From the Richmond Dispatch, 8/22/1864, p.1, c. 6

Mayor’s Court, Saturday. – Joseph Johnson was charged with shooting and killing Benjamin Delarme. The shooting occurred on Friday afternoon at the house of Catherine Blackinship, on Twenty-first street, between Main and Cary; and the facts elicited before the coroner’s inquest, which were published on Saturday, resulted in a verdict of acquittal of the accused of all blame in the matter, it being, as they considered, purely accidental. The Mayor reheard all the evidence which was given before the jury; but with the exception of one or two points elicited from Mrs. Blankinship and officer Granger, all the rest of the testimony was the same that was heard by them. When Granger stopped the man who was walking down the street in company with Johnson after the occurrence to inquire who it was that was with him, Johnson did not stop, but entered a house near by as if the elude arrest, into which he was pursued by the officer and taken into custody. Upon being arrested he had been taken up. He subsequently acknowledged the shooting; said it was an accident, and remarked that when the officer met him he was in search of a physician. – Mrs. Blankinship testified that when she left her house to attend to some business which she had to transact a few squares off on the evening of the shooting, neither Delarme not Johnson were there. In an hour or so after, she returned, and met at the corner of Main and Twenty-first streets, Johnson, who was coming from her house. He stopped and shook hands with her, and in answer to any inquiry from her as to where he was going, his reply was that he was “off on a tramp.” She then kept on home and learnt for the first time of the shooting which had taken place. – This testimony throwing some doubt upon the motives which prompted the deed, the Mayor concluded to send Johnson on the examination before the Hustings Court. The female witnesses – Mary Vanderlip, Eliza Liggan and Jennie Jones – being persons of evil characters, were committed to jail in default of security to appear before the court, and also to be on better behavior for the future.

William Worth was charged with stealing a horse, valued at $1,500, belonging to Vincent Camalier. Mr. Camalier testified that about three weeks since he left his horse in a stable at Hanover Junction and when he went for it, some days after, it was gone. About ten days ago he came to this city to advertise that his horse had been stolen, but before he reached the printing office he saw Mr. John M. Shepherd, Jr., riding down the street upon the horse he had lost. He inquired of Shepherd from whom he had obtained the animal and was informed that he had purchased him from the prisoner. Shepherd at the same time produced a bill of sale signed by Worth. For the defense, a witness was introduced who testified that he saw Worth, the accused, buy the horse from a member of Rosser’s cavalry, and that he saw him count out $1,500 for the animal, which he afterwards paid over to the cavalryman. The Mayor sent the case on to the Hustings Court and offered to bail the accused for his appearance in the sum of $1,000; but at the close of the morning’s business he had not succeeded in obtaining the required security, and was therefore sent down to jail.

James, slave of Charles Talbott, and Samuel, slave of William H. Lewis, charged with breaking into the storehouse of William H. Cox and stealing therefrom two coats and three blankets, were remanded for examination (A substance of the evidence in this case was published on Saturday.)

Zeb Wallace, a free negro, charged with threatening personal violence towards P. Behan, was ordered to receive fifteen lashes. Mrs. Mary Cobert, charged with the same offence, was required to give security for her future good behavior and to keep the peace of twelve months.

Alice, slave of William P. Smith, was charged with stealing a coat, valued at twenty-five dollars, from John Kemple, a white man; but the evidence failing to substantiate the accusation, she was discharged.

Several parties were fined for failing to have their hacks and wagons inspected, as the ordinance required, and a number of negroes were variously dealt with for the commission of offences of different characters; after which, his Honor adjourned the court till Monday (this) morning at 9 o’clock.

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