The New York herald., 1878-03-05

l REMARKABLE MURDER TRIAL.
A DUEL IN THE RoAD-ACQUIrTAL OF THE
PRISONER.

A DUEL IN THE RoAD-ACQUITTAL OF THE
PRISONER.
WARREXroS, N. c., March 3, 1878.
One OF tho most remarkable and exciting trials ever
conducted in this Stale ended hore late last night
in the superior Court OF Warren. On June 2, 1877,
Colonel John M.yMoody, au aged and prominent cit.
zen OF former wealth and political distinction and The
very image personal appearance o Jefferson Davis
was shot aud killed in tho highway, near Garysburg
Northampton county, by Jesse ID. Brantley. plain
and poor man. Tue meeting probably accidental;
but Brantley made 1t tho occasion OF his asking
Colonel Moody whether the latter had charged him
tBranlicy) with having been hired to swear TO lie
at Jackson court Moody, answering angry, began 10
draw his pistol and the first shots almost simu.
taneous Six shots were exchungcd-three fired by
each-and Moody was killed. On motion Of the State,
q very rure procedure, The venue was changed from
Northampton to Warren aud the Solicitor oi the State
was reinforced by Two aUe counsel Judge d. q. Fowlo
and A. j. Burton, to represent tho family and deend
the character of the dead. They wcre oil course thus
directly associated with and Jointly responsible ior the
prosecution.
The case excited great deal OF Interest feeling,
and Branlley lacked no KIND OF backing. ms motion
Tor release from jail on habcas corpus was successfully
resisted, however, before Judge Weed, at Raleigh.
Among Brantiey's four l.wyers was General N. W.
Ransom, who lett the Senate and the silver bill To do
lend his ciient The excitement Oh the subject grew
OF several considerations always oil prime interest
in Sout thern communities. Moody, whiic Ia kind man
10 poor masniccnt III hospitality, was proud,
passionate troublesome TO his enemies, and always
WI mt heavily armed When killed he had TWO pistols
and bowie knife Ducked Oh HIM and Spencer rifle
nhd hickory stick his buggy. The questions ut
issue were whether Moody's general character as a
desperate justified his adversarys beievIng that
he musI either XIII or be killed, anu whether man
the right to protect his character against highly
Injurious reflections made upon II.
Pupiic sympathy ran IN Bianley's favor and forty
odd witnesses appeared at WarrentOu " prove
his plaCeaple character Tor forty years Tho
uciencc introduced testimony, however rest-
ing Its states own witnesses,
winch gave defence the opening and copcud-
ing speeches under the North Carolina practice. Tho
forensic contest WIS able and determined. Lights
were brought IN last night ana Fowle and Ransom
wrested IKE gladiators Ransom said would
citizeus high or low become dead 10 the value Of
Inc jury, composed OF The most prominent citizens
ol the county, Governor Bell among thcm brought 10
u verdict of not guilty III FIVE minutes, anna loud
cheers and Efforts OF the Court ana SnerH
TO arrest the demonstrations. Brantiey was sere.
nadea at the hotel nt night ana congratu uated by
hundreds OF peopc who called 10 see him. !he ieel
my excited by the traI is confined TO no class but
meu oi Yrantleys own position seem especially to
hail the verGIct ar,cogniun o, the worth to them
ol their good reputation and Of thor right 10 vlnu
cate II from assault
Two WITNESSES were introduced by tho State TO
prove that Brantley had hreaiened TO lake Moody "
lite II Moody mad charged him with perjury bat The
defence broke their iOrce or tho jury th0usut tho
threat justified by the pr0voca