Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-16
DR.. JOHNSON PLACED
ON TRIAL FOR LIFE

S'' HPies against capltal punishment:
Simon Bowman, of "2l7-A Hanover
Avenue. who had formed an opinion.
and T.. L. Belts. Of SI2 Montrose Ave
nue., who also had his opinion fixed
There were few spectators in tho
courtroom Many seats were vacant
and those who came in went we'll to the
front TO secure a good view OF the
prisoner. = small group Of students
from the Medical College of Virginia
from which young Johnson was grad
uated last June. just p,ior to his mar
riaee in September. sat to the right
little behind their former ~choo,
friend. The father and mother of The
prisoner Will not be in Richmond to
be At his side during his trial
Attorney John L. woouard. of VIII
son, y. G., who. with Harry VI. Smith.
JT" viii defend DR.. Johnson. said yes
torday that the physical condition OF
the AGED father would not permit him
20 make the trip. The mother Il also
IN III health, it was said. Henry John
Son. cousin OF the accused. who re-
sides a; IIopcwell. will attend the trial
III spite Of the absence OF his parents
and his close friends. the Young dom
tlst held an even countenancc through
taiesman said that he had formed
an opinion. and blurted out. Yes. T
think he IS guilty" the prisoner mi,
his hand 10 his face and smiled.
ACCUSED HAS BEEN CONFINED
IN JAIL SINCE DECEMBER
Since late last December Dr.. John
son has been confined in the CITY Ian
sun MS countenance is not worn. and
his face does not hear strongly IN.
'naF"s which confinement usually
brings He held no conversation veg.
'cFdaE with any one. cxccpt an occ,-
s'oHa! Whispered consultation with hi.
to"hse" In appearance he was neat
worn but carefully pressed suit OF
oarh green. Il nicely tied cravat hair
Wen smoothed back, an eve tina, r,s
pf!eht' gave him tho air OF the sprirh,
- co!Icse man who tellow-st1dcn,a
eau 'hat ne was during his courso IN
uehtiS'F!. Few students, IL was said
ny those who knew him. made AS high
"'"' AS as ne, and in his work h. wo.
"hHt IS known by the boys as :,
P'.Ese'' or hard and diljrcn,
S'Uuent. In walking from and in on
.e''ha inc courtroom as he was con-
oucteo 70 the JAN. his step was firm
ana ne looked calmly at the court
.oo" hahsers-on who stayed after ad
''u' "Hpeht Tor a glance at him.
-" ne" names were mentioned voc.
'e'oSy among witnesses for tho n,oso
cuNon when the list was called rho,,
VINO testihed in Police Court nj N.
preliminary hearing and made on, ~,
case which sent DR.. johnson into ~,
hustlhss Court will be heard this we.k
detective Serscants Gordon p sm,,,
ana 'ohh r Why. who investigated tn,
case; DR.. J. NJ Whitfield. tho corono-
"ho testihed that he found cvauidc =,
potassium in the stomach o. Mrs Iob,
son. DR.. a. T.. Williams. who ca,cd 70
~ Johnson when 1t vas alleged h,
@('eH' pted suicide in Wilson, y. C.. afte
ms "!!e'5 death; Brandon knight n,
-"Ee-Eear- brother Of the dca,
sh!. VINO said he saw DR.. johnson rum
mage IN bureau drawers at the Knirb
+ nome the night before the funeral. n
! h'thfr and father OF Alice Knj,h,
"'s y. f.. S;utz. OF 522 North Twenty
se7enth Street: j. X. McCauIcy. gccrc
'ary OF the Medical College: Or. Avn
patterson. druggist Of Wi!aon. y. {,
Who sa!d DIR. Johnson tried 10 bu
cyanide at his store, and Gordon Rlai
It Richmond druggist. who said youn
man bought cyanide at his store, bu
whom he could not Identify, Will aEai
be heard for the prosecution
SUMMON NEWSPAPER MAN
WHO INTERVIEWED DENTS
whatever new evidence the State ha
amassed has not been announced Tn
name Of T.. Cloyd Gin, Tashingto
hrwspaper man. who interviewed n
young dentist Just after he was place
In The city jail. was called yesterda
afternoon among the few new ~itncss.
Tor the prosecution. when Attornc
Wpodard allowed his client 10 rctur
10 Ricinond, waving c1tradition ri
p"ra. j, was on condition that no gruc
ING you'd be done by the dctcciiv
: Z
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