The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-10-30
hearing or CHARGES
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forfeitures set aside without his know
ledge, and when he was not in court.
Knew nothing of his personal knowl-
edge of improper conduct and would
not repeat hearsay or permit an opin-
ion of his to go into record.
R. S. Hall, district attorney, was the
last witness on stand prior to recess
taken till p. m. He went into many
details relative to criticism passed on
Judge Johnson and gave his explana-
ton of each one with which. as district
attorney, he had been connected; as
sumed blame, if any there be, for many
of the court proceedings charged
against Judge Johnson; stated j. E.
Davis indictment was discouraged by
him in the grand jury room, and after
talking with ]. R. Tally, chief state wit
ness, considered that the accused act
ed without criminal intent and on his
motion court entered nol-pross. Judge
Johnson and he never discussed the
case before motion made Witness said
remission of days and reduction of fine
! in Carrie owens case was at instance
of himself and county attorney upon
special urgent request. The Board of
supervisors request was granted by
Judge Johnson reluctantly. Mr.. Hall
paid high tribute to Judge Johnson's
personal life. Said he neither drinks,
uses profanity, and smokes rarely.
Language and life pure and chaste.
Capt. Rich.
c. w. Rich, first witness Wednesday
afternoon said he was never in John
sons court except for few minutes
at time. He was indicted for not
filming second offense liquor violators
while serving as police justice of Hat
tiesburg. One of Johnson's friends
]. E. Davis-was indicted for alter
ing court records and Davis case was
nol-prossed. Common rumor is that
Davis and Johnson are very friendly,
but could see no reason why Davis
should receive any special favors from
! the court.
Capt. Rich said the indictments
against him were dismissed by agree
ment with the district attorney and
his attorney and later placed back on
the docket because Johnson said they
were dismissed without the knowledge
of the court. These cases have never
I been tried, though witness has always
! been ready for trial. Judge Johnson
said in view of the fact that he and
Rich do not speak since they had a
fight two years ago, he would not ask
the witness any questions.
oliver Rodgers.
Oliver Rodgers testified that he sold
Judge Johnson brick store, and fully
explained the transaction. Said he
went to Judge Johnson with. the propo-
sition and that the matter was not
initiated by Judge Johnson. Rodgers
son acted as the go-between for John
son and himself after he was incar-
cerated in Laurel Jail.
Justice of the Peace Farley testi-
fled that his information was that
cases from his court on which j. E.
Davis took appeals were never called
in Circuit Court. He furnished a list of
cases that had been lost from his
court.
Little George"
George Hammer ('Little George")
was brought into the court room and
was asked as to the treatment he had
received at the hands of the court il
which Judge Johnson presides. He
had no complaint to make of tho
Judge.
Hub. Donald.
Following Little George" was HUI
, Donald, who had a grievance in the fac
that he had been sentenced by Judge
johnson to two years in the peniten
tiary when his attorney, Bart Shar
brough, had assured him that if h,
plead guilty to the charge of larceny
he would be given sentence of only
six months. Had he not been thus in
duced to plead guilty, he could have
convicted the real criminal guilty o.
the crime of which he was tried. An
swering Judge Johnson's question if il
was ne who made him believe he would
get off on a siX-month's sentence, for
a plea of guilty, Donald aid it was