Peninsula Enterprise, February 7, 1891

ACCOMAC COUNTY COURT.

Proceedings, January Term, 1891.

The jury empannelled for the trial of George Richardson for the larceny of the money of Mr. Francis T. Stockley, returned the verdict of one year in penitentiary, with a recommendation to Governor for executive clemency, in consideration of the age of the boy, his previous good character and the unusual temptation in his way to commit the theft. In pursuance of the verdict, a petition setting forth the facts, signed by every member of the jury, Judge of county court, clerk, sheriff and Commonwealth attorney, will be taken to the Governor by Mr. U. B. Quinby, one of the attorneys of the prisoner, and application will be made for a commutation of the sentence to county jail, which will doubtless be granted and should be. It was in evidence that the boy was 15 years of age, heretofore was of exceptionally good character, had entered the store and taken money from safe both left open, was penitent as soon as he fully realized the crime and acknowledged the same.

In the case of the Commonwealth vs. Samuel Lewis, on trial for the murder of George Twyford, a verdict of murder in the second degree was rendered and term of imprisonment fixed at five years in penitentiary. A new trial has been granted him on account of error of jury in ascertaining their verdict. Ten of them being for five years in penitentiary and two of them for four years, they decided by lot the manner in which the conflicting opinions should be reconciled, by putting white and black chequers in hat and calling upon deputy sheriff to draw for one, the white representing five years, the black four years. The deputy drew the white chequer -- hence the verdict. The law does not recognize verdicts arrived at by chance.

In case of Commonwealth vs. Henry Watson and Louis Savage, colored, tried for entering a store in night time with intent to commit larceny, jury returned verdicts of five years in penitentiary in each case, and they have been sentenced accordingly.