First Battalion Bar
(striDg) under the leadership of NJ
Nelson Harris serenaded Editor Mi
chell and Pokey Barnes. The mus
was heavenly, the strains seraphic.
FARMvnLE, VA April %.
When court convened this mornin
however, Judge Flournoy stated tn
counsel for the defence wished
amend their motion for stay of judi
ment, but before doing so desire TO 8
Mr.. A. e Clements, who was expect
to arrive on the train upon viii
Judge Mann was also expected.
Court accordingly adjourned un
80
Upon the reconvening of court nd
Flournoy addressed the Judge and a
vanced a number of strong argumer
why the verdict should be set asiC
Judge FlournOy contended that t
testimony Of Mr.. White, Mrs. Thom
son and Phil. Watson had been impl
perly admitted.
JUDGE MANN's IMPROPER REMARKS.
He also held that Judge Mann,
his address to the jury had made sta
ments closely akin to the testimol
and, therefore, improper.
Judge Mann, he said, had told
jury that he would not ask them
convict the prisoner unless they W.
morally certain of her guilt. IN
this statement" said Judge Flourn
looming from a man of the standing
Judge Mann all over the commun
has the greatest weight"
Judge Flournoy alluded to seve
other statements made by Judge Me
in bis argument, which he character
ed as in his judgement improper, q
calculated to have the same miner
upon the minds of the jury as testin
ny.
AMENDING THE MOTION.
Judge Flournoy then stated that
amendment of his motion of yesterd
which he wished to submit. was as I
lows: 1.-THE prisoner also moves
oourt TO set aside the verdict, 9