The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-10
PETTUS DISCHARGED.
No Evidence TO Prove Him a Criminal
and lie was ENOnoratcd.

and lie was ENOnoratcd.
Justice Cruichheld was engaged the
greater part Of yesterday morning in
hearing the evidence IN the case OF alleged
theft against Sergeant John i. Pettus,
of the Fitzhugh Lee Rifles, of Lynch
burg.
Alr. Petlus was arrested Tuesday by
Detective Gibson and Wren, on the charge
made by A. B. Hull, another Lynchbur6
solder, OF having taking the sum OF $50
charge. that OF having taken the sum Of
SJl.JO was made Dy young man named
l. a.. Bradley,
Tie circumstances Of the arrest were
detailed ia The Times yesterday
When the case was called air. Murray
NJ. Mcclure. OF this city representing the
accused stated that Judge Ford, OF
LynchOurg, would be associated Win
Him in the case.
The first witness placed on the stand
was \. IL. Hull. one OF the accusers. lie
stated that Pettus Bradley and himself
had gone out early Monday Tor good
time, and were all pretty well nIed with
intoXicants During the day they took
a buggy ride. Al that time Hull was
very drunk. and Pettus suggested that
he be put TO bed. Bradley SAID ne knew
a place where he could be put TO BED,
and the party drove out 10 Notes place
There ne was Pvt 10 bed, and he stated
on the stand that he saw Pettus 80 mo
his pocket and take his money from ms
pocket book. lie feebly protested, but
was too drunk TO do much. ana dld ho'
make complaint until next morning.
G.. J. Coppingcr, barkeeper at Note
said he saw fcttus take some money
from a pocket book that rescmbled one
offered IN evidence as the property OF
Hull.
John Smith. a negro customer Of the
barkeeper said he found the pocketbOOk
just outside the bar, and al the same
time he saw Bradley and Pettus enter
the bar. and Huh sitting In a half-stupid
manner in the buggy
This testimony created sensation, as
II proved that the pocketbook was found
before Hull had been put 10 bed, in con-
tradiction 10 the statement made by Hun
himself
his bed to Hull, and that he heard no
thing OF the loss until next morning.
bradley said that be heard nothing OF
Huils loss until the next day. as Pettus
pns himself had left Hull at Notes and
gone elsewhere and spent the night
The witness. Bradley testified that he
raw peftus enter the room that he occu-
pied and take his money from his pocket.
lie made no complaint untll no heard
that Hull had also been rolled.
This statement was different from the
one Doe had made 90 the detective, and
MI wren flHtcl lAdl 'Afi"~i'f NAilA N'iN
Others az the hol Sc OF his loss and
a search was made with no results. and
that Bradley said all he wanted was his
money. and nc wanted 10 see iettus
about A.
The testimony Of the main witnesses
was SO contradictory, unsatisfactory.
conflicting and unreasonable that II be,
came evident that there was no case
against the accused.
lie was placed on the stand, however,
md confirmed what had been said I'm re-
ference 20 tho visit 10 Notes. where
Hull had been put 20 bed. and the later
trip 20 the house on upper Broad street,
Where he and bradley spent the night He
denied positively knowing anything
about the money that was alleged 10 have
been stolen. and explained that the
money he had IN his pockets was what
remained OF the pay he had received from
the government.
Witnesses were introduced 20 show the
excellent character that Pettus bore In
Lynchburg. and when the case was closed
Judge Ford made few remarks and
Mr.. McGeiro closed by asking that the
tase be dismissed which was done with
put any comment by Justice Crutch-
held
Other cases disposed of by Justice
crutchfieid follow
Ehomas sdcGpire. mas found "a AaxA-l