The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-14
Merchant Also Had Drug ii
Pocket, but Knew Nothing
Clerk Declares.
is LYING, FoLKEs SUGGESTS
Clever Ruse to Get Both Men
Off-Negro Witness Match
for Lawyer.

Admitting that his mania for money
converted him into a wholesale cocaine
dealer, Edward McDermott, clerk
employed by s. ]. London, the alleged
dope king of Richmond. testified under
oath in the Hastings Court yesterday
that he alone was guilty, and that
London himself was ignorant of the
illegal traffic carried on under his roof.
Although the witness was acquitted
in the Police Court, when, according
10 his confession now, he had been
selling the drug extensively for
months. the Commonwealth is still de-
termined to convict him. without show
ing the least disposition to permit
London to escape. Before Common
wealttl's Attorney Folkes had concluded
the merciless cross examination of Nc
Dermott. the court took recess until
10 o'clock this morning. when the deal
err will be grilled again.
Accused McDcrmott of Lying.
While the employe was emphasizing
his statement that London was limo
cent the prisoner stroked his chubby
red beard and seemed to see visions of
hope But when Mr.. Folkes shouted at
the witness and asked If he did not
know he was lying. the employer shut
fled uneasily in his seat, cold beads of
perspiraticn streaming down his face.
Seized with terror London permitted
his faint smile to disappear. He sat
motionless, very picture of despair.
For moment the jury appeared to be
hit doubtful as to the identity of the
real liar.
Without the least attempt to conceal
his connection with the traffic Nc
1lTf.y so Il u.
people approached him for cocaine that
his shrewd business acumen Convinced
him that he could pick up something
by carrying cocaine as side line while
collecting for London's instalment fur
niture shop. He did not sell 1t in 10
cent packages. He sold it by the ounce,
paying $3.50 an ounce, and frequently
making 200 per cent. on the transac-
ton. II was left for Judge Witt to
develop one line of evidence
Where did you get that cocaine?"
asked the court
McDermfGt spared in making reply.
'Whens did you get that cocaine: Z"
Judge Witt repeated. in tone which
forced the witness to turn quickly in
his chair.
From man named Horace" he
answered. Il don't know his other
name. He came to my house one night
and told me he understood that / was
selling it. He offered to supply me.
We made a trade. and he came about
every week, bringing the drug in a
dress-suit case. Horace told me he had
other customers"
"Merely to Save I.ondon:"
Mr.. Harry NJ. Smith, with whom M.
Gilbert X. Pollock is associated for
the defense, remarked that he did not
know at the moment how far they
could lead the inquiry in that direction.
When McDermott admitted that he did
not want to get anybody in trouble,
Mr.. Folkes broke in quickly with the
statement: But you want TO get Lon
don out of it." Mr.. Smith entered a
violent objection.
Judge Witt suggested that they
might so right on into the Horace
question, The witness explained that
he bought his first stock from local
dealers, after he got the money craze,
but subsequently, transferred his bust
ness to the unknown Horace, who came
from Philadelphia.
If Mr.. Folkes will promise not to
bother the others, YOU might tell him
MeDermott, that you will give him tho
names"
"1'll promise nothing" replied Mr..
Folkes. hut Will ask questions my
self"
1uuSc VIII declared that the Com
nonwealth could promise immunity to
none of them
Sold to Poor Whites and Negroes.
McDermott related the history Of his
life up 10 the time he secured employ
ment with London. While on collect
Ing trips among the negroes and poorer
classes of whites, he was frequently
asked for coke He was accused OF
selling IT, and all at once he decided 10
deal in IT, He explained that Joe
Bland gave him So for an ounce of ii,
Mcpermott telling him IT would be al
Lohdon's store whom he called or sent
messenger. Bland sent a messengers
London delivered the package. and n
few minutes later when the ofIcers
made tho arrest as they testified Ton-
don took bottle from his pocket and
meekly turned II over. This part of
the evidence fatty eontradicted' the
statement Of McDermott that London
knew nothing OF the traffic and was
ignorant of what the package con.
tanned.
II told the officers" said the witness
"that the drug belonged Ia me tbat
London was innocent. The "colSen W.,
handled as my side line, I'm done with
the business now. ] regret that ever
sold 1t. but am trying now 10 lead a
better life. ~ was my mania for
money that prompted me TO sell H. !