Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-21
JUSTICE SELLERS CLEARED.
Acquitted of Charge of Assault With
Intent to XIII.

Intent to XIII.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
GLENCARLYN. Va, September u, 1897.
The little court room Of Justice Sellers at
Rosslyn was crowded to its doors yesterday
afternoon by parties attracted by the case
of the commonwealth of Virginia vs. v. W.
Sellers, justice of the peace for Alexan-
dria county, against whom a charge Of
assault with intent to kill' had been pre-
ferred, as published exclusively in yester-
days Star.
An even dozen witnesses were summoned
to testify in the case, which continued
until late in the afternoon, some little
disorder occurring in the court room to
delay the proceedings.
After The Stars report of the trial closed
yesterday. the prosecution continued with
its case, William McKeever, a ten-year-old
white boy, being called to the stand by JUS
tice Hull, who acted as prosecuting officer,
In the absence of the commonwealth at
torney, "Dickey' johnson.
In reply to question, young McKeever
stated that he would go to Jail If ne told a
lie, whereupon he vas declared compe--
tent witness, and directed to detail any
knowledge he might have of the case The
witness gave his version of the affair, SUBJ
stantiating in the main the testimony Of
the previous witnesses for the common
Clements whether Moody, the complain
ant, was under the influence of liquor at
the time of his arrest. McKeever said he
didn't know. He explained that he thought
were due to ''slight lameness," which,
said the witness. troubles Mr.. Moody
cutie often"
After the examination Of several other
witnesses, whose testimony was of minor
Importance, the prosecution rested its case;
whereupon Attorney Clements placed JUS
tfce Sellers upon the stand in his own de-
Tense. The justice gave the story in de-
tall stating that the evening Of the alleged
assault he WAS seated in his Office, In COM
pany with Star reporter. when he was
summoned to the station of the Falls
Church electric railway at the Auueduct
bridge to apprehend a prisoner who was
escaping to the District over that road
After placing the men under arrest"
SAD SAID the witness; I turned him over to
returned to my office, followed by the
officer and his prisoner.
1--WE had not proceeded more than half
way" continued Sellers. before Moody ac-
costed the officer, with the sole purpose, I
sincerely believe. of giving the prisoner an
opportunity to escape. When we reached
the house, ordered Moody away several
times. without avail. and finally placed him
under arrest for contempt of court. but
reconsidered the matter and allowed him
to go upon his promise OF good behavior"
After detailing the conduct of Moody upon
MS reiedsc aIo ms unsuccessful attempt
to again capture him. including the firing
Of two shots at the fleeing fugitive Sellers
was excused. and several other witnesses
present were called by the defense the
testimony of each corroborating that Of the
defendant.
Shortly before o'clock the taking of
testimony was concluded. At $50 O'Clock.
after the attorneys had spoken to the case
the matter was taken under consideration
by the court.
On the first ballot It was found that the
vote stood four to one in favor OF acouitfal.
An hour later Justice Hull OF Washington
district changed his ballot in favor OF the
aceused, making the verdict unanimous
IN every respect It leaked oct early this.
morning that warrant hal been sworn
out Tor the arrest of Moody upon q charge
Of perjury. preferred by Sellers.