The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-21
TRIAL OF JOHN CLEMENTS
POSTPONED TO OCTOBER
Negro Charged With Attacking Miss
Fannie II. Chcnault Secures
Continuance.
MORBID CROWD IN COURTROOM
Disappointed When Alleged Victim
Fails to Appear-IlIncss OF Mate
rial Witness Is Cause for Delay.
Prosecution Asks Immediate Trial.

NJ the request OF counsel for the de-
Tense. the case OF John Clements the
negro charged with capital crime
against Miss Fannie y. chcnault on
the night of May .. was yesterday
morning continued by Judge George :.
Shackclford. in Eienrico Circuit Court,
until October 27. Continuance Of the
case was granted because of the ILL
ness Of Detective Sergeant krengel. OF
the Richmond police force. a material
witness for the defense.
fvincing the wide interest which the
case has attracted. eager crowds
thronEcd the courtroom long before
the case Was called and the proceed
inSS were watched with ltccncst inter
est by the numerous spectators. The
accused was brought into the court
room shortly before the case was called
for trial. but Miss Chenault. although
in the shcriff's Office adjoining. did not
enter the courtroom.
After the jury had been sworn in, At
torney Gilbert X. Pollock. OF counsel
for the defense. addressing the court.
stated that Detective krengcl, whom
he said was material witness for
the defense, WIS sick in bed and that
it would probably be !, week or more
before he would be able 10 appear as
a witness. ON these grounds u CON
tinuaucc OF the case was asked
DIGGS OPPOSES REQUEST
FOR CONTINUANCE
Attorney Isaac Digs. for the prose
cution, differed with the counsel for
the defense AS To the importance OF
the testimony of the detective. con
tending that the detectives evidence
had already been heard in the lower
court, and that his statements proved
no points which could not be brought
out by the evidence of other Witnesses.
Ordering that the case be continued.
Judge Shackelford stated that the
court dcsUcd the defense To have
whatever witnesses IL could get, and
that inasmuch as the counsel for
the defense had stated that the witness
was a material one. he thought II cS-
pcdient that the case be heard later.
Members of Miss Chcnaults family
were In the courtroom, and took keen
interest in the proceedings. The Com
monwealth and those who believe the
negro guilty We're eager that the case
ne tried at once. Mag iStratc IL :.
Sunday, who presided at the prclmin-
AIRY trial, and who sent the negro on
to the grand jury has been summoned
as Il witness by the prosecution. Dur
ing the past week numerous other wit
ncsscs who did not testify in the lower
court have been summoned. The con
tinuance of the case Yesterday occa-
stoned Il good deal OF surprise and
sympathiZers with the prosecution were
deeply disappointed because OF the de
lay.
Deep interest, mingled with morbid
curiosity. was shown by the spectators
in the courtroom when Clements was
brought in by tile officers and seated
by his attorneys but no demonstration
of any kind resulted. Tho accused ap-
pcarcd to be only passivcly Interested
i'll his surroundings. and was calm
throughout his brief stay in the court
Long days and nights within the walls
of the prison have left their telltale
marks upon the prisoners couutcnancc,
and his manner was submissive.