The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-16
TO DEMAND BOND
FROM NJ OERM0TT
Hastings Court May Require
Money Guarantee That He Will
Sell No More Cocaine.

Because OF tho confession that he
has been selling cocaine for months.
and has thereby been menace to the
community, 1t was said yesterday that
Judge Witt would probably put Ed
ward McDermott. sometimes known as
McDearman, under a heavy bond to
prevent the possibility OF his en-
gaging in the traffic again. In tn.
event that he cannot give security.
the star witness in the London trial
may be sent to Jail for period OF
twelve months.
Some time ago. when George qatsa
L a dope dealer, was tried in the Hus-
tings Court, he got the full jail
penalty-thirty days--but Judge Wits
decided that he would have to give
bond in addition. This made his term
thirteen months. and he would have
served 1t. except for the fact that
friends went to his rescue. Thoroughly
penitent. McDermott stated to the
court that he would never deal in
cocaine again, but 1t is likely that
something more than his word will be
required as guarantee.
Although he was unable to give the
names of his purchasers, except in a
few instances. the police believe that
he was engaged extensively in the un-
lawful traffic If that be true Nc
Dermott unquestionably made a small
fortune from his black and poor white
customers.
Man IL Lying, Says Folkcs.
When the London trial is resumed
this morning at 10 o'clock, the strong
est possible effort will be made on the
| one hand to convict, and on the other
| to acquit the merchant. Carrying out
| the suggestion heretofore made dur
| ing the hearing, Commonwealth's At
| torney Folkcs will be merciless in his
arraignment of McDermott. and will
spare no terms in branding as untrue
| his statement that London is inno-
/ cent. The Commonwealth will rely
mainly upon the testimony of police
officers, who stated that when they
/ went into the furniture store to make
! the arrest, London meekly took a bor-
tie OF cocaine from his pocket and
gave it up. This link will be sed to
show that he was cognizant of the
traffic, even If he had. 40 financi in
terest in the trading of his clerk,
me defense, on the other hand. will
depend upon the testimony of McDer-
mott and the Londons-father and
son-to secure verdict of not guilty.
| With these conflicting statements the
burden will rest finally upon the Jury.
the contention of the Commonwealth
I being that the crime as charged in
tho warrant was proved beyond all
| question of doubt.
Even if he should be found guilty.
London cannot be sent to the peni-
Tertiary, as the offense occurred pre-
| Vious to the enactment of a new law.
which will make cocaine selling a moro
serious crime.
| Public Violently Aroused
There was never time in the his
| tory of the city when the public was
more violently demanding the con
vtction of the INSCRIPTIONS persons
who-have endangered the lives of inno-
cent people by the wholesale selling of
cocaine. Robert Faulkner. who shot
a number of persons on East Frank
/ lin Street two weeks ago, was loaded
with the drug-bought from some
dealer who dispensed 1t as freely as
McDermott With their hands practi-
cally tied because of the light penalty
/ under the old law, the police were un-
| able to break up the traffic as effec-
lively as they will be able to do in
the future. There can be no question
about the determination of Judge Witt
to punish the guilty. He has already
declared war on the selling crooks.
| and those who appeal to him for mercy
| viii appeal without hope. In the end
everything depends upon the jury The
| court, however, still has the right to
| put alleged dealers under heavy bond,
/ and it is unlikely that Judge Witt will
neglect that opportunity.
|