District Court (15 Nov 1884); Rapides, Louisiana Submitter: Betty White Date: 29 Jun 2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Alexandria Town Talk Weekly, 15 Nov 1884. District Court met yesterday as per adjournment, their Honors, Judges Blackman and Overton presiding. After motions were called and disposed of Judge Overton retired to room B, of this court, and resumed case J.W. Prescott vs. B. Cooper, brought over from last week. This case has consumed already considerable time of this Court, being very complicated, involving a large amount -$23,000 - and having to take the evidence in writing. Judge Overton is making all the progress possible in this case although it is likely to consume another day. The case of the State vs. Sidney Brooks was taken up by Court A, Judge Balckman presiding. Jury was impaneled, examination of witnesses finished, and arguments of counsel begun. case unfinished last night. District Court met yesterday as per adjournment, their Hons. Judges Balckman and Overton presiding. After list of attorneys were called for motions, Judge Overton proceeded with case of J.W. Prescott vs. B. Cooper. The testimony in this case was closed last evening. Court A, presided over by Judge Blackman, began yesterday with the case of Phineas Phillips, (col) accused of manslaughter. verdict of Jury, not guilty. NExt case called, State vs. Marion Perkins, charged with assault with dangerous weapon with intent to kill. Verdict of jury, guilty as charged. Case of state vs. J.W. Barron charged with manslaughter, unfinished. The jury in the case of Sydney Brooks, tried on Monday, brought in a verdict of guilty. The following day (Nov. 13): After motions were finished, Judge Overton resumed case of J.W. Prescott vs. B. Cooper. Casses of regular docket were called and disposed of as follows: State vs. J.H. Barron, charged with manslaughter. Verdict of jury "not guilty." State vs. Marion Perkins. Motin for new trial was made, the same sustained, and accused released from custody on bond. The Prescott vs. Cooper case was expected to have been submitted to the jury last night. To-day the case of the State vs. Durham, accused of murder, comes before the Court. This being a recused case, Judge Overton will try it. Nov.14 District Court - the case of Prescott vs. Cooper was given to the Jury Thursday morning at 4 o'clock, Judge Overton did not get any rest Wednesday night and was feeling very badly yesterday. The jury in the case brought in a verdict in favor of Mr. Prescott. Judge Overton took up the case of State vs. Durham yesterday afternoon, but as the attorneys of the State and for the accused took up so much time of the court in arguing exceptions, a jury had not been drawn up to last evening. Later - At the request of the State's attorney, the case of the State vs. Durham was continued. The bond of the accused was fixed at $1,000, which he can furnish. 22 Nov 1884 District Court adjourned Monday to meet on next Saturday. The cause of adjournment to that time is, that Judge Blackman is obliged to go to Marksville for the purpose of holding a preliminary examination in a murder case. Judge Overton left last Saturday night for home, but will be in Colfax to day to open Court. District Attornet Wickliffe left Saturday night for Colfax. The following named prisoners were sentenced last Saturday by Judge Blackman: Aleck Jones (col.) convicted of petty larceny, got six months in parish prison. to pay costs of court, in default of same to serve an additional month. Sidney Brooks (col.) convicted of shooting with intent to kill, was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. Anthony Robinsobn (col.) convicted of larceny, was sentenced to six months in penitentiary.