Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-10-06
HUNDEEY TO CITE RICHMOND
EDITOR.

EDITOR.
Circuit Court judge Brings Contempt
Charge Against DIR. Douglas
s.. Freeman.
Circuit Court Judge VIII Bring Con.
Year Old Negro Without Jury or
Counsel.
Charges Of contempt of court will
be brought against DR.. Douglas S.
Freeman, editor of the News Leader:
William A. Lancaster, a Farmyille
attorney, and John Mitchell, Jr., COL
ored editor and owner of the Rich
mond Planet, at n special term of the
Circuit Court ofS'Charl6tte County
which will be" convened Wednesday
morning by Judge George ]. Hundley
or Farmville. This action Is an after
math of the recent controversy which
arose over the murder trial Of Au-
brey Barrett, the seventeen year old
Negro boy under death sentence for
his completely in the killing Of w. IT.
Roach, of Charlotte County
Wide interest was manifested last
night In the trial Of the three men.
when 1t became known that among
the witnesses who will be called to
Charlotte Courthouse to testify in the
case is Governor Henry c. Stuart. He
Is expected to testify as to what pass
ed between him and Judge Hundlcy
and between himself and Sheriff Prid
dy, OF Charlotte County, before the
trial of the boy, while there were
threats Of mob violence 1t Is probable
however that the Governor may be
allowed to submit affidavits covering
his testimony.
WANTS TO SETTLE QUESTION
AS TO ATTACKS ON COURTS.
Judge Hundley who is in his eight
leth year. last night declined at his
home In Farmvillc to discuss the mat
ter with correspondent Of The Times
Dispatch.He said that while he had
a great respect for the press, especial
~ those papers that had treated him
fairly, he had determined now to have
the question settled, If possible, MS to
paper extends in OBTAINING the courts
and their judges"
News Of Judge Hundley's determine
ton to cite the three men for con-
tempt because of their comments In
connection with the trial of the Ne
gro boy over which Judge Hundley
presided, became public yesterday
when Mr.. Lancaster was approached
In Farmvillo by former Judge Asa D,
Watkins, acting Commemorative at
torney. who inquired whether or not
he and Dr. Freeman would appear in
the court. without tho issuance of a
formal rule.
This inquiry was made by Mr.. Wat
kins. it was said, because 1t would be
necessary for Judge Hundley to re-
turn to Charlotte County before he
could issue the rule, since the law
requires that such an order shall only
be entered in tho district in which the
offense was committed. Had they &C.
cepted the informal service, Dr.. Free
man and Mr.. Lancaster would have
been summoned yesterday to appear
ut Charlotte Courthouse. Their refus.
Sal now makes it necessary for Judge
Hundley to return to Charlotte Coun
ty. 1t Is probable that the rules will
not be issued until Wednesday at the
opening of the special term of the
court and the men directed to appear
for trial at Lnce.
SPECIAL TER. OF COURT
CALLED FOR WEDNESDAY.
That Judge Hundley has had the
matter under consideration for some
time, however, was evident In view
Of recent developments. Early in the
week Governor Stuart designated
Judge r. Carter Scott Of Richmond
to hold the regular term of the Cir
cult Court OF Cumberland County
which convenes Tuesday because
Judge Hundley was otherwise en-
gagged. The trial Of these charges are
the only matters 80 far as could be
learned last night, that will be con-
dered at the special term Of the
court.
The proceedings are said to have
resulted from the editorial comment
or DR.. Freeman and John Mitchell,
IN the controversy that followed the
trial OF the boy and his father, who
was executed on August 80 for his
part III the murder. Mr.. Lancaster,
who was counsel for the elder Barrett
and who retired from the case of the
boy, contributed several communica.
lions to the newspapers in the con.
troVersy which grew exceedingly
warm near its close.
1t was made clear last night that
both Dr.. Freeman and Mr.. Lancaster
would warmly contest the charges, be-
lieying that their criticism was legal
and proper. In event that they are
convicted Of the charges In the Cir
cult Court Of Charlotte County, It was
stated the cases will be appealed to
the Supreme Court Of Appeals, and.
II necessary to the United States Cir.
cult Court Of Appeals.
WILL INSIST ON THE
ISSUANCE OF WRIT
Immediately after Mr.. Lancaster
vac approached yesterday by the Com
monwealth's attorney, he conferred
over the long-distance telephone with
Attorney Harry M. Smith, Jr., in this
city, asking his advice in the matter.
lilo later talked with DR.. Frseman