The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-11
doubt. said he. as to the guilt Of the de-

doubt, said he, as to the guilt Of the de-
PENDANT.
Mr.. Meredith spoke for half an hour.
arguing that the Commonwealth had
failed utterly to make out a case against
his client. He took the evidence of many
Of the witnesses and attempted to show
that 1t was not of sufficient strength to
warrant conviction. He warned Justice
Crutchf1eld Of the gravity of the case
and the meaning OF a verdict in favor Of
the prosecution, concluding his remarks
by stating that yellow dog should not
be convicted on the evidence of acknowi-
edged perjurers and criminals.
MORNING SESSION.
Are you ready" asked Justice Crutch-
field, of the interested attorneys at ten
minutes after II o'clock, and City At
torney Pollard then stated to the court
that he would not assist Commemorative
Attorney Richardson in the prosecution,
| ga wing that the special resolution from
Council requested that he appear only
before the special grand jury In regard
to aneged municipal corruption.
Prior to the calling OF the first witness
Mr.. Meredith entered a plea OF abate-
ment, which, had it been accepted. would
have practically resulted In Diminishing
the charges against Dir. King. He alleged
that Mr.. S. Dabney Crenshaw, one Of
the members Of the grand jury which
returned the indictment against his de-
fendent, was at the time the bill was
drawn not resident of the city and
therefore not qualified to serve on the
grand jury. The plea was thrown out
by Justice John and then Mr.. Meredith
entered a plea of not guilty in behalf
OF his client.
J. Taylor Stratton. clerk of the Com
mittee on Streets, was the first witness
called and the trial was on in earnest
Mr. Richardson asked the witness con-
corning contracts which were awarded
by the committee for street paving at
a meeting on June 9, 1902, and a ta5u-
lated sheet. showing the various bids
received. was submitted by the witness.
The parts relating to granite paving and
curbs was specified on the sheet. He fol-
lowed this by reading from the minutes of
the committee the disposition that was
made of the contracts. in which 1t was
shown that on May 9th Mr.. King had
by motion had all bids laid on the table
thus delaying the final awarding of the
contract New bids were advertised for
and John C. Weinbrunn, Charles Gasser
and j. A GUIDE We're the only three
contractors to answer the advertisement
Later Mr.. Stratton read from the min
utes where all contracts had been award
ed to the lowest bidders. each of the
three above named men being given a
contract.
GASSER CALLED.
The testimony of Mr.. Stratton had been
listened to attentively by the large
crowd Of spectators. but the calling of
Captain Charles Gasser to the stand was
bo five of ho nf
hearing and a buzz of excitement ran
over the room as he took the witness
chair.
Captain Gasser being witness for the
Commonwealth. Mr.. Richardson conduct
! ed the direct examination.
DO you know Mr.. kng?"
Yes"
Have you ever had any dealing with
MIR. King in regard to the awarding OF
contracts? ?"
Before this question could be answer
ed Mr.. Carter for the first time took a
hand in the fight. He objected on the
grounds that Mr. Richardson had no
right to bring up other than the charges
specified in the Indictment, and Mr..
| Richa rdson waived the question tenn
porarily.
Did you ever have a conversation with
Mr. King in regard to the awarding Of
contracts. CNa DlUS 1Or WHICH were opened
on May 2sth?'
"When?"
I'm April" '
''Where?"
"In his office on Cary Street"
did he send for your
Yes"
What happened in the Officer"
'Mr. King told me the budget had
passed and he wanted ten per cent. OF
the money as his own, and I Informed
him that we could not give that much"
Did you see him again?'
Yes"
'"rell us about 1t.
We'll Mir. King came down to 5000
Under his original demand we would
have had to pay him $1,000, as the budget
called for the expenditure of $4,000. AT
this. same conference he came down to
q .,p and T went to see GUIDE and Vein
brunn.
Did you see King after that?"
No
TELL us who conducted the negotiations
after that?"
Mr.. Guide"
WOULD GET CONTRACTS.
did King ever tell you what would be
done if the money was PAID! ;,
He said we would get the contracts
had NOT seen the bids of GUIDE and Vein
brunn, he knew what they were.
"Did YOU ever make an estimate OF
what each of you would have to pay
King?"
yes; and it was as follows: Vein
hruns. s74.34; GUIDE, $1,000; myself, s166.45. .
Have you ever paid your share?"
mo: I still owe it to Mr.. GUIDE
..Please state to the court whether you
ever had any previous transactions with
Mr.. King"
At this point a long argument was In
dulged in by the attorneys as to whether
the evidence should be admitted. and Jus
tice Crutchfield finally ruled that all evi-
dence concerning transactions in which
King was interested within the twelve
months prior to the time the indictment
was found was competent.
The question was repeated. and Mr..
Gasser answered:
In January of this year Weinbrunn
got a contract for which be agreed to
pay King $780, I got the money from
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