Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-09
FOR WRITING POLICY,
Plea of Guilty Entered Before Justic,
sellers.

I'lea Oh Gullty Entered before Justice
Sellers.
The case of writing policy in Rosslyn.
Va, which was preferred against Frank
McClearen, Walter Turvey and Jesse
Cochran, was disposed of yesterday at the
session of the court presided over by
Squire V. w. Sellers. Two of the defend.
ants pleaded guilty, while the third. who
had never been apprehended, was not
prosecuted. A fine of SO each and costs
was imposed, with twenty-four hours in
the county Jail. Moreover. the defendants
were required to promise that they would
never conduct another policy game in the
village Of Rosslyn, or engage in any game
OF chance within the village limits The
session of the court was brief and wIlhin
half an hour after the opening the COM
mitments had been made out and the de-
PENDANTS were on their way to serve their
term in Jail.
The attorney for the defense. Mr.. John
III. Greene, who had been sick and whose
illness necessitated two postponements, was
present, and associated with him was SAM
uel Brent. The prosecution was represent
ed by the commemorative attorney, Rich
ard Johnson. Squire Sellers sat on the
bench alone, having no advisory justices
with him.
The court room was crowded with spec-
tators, among the number being a young
lady, who, it was understood, had been
summoned as a witness.
Just before the opening OF the court the
counsel for the defense and the defendants
held conference on the outside, and when
the session opened Lawyer Greene arose
and made statement He said the defense
had decided to enter a plea of guilty. and
invoke the mercy of the court. He thought
this action should result In the imposition
of the minimum fine.
Commemorative Attorney johnson re-
marked that when the defendants pleaded
Q11i1fy n ba HIGHER
titled to some consideration. and generally
the minimum fine was imposed. The stat.
utes of the state provided that for an Of
Tense of the kind the lowest penalty was
fine of $3.50. while the maximum fine was
$500 and Imprisonment in the jail not ex-
ceeding twelve months. The court, the
counsel stated, could impose the maximum
fine. if IL saw fit, but in view of the fact
that plea of guilty had been entered a
lower fine should be imposed.
Justice Sellers said IL the defendants were
willing to promise that they never again
would open up policy game in the village
chance. he would impose a low fine.
Lawyer Greene announced that his clients
had promised not to again engage in the
business. while Lawyer Brent stated that
since their arrest the defendants had re-
manned out OF the business.
In disposfng of this case shall impose
a fine Of SO and costs in each case" said
four hours in jail each. This is the lowest
sentence that can consistently pro-
nounce-" The court stated that Il was
moved to place the fine at this limit be-
cause both Of the defendants were married
men, and have families to provide for. The
Justice Informed the defendants that they
could appeal from his decision. but they
were satisfied with the sentence.
In the case OF Jesse Cochran II was
stated that he had gone to Washington
Immediately after the raid. Mr.. McCiearen,
one Of the prisoners. was willing TO take
oath that Mr.. Cochran had never In any
manner been connected with the game, and
was innocent OF any charge OF the kind thai
might be made against him. The costs ID
each case were placed at IS, as o number
OF witnesses who had been summoned re-
fused to accept any fee.
Hcclearen and Trrvcy were released
from the Alexandra county tail this morn
ing. having served twenty four hosirs.