Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-11
P PRINCE CASE BEGUN.
United States Court Assumes
Jurisdiction in the Matter.
Jury Selected With Only Ono Norfolk Man,
j. w. cherry Garfield Guitcau Case
Used as a Precedent to Try Prisoner in
Federal Court.

Capt. NJ. II. Prince was put on trial
yesterday He is charged with the
murder of Charles j. Cannon, an oy-
ster dealer and saloonkeeper. on Au-
gust 3, 1900. The killing took place
about IL O'Clock in the morning in the
areaway between the Citizens Bank
building and the custom house, on Main
street, when a number OF citizens were
passing, many of whom saw the trag-
edy.
Prince met Cannon, put his arm on
Cannon's shoulder, drew him from the
street into the large open area, as if for
a friendly talk and after saying Il few
words. pulled II pistol and putting it
against Cannon's body fired.
The statement is that Cannon fell al
most Immediately prone to the pave
mcnt. Prince stood IL few PAGES away
and then approached again and fired
a final shot. the bullet of which struck
the dying man in the back of the head
and probably killed him instantly, if
he were not already dead.
CAPT. PRINCE ARRESTED.
Capt. Prince was arrested by the po-
lice officer on the beat and taken to the
station house. but on a warrant from
the United States Court he was soon
delivered to the United States author
tiles. because the shooting occurred on
the government lot, which is n reser-
walton.
Capt. Prince has steadily refused TO
talk about the shooting and so have
his friends. He has been confined in
the jail, where he has received almost
daily visits from james Il. Prince, his
brother, and other friends.
CASE is CALLED.
The case was called for trial in the
United States Court before Judge Ed
mund Waddil yesterday morning. The
following are the principal persons in
the case: Hon. George r.. Bowden is
clerk of the court, Morgan Treat and
D. u. West are marshal and deputy
marshal. j. \. Whitaker is the stcnog-
rapher Of the court. and will make n
verbatim report of the proceedings
The attorneys in the case are Hon. Il.
X. Thorp ana Judge Wilcox, for the
defense; Gen. Edgar Allen, of Rich
mond, the United States district at
torney is the sole prosecutors. Under
the rules of the Federal Court no as
sistant attorney. much less any attor-
ney from the outside. can lie en-
ployed.
PRISONER ENTERS COURT.
The prisoner entered the court room
at 10 O'Clock lie was in charge OF
Marshal Morgan Treat and Deputy
Marshal j. L. West. He walked with
n firm. steady step and looked strong
and well. lie was dressed in Il suit of
dark clothes, was Clearly shaved, eX-
cept for moustache, and appeared TO
be in perfect health. He manifested no
emotion. His face was perfectly calm,
but slightly pale. He is about five feet
ten inches in height. strongly built and
weighs about 100 pounds.
The beautiful new court room was
filled with an eager crowd at 10 o'clock
All of the seats for spectators were
taken and many persons were standing
in the gallery and in the aisles. In
the crowd there We're many friends of
Capt. NJ. II. Prince, who took careful
note of everything that passed, appar-
entity anxious for his safety.
THE TRIAL ON.
At 1915 Judge Edmund Waddll APP
peared and the court was called to
order to try the case. 1t was n drama
tic scene. There was a great audience
to hear a trial for life or death.
Mr.. James +. Prince occupied n seat
by his brother at the table beside the
lawyers for the defense Hon. r. r.
ThorD and Judge II. II. Wilcox.
JURISDICTION.
Mr.. Thorp raised the question of jur-
lsdiciion He stated that the prisoner
was arrested and indicted by State
officers and that the case should be
tried in the Corporation Court He in
PRODUCED the record of the testimony
before the Coroners inquest and the
Indictment of the grand jury of the
state court to prove that the case was
under consideration in the State court
General Allan said he would contend
AGAINST the transfer Of the case. He
said the case was clearly i'm tha TTnito6