Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-04
JOHNSON HEARING IS
SET FOR JANUARY Il.
Accused Dentist Appears in Police
Court Accompanied by
Counsel.
PREPARED TO FIGHT CHARGE
IL. VI. Smith. DR., OF Richmond, and
John Il. Woodward, OF North Car
"lina, Have Charge OF Defense.
Dead Girls Parents Also Present.

Arms folded and exhibiting no sign
OF nervousness. DIR. Lc,nucl ]. johnson
stood before Justice Crutchncld in TO
lice Court yesterday morning. while
his counsel, Harry NJ. Smith Jr, now
formally retained, and John l.. Wood
ward, OF Wilson. y. c.. secured con-
;inuancc of the preliminary hearing
until January IL. The young man.
who has been confined in the City Jail
since he was brought here from Wilson.
made far better appearance than on
the night Of his arrest, and carried him
self we'll at this his first appearance
III public since he was made a pris-
onec.
When the witnesses in the case were
called il appeared that Coroner Whit
field was not present. and Attorney
Woodward arose to address tho court.
He was introduced by Mr.. Smith and
stated that. owing to the inconvcn;-
encc OF travelling TO and from his home
here. and to other engagements the
defense desired ii continuance to some
day next week. He added that coun-
sci had a sincere belief in the inno-
ccnce OF their client. and that il was
no; for the purpose of delay that the
continuance was asked. lie also stated
that Mr.. Smith had been called into the
case only a few hours before, and that
they had not conferred with DR.. john
son. commemorative Attorney Wise
resisted the continuance TO the later
date. and urged that the hearing be
held later in the day. when Coroner
Whitfield would be in town. Justice
Crutchfield stated that lie deemed IL fair
to let the hearing so over until Jan
nary il. and that day was set. Coro-
ner Whitfield later appeared in the
courtroom.
CONFESSION WOULD DE ENORTED
During the course Of tho hearing Mr..
Woodward referred TO the promise
made by Sergeant Willy at the time il
was agreed to allow DR.. johnson to be
brought here for trial without reouisi-
ton OH promise that the prisoner be
subjected TO no Srilling or third de
gree treatment in securing a state
ment from him. Mr.. Smith said that
there would be no question about the
prisoner securing fair treatment from
Detectives Willy and Smith, who have
the investigation in hand
George l.. knight and wife. OF 1919
North Twenty-sccond street. the par
ents OF Alice Knight. with whose death
Or. Johnson is charged, were present IN
the courtroom for a few moments. but
later retired to Justice Crutchnelds Of
flee. Mrs. Knight was heavily yelled
and was accompanied by her daughter
Grace Miss Mary Jordan, 1908 North
Twenty-sccond street, and Miss Mildred
Taylor. friends of the dead bride, were
also in the Justices office.
Mr.. Woodward. who was called TO
defend the young dentist by his father
on the night of his arrest. is a man
past middle age. and has had large
experience in the trial of cases involv-
ing the death penalty. lie has been en-
gagged in many murder trials. One OF
the most famous of these cases was the
trial of John Jefferson, accused of kill
ing Captain Barnes. of Wilson, in which
his client was acquitted
The grand jury meets next Monday
and Will either adjourn for a week, or
there VIII be special jury called TO
tax" UP tho case. Ii Justice Crutchiicld
sends the case on, and it is anticipated
by those who are interested in il that
he viii. the young dentist will face
jury in the Hastings Court within the
next few weeks.