Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-11
KING FOUND GUILTY,
SENTENCED TO A YEAR IN JAIL
AND TO PAY 800
GOES TO HUsTINGs COURT.
There, On the 23d Instant, Final
Fight VIII Come.
THE Ex-ALpERMAs,s DEFENCE.
snid Money Deposited in Bank Wa.
borrowed From D. o,su11ivan, who
corroborated This story-Justice
Crutchfe1d Caused Sensation BY
Making Contractors Confess to
Pcriury-Two Sessions of Court.


The trial of the case Of the Common
wealth against ex-Alderman John NJ
King who was. indicted on the charge of
accepting the promise of brl5e from
Captain Charles Gasser. resulted yes
terday in the Police Court in convic-
ton. and the judgment Of the presiding
justice. Mr.. John j. Crutchfield. is that
Mr.. King be fined 500 and that he be
confined in the city Jail for twelve
months
Immediately after the announceme ent
of the judgment of the Justice, an appeal
to the Hastings Court was noted, and
the judgment was suspended and the
accused bailed in the penalty of Sl,oo
for his appearance in the Hastings Court
on September 23rd. when and where the
accused will avail himself of his con-
stitutional right Of a trial by his peers.
The bail bond was Immediately executed
with Mr. D. O'Sullivan. the well-knoWn
Main street merchant, as his surety. The
witnesses for the Commonwealth were
also recognized for their appearance.
The Days Sensation.
The only real sensa ton of the trial
closed by the defence. when Messrs.
GUIDE and Weinbrunn, who had testified
that they paid Mr.. King for paving con-
tracts. were recalled by Justice Crutch-
field and were asked the direct question,
whether they had not, on former occa-
sions. made statements under oath that
they had not paid for city paving con-
acts?
Mr.. GUIDE replied frankly and promptly
that he had done SO, but it was some
time before Mr.. Weinbrunn would admit
that he had sworn falsely. He did final
~ admit that he had testified before
the grand jury that he had not palu
for the contracts. but claimed that TINS
was done to save Mr.. King, tnd because
he had been advised by Mr.. Kings for
mer counsel (Mr. Wendenburg), that ii
would be better for him to remain quiet,
as "he was exactly in the same box with
Mr.. King
The evidence of the three contractors
went TO completely exonerate all of the
members of the Street Committee who
served with Mr. King.
Required Two Sessions.
The hearing of the case occupied two
sessions Of the court After the regular
docket for the day was disposed OF. the
King case was called. This was about
II o'clock, and for three hours Justice
Crutchf1eld wrestled with the evidence
of the witnesses for the Commonwealth
and the argument of counsel. in the ma
ture of objections to sundry questions.
The arguments were not lengthy, and
were frequently cut short by an inter-
ruption from the justice who was ready
to decide TIE question at issue without
argument.
AT. the conclusion of the Common
wealth's evidence the hearing was ad-s
journed until o'clock. Promptly at that
time it was resumed. Mr.. King going on
the witness stand in his own behalf. He
denied in toto Inc charge against him,
and claimed that he had never had any
business relations whatever with Messrs.
Guide, GaSSer. or Weinbrun.
He testified as to where he procured
money on the day he was reputed to have
received a payment from Mr.. Gasser of
$3.50. and to have made a deposit of the
same amount in the American National
Bank. which seemed to dispose Of the
only circumstantial evidence adduced by
the prosecution. He claimeu to have bor-
rowed the money from Mr.. D. O'6ullivan.
and the latter. later, gave similar testi-
mony.
Submit without Argument.
The Commonwealth was represented by
commemorative Attorney David G.
Richardson and Mr. King was defended
8
Meredith. At the close Of the testimony
the case was submitted without argu-
ment, but at the request of Justice
Crutchfield brief arguments were made.
Mr. Richardson summed up the prosecu-
ton and asked for the conviction of the
accused, and Mr.. Meredith replied briefly.
claiming that there was not sufficient
evidence before the court to warrant
conviction. He closed by asking for the
acquittal of the accused Accusing the
contra ctors of perjury. he declared they
were not worthy Of belief.
The case will now be transferred to the
Hastings Court where it will in all pro-
liability be tried by a jury on September
3D. 1t is expected that much more
determined effort will be made for the
liberty of the prisoner in the Hastings
Court It was generally conceded last
night that when the case is tried In the
higher court that the attorneys for Mr..
King will make the greatest effort OF
their lives to secure from the jury COM
plete exoneration for their client. and 1t
was the general opinion that If the jury
finds against Mr.. King the sentence will
be lighter
Temper of the Crowd.
IT was claimed by many yesterday even
ing that the crowd in the courtroom
during both sessions of the court seemed
ia be favorable to the prisoner, and once.
inst as Mr.. Meredith took his seat. after
making his appeal for the discharge OF
Mr. King. there was an attempt in the
.a.5. oe tbe room, fo applaud mis- effort,