Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-15
WALKER IS DISMISSED
ON CHARGE OF MURDER
Justice Crutchfleld Disposes OF War.
rant Against Boy Who
Shot His Father.
CLAIMS IT WAS ACCIDENTAL
Difficult to Distinguish Who Was
Behind Screen, Testifies Coroner.
evidence May BE Laid Before
Grand Jury by Police Department.

after nearing mass OF conflicting
,Ies.iHony In Police Court yesterday,
ra aSice Crutchfeld dismissed the war
ian. charging Russell Walker, colored
win the murder OF his father, Ar.
instead Walker, at his home. 107 East
Eeigh street. on the night OF June 20.
,, oiio"ing the noncommittal verdict OF
tme corohers jury. the decision OF the
nithough Detective Sergeant wiltshire
was confident that he had produced
sulhcient evidence to justify holding
the defendant for the action of tho
grand jury. $40
Coroner Taylor. who stopped tho
burial Of Walkers body in order 10
perform an autopsy, described the ma
lure OF the dead mans wounds and
gave his opinion that Walker did NOT
intend TO XIII his father The son has
eoi.ehded mat he mistook the older
man Tor a burglar. and fred nj a
shadow showing through a screen on
the pack porch OF the home Tic
coroner stated that the fatal shot nrcd
ny russell Walker was chance one
Inc ball entered the victims left
iempie' passed through the brain and
lodged against the skull In the back
of the head.
DIFFICULT TO DISTINGUISH
WHO WAS BEHIND SCREEN
Or. Taylor said that II would have
been exceedingly difficult for young
walker to have distinguished his
iathcr through the screen on account
of tho darkness. He did not recall
seeing any lights on the rear porch
when he made his Investigations short.
~ after the killing. and he experienced
considerable difficulty in getting tho
locations properly in view OF the cir
cumstances.
Detective Sergeant Wiltshire, who
was detailed on the case the night OF
opinion Russell Walker could easily
nave seen that the man on the other
side OF the screen was his father He
said no did not need light to mako
his Investigations. The officer told Of
cohnicting statements made by young
Walker and his mother on the night
of the tragedy. and said that fifteen
or twenty minutes elapsed before any
one was notified OF the shooting. The
police even then were not told OF the
AFFAIR. and learned OF II only by chance
What tho prosecution considered Of
great Importance wRs the evidence Of
Is, I. Turner. colored. secretary of the
Richmond Athletic and Social Club, who
iold OF an attempt by Russell Walker
TO borrow pistol from him shortly
before the shooting. The son said his
father had sent him for the revolver
10 keep off burglars. Turner said he
did not care TO trust the boy with
the gun. so he took II TO Armistcad
Walker himself. The shooting occurred
within n few minutes after he deliv-
cred the pistol to the elder Walker.
Other witnesses testified as to the
time which elapsed between the shoot
ing and the giving OF the alarm by
the Walkers.
Commemorative Attorney Folkcs.
who conducted the prosecution, and H.
III. Smith. Jr.. who represented tho
Walkers. did not argue the case and
Justice Crutchfeld made no comment
on the evidence other than to an
nouncc that the warrant was dismissed.
1t was intimated at police head
quarters last night that the evidence
may he laid before the grand jury.
The action of Justice Crutchhcld in
Diminishing the warrant does not bar
this course.