Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-22
ENTERED INSANITY PLEA.

IN the penitentiary.
ENTERED INSANITY PLEA.
There was nothing left for him to
do but 20 plead insanity. which he
did. North Carolina justice is some
times tempered with mercy-too
much mercy Il proved in his case.
The plea OF insanity was successful.
\ jury was made 70 believe that in
his case man who would delibe-
rately take another mans money
under a representation that he would
invest II In profitable enterprise.
and. falling 20 do that. had devoted
II 70 MS own purposes. was not in
his right mind. So Davis was sent 10
the state asylum for the insane. He
remained in the madhouse for four
or I'VE years, and, there having come
70 the authorities OF the institution
no report that he had attempted to
fleece any Of his fellow inmates. and
the people To a large extent having
forgotten him. Davis was quietly re-
leased as cured.
He came TO Washington eleven
years ago last January. where I'M
fortunately, the mania for getting
his hands upon the money of others
again seized him. and for ten wears
was his controlling passion. Now that
discovery has come. Davis is again
seeking extenuatiou and a release
from prosecution on the ground of n
disordered mind. Locating himself
here, Davis opened an Office and rem
resented himself as a lawyer So far
as can be learned. he never appeared
as an attorney OF record in any case
in the local courts.
he had a suite of Offices In the
Columbian building. in Fifth street
opposite the City Hall. but few law
yers ABOUT the courthouse had more
than speaking acquaintance with
the man. Many never knew him at
all. except by name, until his arrest
and exposure came a few DAYS ago.
They sometimes saw him coming and
gong from his Offices. out they sim
ply thought him an attorney who
gave most or his attention to real
estate matters and investments and
mad little business in the courts. Az
matter of fact, Davis appears to
nave spent most OF his time visiting
MS victims and encouraging them TO
make larger and larger invest
ments" with him.
SELECTED VICTIMS CAREFULLY
Inc average person with money IN
invest and a sufficient amount OF bns-
mess instinct to distinguish a deed
OF trust from death warrant would
nave SHE'D at once at any OF tbe
mans propositions But Davis din
not elect to have his transactions
with that sort of people. He seemed
10 nave almost unerring judgment
IN the selection of his victims and
ms plan in general was the same
with all of them.
one of the first moves he made nm.
on coming to Washington was To en-
roll himself in church MEMBERSHIPS
and a bigger hypocrite never crossed
the threshold of a house of vorebi,,
In his religious work he was more
ueFout' He was regular attendant
at services There couldn't be too
many meetings on Sunday for him
TO attend, and he was even a leading
spirit at the midweek prayer meet
ings. Being gifted with some auencv
or speech. he was a ready talker
when there was occasion for anv
member of the congregation 10 make
remarks.
was there subscription list pass
ed around to aid any worthy cause
the name OF John {. Davis was GER
tam TO be upon 1t. and we'll toward
the top and usually for a substantial