The 1909 Buckingham Murders: Part XX
Acquittal and Pardon
On November 24, 1911, over two and a half years following the murders of the Stewart brothers, Edward Jones was acquitted by a jury in Richmond’s Hustings Court.
The Commonwealth chose not to prosecute Richard Perkins based on the decision in Jones’ case, the evidence against both being identical and Perkins was released.
Governor William Hodges Mann gave W. Dallas Wright an absolute pardon.
The Times-Dispatch reported Wright’s response to gaining his freedom:
When informed that he was a free man, Wright wept. He declared that he knew nothing of the murder of the two Buckingham brothers, who were killed and their bodies burned when their home was set a fire.
The white man, who is about forty years old, said that he had no idea what he will do. He said he would not return to Buckingham, and was anxious to get as far away from Virginia as possible.
With all three cases overturned by the Richmond jury and judge, the change of venue saved three lives.
How did Judge Hundley, “the ablest circuit judge in the State,” respond to the reversal of his decisions?
Was the complex, and now very contradictory, evidence too much and too incredible for the Richmond jury?
Where did the citizens of Buckingham County stand on the reversal of the Buckingham-based jury?
Coming next: Justice and the Stewart Brothers
Need to catch up on The 1909 Buckingham Murders? Part I: June 1, 2015
slate river ramblings . . . . 
But who done it? And why?
I’m so relieved! No wonder Wright wanted to get as far away from Virginia as possible!