Through some diligent research, I found the information I needed regarding the court case of John Boyd and James Boyd. In a nutshell, they were both accused of murdering John Vaughn (an), a free black in Patrick County. James Boyd�s case was dismissed but John�s continued for several years. The murder took place on May 23, 1861 and the decision of the Patrick County Circuit court was April 13, 1866 � not guilty of the charge. Here listed are the names of residents and dates mentioned in the 5 year long court case and their participation. 8 June 1861 � Patrick County Court Justice of the Peace: Martin Cloud � issued arrest warrant for John and James Boyd Sheriff/Jailor: Murry TURNER Gentlemen Justices: Asa Wood, Jesse CORN, James JOYCE, John NOEL and Joseph FRANCE Witnesses for the Defense: James SOYARS and Nicholas SOYARS Witnesses for the Prosecution: Eli HIATT, James PORTIS and Jesse JOHNSON 25 June 1861 Sheriff/Jailor: Murry TURNER Sureties for Boyd: G. H. ASHWORTH and William LAWSON Sureties for Samuel Vaughn: M. W. Fleming, C. P. Montgomery, J. r. Gilbert, Samuel GILBERT and Rufus Turner Gentlemen Justices: Jesse CORN, H.B. TERRY, C.E. DAVIS, J.H. BRAMMER, Asa WOOD 14 April 1862 � Patrick County Circuit Court Court Judge: G. (Gustavus) A. WINGFIELD Sureties for Boyd: Martin STAPLES and John CLARK Witness for the Prosecution: Martin CLOUD 12 September 1862 Court Judge: G. (Gustavus) A. WINGFIELD Attorney for Commonwealth: John T. WOOTTON Sheriff & Jailor: Murry TURNER Sureties for Boyd: Crawford TURNER and Samuel G. STAPLES 14 April 1863 Court Judge: G. (Gustavus) A. WINGFIELD Sureties for Boyd: Martin STAPLES and Thomas M. CLARK Witness for the Prosecution: James PORTIS, Private 15 September 1863 Court Judge: G. (Gustavus) A. WINGFIELD Attorney for Commonwealth: Daniel A. ROBERTSON Sheriff: Murry TURNER Jailor: L. G. RUCKER 12 April 1864 Court Judge: G. (Gustavus) A. WINGFIELD Attorney for Commonwealth: John W. SHELTON Sheriff & Jailor: Murry TURNER Sureties: Abram STAPLES and Murry TURNER Witness for the Defense: James BOYD Witness for the Prosecution: Milton MONTGOMERY and Eli HIATT Material Witness for the Prosecution: James PORTIS (Private in Major J. R. ROBERTSON�s battalion: at the time of this request, they both belonged to the 42nd Battalion Virginia Cavalry in September 1863, formerly 32nd Cavalry that served in the Department of Richmond.) 12 September 1864 Court Judge: G. (Gustavus) A. WINGFIELD Attorney for Commonwealth: Daniel A. ROBERTSON Sheriff & Jailor: Murry TURNER Sureties: Crawford TURNER and Murry TURNER Witnesses: Martin CLOUD and Eli HIATT and Milton MONTGOMERY Nothing written for the year 1865 13 April 1866 Court Judge: G. (Gustavus) A. WINGFIELD Jury Panel: D. Lee ROSS, Greenville HANCOCK, J. H. BRAMMER, John C. HALL, Alfred ELGIN, William TOWNLY, James A. INGRAM, C.C. RATLIFF, Lee BALISLE, Alexander RAKES, J.C. HOUCHINS and William PILSON. Cynthia A. Wilson Seattle, WA --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Make Yahoo! your home page