Carpenter Case Summary
Case Summary:
- L. Louise Carpenter’s house burned during the early morning hours of April 27, 1935.
- Six of Louise’s children were home when the fire started. Louise was at her brother-in-law’s house in Culpeper County. Louise learned of the fire when she returned home the next day.
- The fire officials accused Louise and her daughter Mary Lucy for starting the fire to collect the insurance money.
- In May 1935, an all-White grand jury indicted Louise and Mary Lucy Carpenter with arson. Their lawyer convinced the judge that the absence of any Black members on the grand jury was illegal and deliberate.
- The Court summoned an all-Black grand jury to hear the charges against Louise and Mary Lucy. The new grand jury made the same decision. The Court set the trials for November 1935.
- After two days of hearings, a trial jury made up of three Black men and nine White men found Louise and Mary Lucy not guilty.
|
Plaintiff |
Defendants |
|
Commonwealth of Virginia |
L. Louise Carpenter |
|
Mary Lucy Carpenter |
|
Plaintiff Attorney |
Defendant Attorney |
|
Wilson M. Farr |
E. H. DeJarnette, Jr. |
|
Location |
|
Herndon, Virginia |
|
Case Information |
Court |
Judge |
|
Commonwealth vs. L. Louise Carpenter Criminal No. 4870 (May 20, 1935 – November 26, 1935) Felonious arson |
Fairfax Circuit Court |
Walter T. McCarthy |
|
Commonwealth vs. L. Louise Carpenter Criminal No. 4871 (May 20, 1935 – November 25, 1935) Feloniously procuring destruction of dwelling house with intent to injure insurer |
Fairfax Circuit Court |
Walter T. McCarthy |
|
Commonwealth vs. Mary Lucy Carpenter Criminal No. 4872 (May 20, 1935 – November 26, 1935) Felonious arson |
Fairfax Circuit Court |
Walter T. McCarthy |