Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-14
ACCUSED ROBBER
PROVES AN ALIBI
Detective Kellam's Sudden Testimony
Saves Negro Jackson from Trial.

n
Saves Negro Jackson from Trial.
Thomas Jackson. coIorei. accused
OF a crime punishable by death In the
electric chair, unexpectedly turned
the tables on his accusers In police
court today by proving an alibi
through the testimony of a detective
when an arrangements had been com
pleted 60 send HIS case 20 the grand
jury.
Jackson was arranged on a charge
OF holding up. assaulting and at
tempting 20 rob T. S. Goodman. "a
white man. the night of April I6.
Every stage OF the hearing was
marked by dramatic and unusual
situations.
Goodman told OF being approach.
cd by a negro at Beach and Main
Streets between 1880 and IL o'clock
az night. My assailant brandished
knife or razor and commanded me
TO throw up my hands," he said. Il
resisted him and the man attempted
20 cut my throat. He slashed my coat
into shreds and inflicted q wound on
each side OF my neck.
After a short struggle I managed
10 make my escape. 7 was not robbed
Of anything"
Goodman exhibited q coat that had
been sliced into ribbons and a blood
stained linen collar that was nearly
severed in the back.
Mr.. Goodman, where is the per
son who held you up?" inquired JUS
tice Crutchheld.
That is the man" instantly re
piled the Commonwealth chief wit
ness. He pointed his finger, accusing
ly. at Jackson.
Justice Crutchfield was then told
that Goodman had been taken to the
city Jail after Jackson's arrest and
asked TO pick out his assailant from
among twenty colored men lined up
before him. Without hesitation
Goodman had singled out Jackson,
saying at the time, however, that the
negrO's hair must have been recently
cut, as IL was bushy the night OF the
attempted robbery.
The police learned that Jackson 3
hair was shaved of after the night
OF April &c. When a cap was placed
on the prisoners head Goodman said
there could be no doubt OF his iden.
tity OF the highwayman.
Bicycle Policeman Palmer told OF
his long chase for the negro when
he was captured a week ago. and
said Jackson had admitted 10 friends
that he robbed a man"
Testifying for the defendant, sew
eral colOred men then attempted TO
show that he was not responsible for
the crime Their statements were
conflicting and unconvincing, so dis
gusting Justice CTutcbheld that he
denounced the witnesses as liars"
while he prepared to send the case
20 a higher court.
At this point there was a surprise
4 know this niger" said Acting
Detective Kellam. Y chased him for
long distance the very night of this
hold-up. ] had a warrant for his ar
rest on a minor charge. and would
have shot him down il he had been
wanted for felony"
Commemorative Attorney Folkes
was interested at once.
Where were you chasing Jack
SOM" the attorney asked.
THE last time ] saw him he was
at Seventeenth and Marshall Streets
a few minutes after II o'clock" was
the reply.
Justice Crutchheld made some
mental calculation.
That wasn't long before Goodman
was held up" said the judge. land
] don't believe he could have got
ten TO Beach and Main Streets in
time TO have committed that of
Tense"
There was a hasty consultation in
which IL was agreed that Jackson
could not have covered more than