Perkins v. Commonwealth

Albert Woodley Perkins, a Negro, was indicted for the murder of Forest R. Briese, an enlisted man in the United States Navy. He was tried by a jury, convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and his punishment fixed at three years in the penitentiary. To review the judgment entered upon that verdict the present writ of error has been allowed.

At the time of the alleged offense the accused was employed as a waiter in a petty officers’ club on Boush street, in the business district of the city of Norfolk. His duties required that he remain at the club until after midnight. For his protection he had…