Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-29
DR.. JOHNSON EXPECTED
TO MAKE STATEMENT
May Tell Frankly Of His Relations
With His Wife aud Other
Women.
!fiNY CHARGES ARE FALSE
Dentist Accused OF Wife Murder
Tells Detectives He Would Like TO
Issue Public Statement Which
Would Clear Up Whole Matter.

Weakening from day TO day by dis
closures which point TO him IS the ono
who poisoned his wife, Alice knight
Johnson. II WAS stated rs the opinion
of Sergeant Detectives Willy and Smith
that Dr.. Lemuel j. Johnson, now in the
City Jail. charged with the murder,
would doubtless make a statement to-
day touching his relation TO the case.
The UuccVerin6 of the purchase OF
cyanide OF potassium by him at tic
drug store OF Gordon Blair. $50 East
Broad Street WAS the closing circum-
stance which leads Sergeant Willy TO
believe that ne will not hold up longer.
In 4 talk with the prisoner yesterday.
ne stated to the detective that many
false charges had been made against
him. ana that he wanted 10 make a
statement clearing UP the entire mat
ter. lie added. however. that he must
wait for the advice of his Counsel.
Sergeant Smith stated last night that
DR.. Johnson expected letter from At
torncy John L. Woodward. OF Wilson.
which he might receive to-day. and out
of which he might receive the advice
relative to a statement.
lust whether any such statement
will be made is a matter of grave
doubt. for it is believed that i: would
jeopardize the hope OF the young dem
tist TO free himself from the web OF
circumstances which the detectives
have succeeded in spinning about him.
Attorney II. II. Smith. Jr., calico; uHon
the prisoner At the Jail yesterday. but
when quericd last night as to whether
he had been retained. stated that he
had no, The attorney would not say
at whose request he Went to tho Jail.
He also stated that II. knew nothing
aboIt DR.. johnson intending to make
any statement.
FATHER HAS SMALL FARM
IN MIDDLESEN COUNTY
The father OF the accused young man
is farmer. residing somewhat moro
than a mile outside the village of Mid
dieseX. lie is the owner Of little
farm OF siNty-fvc acres. and owns
small Homo there. In the Johnson
family there arc eight children all
OF whom live in the little country
home OF their father Detective Wilv
stated yesterday that il is n humble
structure OF two stories. having bar
three rooms, and not at all in keen
ms w itii tCsCi llIllOuS WHICH. lie added.
the young student made at the Kniyu;
home. The detective stated that while
the dentist wis Daying attentions TO
Miss knight he described his fathers
business as that Of a country mcrchar,
with a trade to whose store country.
men came from miles about to deal:
that they owned several automobiles
and many horses. it was stated that
the boys father had one horse ana a
few head of stock.
Tho preliminary hearing in tho case
is set for January 3. but il is ccncr-
ally believed that this hearing will no
waived and tho case certified to the
Hustins3 Court for jury trial. In tho
cTcut that the young dentist should
max" statement confessing that he
Killed his wife. this would not interfere
with making tho plea OF insanity
which has been suggested as tho ono
on which he will rely. 1t has been
intimated. however. that the young
doctor may confront tho state with n
complete denial OF everything, as the
evidence which Is now accumulated
Is Of IL circumstantial nature. Tho
purchase Of tho cyanide need not be
denied, as 1t is q chemical commonly
used by his profession in cleaning In
struments. He stated to students when
Continued on Third PaGe.)