The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-15
FOR THE GRAND JURY.

Oh i 1IN-t.N II III III
Officer Purvear, who on Tuesday OF Far
Ink shot and killed man who resented having
IN accosted while with woman companion
The public highway has been dismissed ny a
Seistrate Of Heurico county, before whom he
~ arranged for examination upon probable
Inser.
] The decision whereby II man who has slam
N6ther. under circumstances that are, 10 say
Il very least. highly suspicious, Is dismissed
! 10 at large without bail Is chiefly remarkable
J that it had been thoroughly discounted. In
.ped, Immediately after the killing Of " lllams
Il Puryear, this same magistrate who now tlnds
= probable cause If guilt in the slayer Is re-
.ofted By ali the newspapers To have announced
III in all cases coming before him, where 1t
~ shown that AN officer Of the law had killed
q man after blow, he would discharge the
isoner. This declaration. it Is true, was made
~ case where il was clearly shown that the
kcer involved had fred In self defense and at
desperate prisoner desperately resisting ar
~ Coming II did immediately after the
wing Of Williams and after the case had been
= for hearing before this particular magistrate
nevertieless clearly foteshadowed an inten
% which now stems to have been carried out TO
letter.
Ihe natural effect Of decisions of this char
- is to give a certain license 10 policemen 10
"a blood. Such policy invites trouble. 1t
- to hold open TO the qualification of pas
- an easy and safe door. 1t incies, instead Of
trains, the human tendency of the man who is
1 ! policeman to vent his personal wrath IN a
IDLY way. Understand that this was no hear
for the determination of guilt. Il was "A
edlminarv examination undertaken merely ia
cytain whether the circumstances Of the ease
ti6ed the magistrate in binding over the pri,-
- for the action Of the grand jury. In such
minaiions the burden of proof is shifted from
rule obtaining III a trial i'll court before a
ND. Ii the State establishes probable cause =
eexaci and panstaking machinery 81 the law
Duld be given opportunity 10 determine tho
pective rights between the State, which is con
3ned in the keeping Of the peace and the pre-
yatlon OF life, and the prisoner, who for any
1nse has taken life. Under these circumstance.
M nos remotely prejudement of the evidenc,
nlnsi the accused for Us 10 say that the de-
sson is question was one that was highly IN
rtunate when tho interests of good order ar,
lsidered.
All the theory and argument IN the world can
81 clear this case Of the fact that Williams
d his companion were i'll no wise engaged il
10rder. They were where they had clca
<hf to be, OH the public highway. 1t canno
y CLOSED over that the assault was directly pre-
pltaied BY officers dressed in plain clothes who
might and without declaration of their person
51y or purpose, nnwarrantaby accosted
4ceful couple i'll a public place, If. havin.
4k provoked an assault. an officer is 10 be per
lifted 10 20 free without trial for-rc>entins
pw with a shot, the precedent established l.
10 whose danger and abuse are certain To grow
Il magnify themselves with time
Under all the circumstances, the Common
Snlths attorney takes the only course open t.
~ IN insisting despite the magistrates dc
Ion, upon grand jury investigation. Til,
Magistrate, Of course. has no final power II,
Fly has the opportunity for temporary ar
4rary decision. That opportunity he has ex
1881. In the interest Of the public safety, il
needtul regard for renewed emphasis npol
EsaIsfe Of II life that has been unpardonabl,
eapened, it is 10 be hoped that the grand lur,
measure up 10 his duty Of careful examina
ns OF all the facts and equally fearless actor
the light Of them
III killing such a. that of ,Jeiiic Williams j.
Emitted to without even the fornalf,
trial 10 inquire into lis justification. human
has indeed been cheapened in this conilnun
~ an extent carrying a distinct menace /,
ety man who exercises his right 10 walk abroa,
II take the air.
1t