Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-04-23
End of CeIe lliIed Prosecution.

The trial of the case Of the Common
wealth vs. John Jones was set for trial last
Tuesday, and veDire had been summon
ed from Russell county to try the case. In
response to the summons the following
citizens of Russell arrived at Tazewell on
Monday afternoon: w. G. Fugate, R. A.
Sutton, w. H. Salyer, T. j. Tate, T.. B.
Fields, ]. w. Bostic, w. N. Banner, l.. j.
johnson, ]. p. Gibson, F. M. Gibson, j..
Nj. Osborne, E. NJ. Ireson, j. M. Porter,
C. E. Dickinson, j. F. Hanson, F. K. h..
Fugate, w. G. Gray, w. G. Gilmer and f..
Bucklen.
The case was called in the county court
on Tuesday morning, counsel for the pro-
secution and defense being present, and
the same as at the trial of George Jones'
Upon the calling Of the case propositions
we're made for compromise verdict, and
after some consideration of the matter a
compromise was agreed upon; and in ac'
cordance Herewith verdict was rendered
finding the accused, John Jones, guilty Of
involuntary manslaughter, and fixing bis
punishment at confinement in the peni-
entary for a term Of one year. Thus
ends one of tile most celebrated prose-
cutions for homicide ever made in Taze
we'll county.
The day after Thanksgiving, in 1901,
John G. Watts was killed near bis home,
in this county, by George Jones under cir
cumstances that are familiar to our read.
ers. At the time the homicide was com.
mitted j. w. Jones, the father, and John
Jones, the brother of George Jones, were
present. All three of the JOKES were ac-
cused of participating in the crime, and
feeling ran very high against them. They
came to town, surrendered to the author
tiles and were lodged in Jail. They made
appli cation fol bail before the Judge of the
county court, but bail was refused. An
Indictment was found against the three at
the next term of the county court; and at
the January term, 1902, they were brought
to trial in that court. 1t was a very ex-
citing trial, and the best legal talent of the
country was engaged for the prosecution
and defense Large crowds were in at
tendance each day, and excitement was
intense. When the case was given to the
jury its verdict Was awaited with grave in
terest. The jury found j. w. Jones not
guilty, but found George and John Jones
guilty of murder in the second degree and
fixed their punishment at confinement IN
the penitentiary for term of ten years,
each. Counsel for the accused made
motion to set aside the verdict and grant
a new trial. for various errors committed
by the court. The principal error urged
was to the venire facias, which had not
conformed to the provisions of the statute.
TIE county court refused to set aside the
verdict and grant the new trial. There
upon the case was taken by writ of error
to the circuit court; and that court at the
April term, 1902, Judge Jackson presi-
ding, affirmed the judgment Of the county
court. Application was then made to the
Supreme Court of Appeals ofVirginia for
writ oferror. 1t was granted by that court,
and at its June term, 1902, at Wytheville,
the Supreme Court reversed tie ruling of
the circuit court, set aside the verdict and
ordered a new trial in the county court.
AT the August term, 1902, of the county
court of Tazewell county the case of the
Commonwealth vs., George and John Jones
was again called, and the prisoners elected
to be tried separately. George Jones was
then put upon trial, and the result was
that the jury found him guilty of volun-
tary manslaughter and fixed his term of
confinement in the pententiary at three
years. This verdict was accepted for the
accused, and he is now serving out his
term. Bail was then asked for John Jones
and granted by the court. His case has
been continued at each succeeding term
until the present one, and has now been
concluded as reported above.
Thus ends in court this celebrated case.