Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-03-27
The Trial of Johnson.

not discharge O weapon In the scuf1e
when he escaped arrest and when Smith
was killed on upper King street on the
goth of last October. Some time before
that, be claims, he fred two shots over
his head toward a crowd after he bad
engaged in a iracas and was running
away. In regard to 8 bullet wound
received 10 bis right leg that nigh! be
states that be Was struck by shot fred
By some one unknown TO him as he fed
from the fair grounds.
johnson claims that Smith gas prob
ably killed by q negro named Frank
Minor, who WAS with the defendant the
evening OF the murder and who Is now
at large.
Johnsor's stay in the county jail has
been uneventful. No semblance of an
indication on the part Of any one TO
modest him has appeared nor Is there
any indication in this city of the desire
on the part of any one in Alexandria
to cause q disturbance 10 connection
With Johnson's case.
johnson was taken from the county
iaIl this morning about z O'Clock. and
half an hour later, accompanied BY tho
Fredericksburg military company, was
placed on an electric train and conduct
ed to this city. There we're many people
on King street endeavoring to get q look
at the prisoner, who was handcufed to
one of the soldiers, and when the train
reached Royal street the crowd had be-
come more dense. The train passed
down Royal street TO Prince, where 1t
turned east to Fairfax, thence to King,
where johnson was removed from the
car and escorted By the soldiers 70 the
station house where he was placed In 8
cell. The military company took pos
session of the half square from Market
alley to Cameron street and no one I'M
authorized was allowed to pass on the
west side of the street or to enter the
front door of the station house. They
were also stationed at the doors inside.
Many people had gathered 10 the
vicinity, but everything Was serene, the
crowd being composed Of curiositY-seek-
ers, not mischief.mskers. The younger
generation followed the electric trsin as
It moved through the streets with as
much interest az attaches to the entry
of circus band wagon.
About ten O'clock johnson Wss taken
from the cell and escorted 10 the dock in
the Corporation Court room. The crowd
IN the square on Fairfax street, between
King and Cameron streets. had In the
meantime become more dense, but the
soldiers kept them lined up on the esst
side OF the street, no unauthorized per-
son being allowed to approach OF suier
the station house or courtroom. Alter
johnson had been placed 10 the dock q
number of soldiers surrounded him and
the prisoner was scrutiDiSed closely by
all present.
a few minutes after ten o'clock the
court was called TO order, when MIR. r.
d. Brumback, counsel for the defense,
arose and stated that he and Mr.. Howard
W. Smith had been sppointedto represent
the prisoner, and that they should have
ample time 10 study the case, as the lie
of q human being was at stake. Conn-
sel for johnson hsd had virtually but
one day to prepare defense, while the
Commonwealth Attorney had had since
LAST October. The defense should be
allowed at least week, but request
would be made for day or two only.
The counsel for the accused had had no
time to interview witnesses. He, there
fore, asked a continuance for two days.
MIR. Brent said be saw no reason TO
delay the trial, as Mr. Smith had hsd
ample time, while Mr. Brumback had
probably not had az much.
Judge Barley was not disposed To
grant the motion. He stated that be
would adjourn the court early In order
to allow Johnson's counsel ample time.
BE would, however, select the jury to-
day.
Mr.. Smith took exception TO the in
dictmsnt sgsinst johnson for murder IL
che drst degree. This was Oyerruled
M. Smith also noted an exception to 1
yenire from this city, sud moved that
Jury be selected from another city Of
county, az It was not probable that thu
accused would receive fair trial II
Alexandris. he also described the safe
guard which had been thrown srount
The prisoner 10 prevent him from beinl
lynched, as showing the feeling against
the prisoner.
Judge Barley replied by saying tbs
he would nee that johnson bad q fsi
trial.
Mr.. Brent said 1t was well-knowI
Law that an effort should be made 10 ge
jury 10 city OF county where tn
pneuse was committed.
Judge Barley overruled the motion
and counsel for the defense noted sn OK
ception.
The work Of selecting = jury was thel
begun.
Sixteen of the one hundred person
aummonL we're placed In the box ant
uworn, and the indictment read to thea
by the indge, after which the usual cues
lions we're put TO them as TO whsthe
they had formed opinions concerning n
case. whether those opinions we're OF
nature requiring evidence to remove them
whether they had publicly expressed
opinions aud whether or not they believe
In capital punishment. Several scknow
lodged that they we're debafred iron
serving as jurymen from the fact ina
they had either expressed or entertaine'
opinions, and were excused.
When the sixteen Jurors had beel
chosen ME. Brent asked that Messrs. j