The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-07-09
CARRIE JOHNSON GIVEN
FREEDOM in MURDER CASE.

HISTORY OF JOHNSON CASE.
Carrie Johnson, II years old, lived
at 22O C Street, N. w.
Arrested night of July 81, 1919
Charged with killing Detective Will
Examined before Coroner's Jury.
July 23.
IS months awaiting trial
First Trial began January 3rd, 1921,
before Justice Gould and Jury.
Jury rendered verdict of Manslaugh-
ter, January II, 1921, and case ap-
Bond of $4,000 secured January 14th.
Second trial before Justice Siddons,
ended in nolle pros and Miss Miss
Johnson was set free Monday, June
20, 1921.
CASE NOLLE PROssED.
Washington, d. c., July THE
mills of the gods grind slow but sure
and so it is in case of Miss Carrie John
son, who was convicted on a charge
of manslaughter, before Justice Gold
last January in connection with the
killing of Detective Sergt Harry Will
son during the race riot of July, 1919
and was released Monday afternoon,
when United States Attorney, John h.
Laskey, nolle pressed the case before
Justice Siddons.
The case has been a long drawn one
and has been bitterly fought by the
attorneys on both sides. Miss John
son was arrested on the night of July
2l. 1919, when the riot was at it's
height, on the charge of killing De-
5SiSS Johnson TsSn Eome at hG y stree ntsfed NJ
Her father, Richard johnson was also
arrested at this lime. They were con-
fined in Jail until the trial in jan
uary, 1921, after Is months of in
generation. At this trial her father
was given his freedom and Miss john
son was released under five thous-
and dollar bond.
A verdict was brought against Miss
Johnson charging her with mans
slaughter. A motion for new trial
trial was Immediately asked by her
plea of self defense, which was. de-
MED by the late Justice Gould. How
ever, during Justice, Goulds illness he
and there told him nat he could not
die in peace with this girls case un-
settled and that it was clear in in his
mind that she should have new trial
for there was doubt in his mind as
to her being guilty.
When her attorneys went before
Justice Siddons with the motion for
a new trial, Justice Siddons said |;
trial on the points of law presented
by the fefendant's counsel, Ihave re-
viewed the condition leading u pto the
riot and deplored the fact such stain
could be put upon the fair name of
Washington City. Often it has been
said from platform and press that this
that this is government of laws
and not not of men, bU. the time has
come when we must either make this
true or. stand condemned before the
nations of the world
Il can easily Understand the state
of the defendants mind when she, a
girl ofonly seventeen, was going thru
this trying experience and in Keeping
with my conversation with the late
Justice Gould, 1 grant the motion for
new friAl.'
The caae was called last week, and
on Monday the case was nolle prosed
Justice Siddons pronounce her free:
When seen by repre- entatiYe OF
the Tribune Miss JohnsoH, was elated
over the opportunity, of her freedom
expressed her -gratefulness to the at
torneys and Justice Siddons
Attorneys b. l.. Gaskins and T. M.
atT1n Were proud tbird Of of fnf case
them to result in freedom of their
defendant. The first was that cf Dr.
Theodore walker, charged with, mur-
and New York Avenue. For lack of
evidence, this case was ignored by
the grand jury and DR.. Walker was
set free. The next was that of Rich
ard Johnson. the father of Carrie. His
case was nolle pressed in January at
the trial before Justice Gould.
The National Race Congress agreed
to pay the expenses OF tne case anu
over $3.50 to the Attorneys; $3.50 for
the Bond and $500 for records. Rev
Jernagin is President of the Congress
and Prof. John r. Hawkins is treas
urer.
A local club of young ladies known
as The Pollyannas" stated some time
ago as a result of their benefit dance,
they had one thousand and five dol
lars ($1,0005) to turn over to Miss
Johnson to assist her in the legal
fight for her life. AS yet, this
expected to be at an early date, so as
to assist her in cleaning up bills yet