Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-16
GAMBLERS GIVE UP,
EXPECTED TO PLEAD GUILTY IN
POLICE COURT TO-DAY.
TO SAVE THE WITNESSES.
Conference of Omcials,
and Attorneys Yesterday-Ne,v
Warrants Have Been Issued, Per.
mitt1nE the imposition of Light
Jail Sentence.

The gambling cases will probably come
to an end this afternoon in the Police
Court when, it is expected. the accused
men will enter plea of guilty and sub
nit to punishment approximating the
minimum penalty allowed by law.
It cannot be told what is in the mind Of
Justice John J. Crutchfield. who will pre-
side, but the impression prevailed last
night that the imprisonment will not ex-
ceed one day, and that the fine will be
probably s1o0
The result of this compromise-for as
such it will be known after all is done
and said-will be to relieve the host Of
witnesses from appearing to give testi-
mony. If the accused plead guilty to-day,
that will in all probability end the case,
which was set for hearing next Thurs
day.
A Conference Yesterday.
Yesterday morning conference betWee
Commemorative Attorney Richardson,
City Attorney Pollard. and Policeman
WYATT was held in Mr.. Richardson's OIL
flee. The outcome Of this conference was
the issuance of new warrants agalnst tno
eight men who are charged with conduct
ing gambling rooms, Coley Jordan, Billy,
Phelps, Thomas Lyons, Hector. Puryear.
Sam Miller, Anthony, Cartwright, and
Pellegrini.
Mr.. Harry Smith, of counsel for the
defence as soon as he learned that
new warrants had been issued and put
into the hands of Policeman Wyatt to
serve, told the authorities that he would
have his clients in the Police Court to-day,
= ync1
was to save the time and worry OF having
to secure new bonds.
Original and New warrants.
The second warrant charges the ac-
cused with having knowingly allowed
gambling to be conducted on their prem 1
ises. The first warrant charges them
with having and exhibiting games. The
penalty for the first is a fine of not less
than 500 and not more than $1,000, and
Imprisonment for not less than sixty days
and not more than twelve months. The
penalty for the second charge Is the same
as to the fine and the Imprisonment is
for a period not exceeding twelve
months.
It is now believed. upon good authority.
that the men will plead guilty to the sec
ond charge before Judge Crutchfield this
afternoon at O. clock in the Police Court.
Mr.. Smith said last night that he could
not say what his clients would do, as he
had not seen but two of them, and had
not been in consultation with the other
attorneys for the defence, Messrs. Wen
denburg and Glenn. He did say, how
ever, that should his clients plead guilty
the main reason for their doing so would
be to protect those who have been sum-
moned as witnesses.
Mr.. Richardson's Attitude.
r.. p 9io1,a ,5cov v1,hor Ia CT n jOh
said that should the men plead guilty.
he would accept their plea in order that
the many young men summoned as wit
nesses would not have to testify. He
said that he would do everything in his
power to protect them, but that in doing
so he did not intend to allow the inter-
ests of the Commonwealth to suffer.
Should the men plead guilty to the Sec
ond charge it Is expected that Judge
Crutchfield will dismiss the first charge
and impose fine OF $500 and sentence
them to a term of one day in the city
Jail.
"A well-known attorney said last night
that in his opinion the second charge
could be brought against the owners of.
the property and against the real estate
agents having the property in charge. He
said that he did not think that statue was
intended to be construed in any other
manner.
All Concerned Heticent.
The question is, will the men plead
guilty 81 No one could be found last
night who would answer the question in
one word. Mr.. Smith said it was abso-
,lutely impossible for him to- say. and the
attorneys for the Commonwealth said like
wise. Mr. Wyatt. when seen, would have
nothing to say. The case was to have
been tried Thursday on The first charge
but. as stated before. 1t is expected that
the hrst charge viii be dismissed Il the