The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-09-19
Law REGARDING
ARRESTS GIVEN
MUCH. EMPHASIS
Duties and Powers Of Officers
Outlined in Speeohsby
M Judge Today.
CITES HOMICIDE
Other Topics Of Interest
Discussed With Grand
49,, Jury Members.

III No.
Judge E. NJ. showalter 81 the
Marion County Criminal Court
this morning delivered his charge
and instructions to the grand Jury
which started its work today of
going over the cases before II
preparatory to returning indist-
ments in such instances al the
grand jury may deem there Is
sufficient evidence to warrant
such action.
, Judge Showalter touched ON
many phases OF business and gem
eral conditions at the present
time; reviewed the history OF the
coal strike, with a complimentary
word for the way in which they
had passed in Marion County
without any bloodshed and offered
several suggestions relative 10 the
future.
After outlining the seneral
duties of the grand Jury Judge
Showalter said:
Our statutes have DIVIDED
crimes and offences into nine
Offences against Tie gov
eminent.
snd-ottences against the per
son.
3rd-oifences against property
4th-offences against public
Justice N is'
5th- Offences against peace
ofences atnst morality
and decency.
7th-o Offences against public
policy.
9th-General. and special sstatu-
tory offences.
II shall run through this Glassi-
fcatlon quite briefly, calling your
particular attention only To those
matters which I am informed will
likely come before you for com
sideration; and Il, is very crafty
ing at this time to be ableto say
that your present duties WILDE Of
short duration. The Prosecuting
Attorney advises me that since
the last term Of this court there
have been very few fragrant viola
tions OF the law in this county.
and that most OF the Offences
below that of felony have been
tried and disposed Of in theio tiices
below that Of felony have been
tried and disposed Of In the offices
Of the Justices OF the Peace, and
that as compared with the work
Of the grand juries during the
past two years yours will beyery
light indeed. Let us trust this
wholesome situation may long
continue.
THE highest form OF crime
known 10 the law Is that against
the government; II Is known as
treason. | understand You viii
not be called upon to consider any
cases OF this kind.
"The second class Of otfences
are those against the person and
include murder, mansiaughtef,
rape, assaults, abortion, extorticn,
desertion and non-support, pro
ucring or OBTAINING inmates 81
houses of ill-fame, cruelty to chil
dren, dueling and prize lighting.
l am happy to say that for the
first time In many months this
grand jury will not be called upon
10 return any Indictment for muir
der, and OF the offences against
the person there will only BE-
three classes Of these presented
for your consideration. They ara
assaults, unlawful shooting and
non-support. Our statute provides
that II any person maliciously
shoot, stab, cut or wound any
person, or by any means cause
him bodily injury with intent to
main, distigure, disable and kin,
he shall be guilty OF a felony and
ifany such act be, done 1nlawfuliy
but not maliciouslyg he shall be
guilty of a misdemanor:s
Judge Showalter gave consider
able time to the explanation OF
the law in the case governing the
homicide committed lin, this city a
few days ago, when officers OF the
law in the performance Of their
duties killed an escapf convict,
who refused to halt when ordered
to do so by the officers by whom
he was eventually Killed OF this
particular case Judge Showaiter
said:
"But while in the ordinary
sense there have been no murders
committed or even cases OF fomi-
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errc NORTHUMBERLAND