Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-29

Paper Held To Be In CONTEMPT or
Court In Certain Comments on The
Circumstances of The Trial of The
Negro Youth, Aubrey Barrett, Who
Is Under Sentence Of Death, Now
Awaiting Execution-William Ian
caster, Counsel for Tho Two Ne
groes, Must Answer For Statements
In Communications to Newspapers.
Judge George J. Hundley Of the ju-
dicial circuit embracing Charlotte
county, has determined ITO Issue
rule RECURRING DR.. Douglas s. Free
man, editor Of The News Leader to ap
peat at the next term TO answer 10 a.
charge or contempt OF court. The pro
ceeding grows out OF editorial COM
ment in The News Leader concerning
the case Of Aubrey Barrett, a Negro
youth under death sentence for kill
ing. These editorials were written
by DR.. Freeman.
VIM. A. Lancaster, who was counsel
at the rtial Of the elder Barrett, but
who retired from the case of Aubrey
he declares, before the latter plead
ed to the indictment, also will be sum
moned on the charge OF contempt.
Lancaster wrote several communica-
lions to the newspapers relating to
the Barrett case.
Unofficial notice Of the Judges de-
cision to cite|Dr. Freeman for con-
tempt was received today by men,
Der Of the Richmond bar. The mes
sage came from Mr.. Lancaster, who
stated that he had been notified by
THE commemorative attorney and
had been asked whether he and Dr.
Freeman would appear at Charlotte
courthouse next Wednesday or wheth
err they would insist upon the issu-
ance Of a formal rule. ThesNews Lead
err has decided to insist upon the full
observance of the law and DR.. Free.
man will not accept service until the
rule Nor contempt Is formally issued
He will then appear with counsel.
Harry M. Smith, Of this city, has
been asked to represent Mr.. Lancas-
ter.
STATEMENT OF PAPERS
ATTITUDE.
The News Leader became interest
ed In tho case Of Aubrey Barrett, an
Ignorant II year old Negro boy, when
Senator Walter Addison, Of Lynchburg
came to- Richmond and appealed to
the governor for executive clemency
in behalf of the boy.
Albert Barrett and his son, Aubrey
had been arrested for the murder of
William Roach, of Charlotte county,
under circumstances that had provok-
ed some expression of mob-violence.
The prisoners, however, were hurried
to Charlotte courthouse and were tried
at a special term Of court. According
to the fact presented to the court, Mr..
Roach discovered that load Of wheat
had been stolen from his field and he
tracked the wagon to the farm Of Bar
rett. There he found the old Negro and
his son. Immediately he accused
them Of the theft, whereupon, 1t ap.
pears, an attempt was made to reach
an agreement to pay for the wheat.
When Mr.. Roach refused to accept
such An arrangement, ne sent off HIS
white companion for a constable and
remained to watch the two Negroes.
Soon thereafter, according to the tes
timony offered in court, the Negroes
started to run, with Roach In pursuit
according to one statement OF the
facts, the elder Barrett then fell over
a brush pile and Mr.. Roach jumped
on him. In the fight that followed,
Barrett called for help Of his son. The
latter came up and, In the melee,
struck Mr.. Roach with a chestnut
stick. This stunned Mr.. Roach. The
elder Barrett then rose, and, in a
manner not fully established by the
testimony killed Roach.
When the two Negroes were appre
hended and brought to Charlotte court
house. where Judge Hundley presid.
es. a speedy trial was deemed desir.
able. The two Negroes were repre-
scented by William Lancaster, OF Farm
Vile, who was not called into the case
until the day Of the trial. Mr.. Lam.
caster had the elder Barrett plead not