The New York herald., 1879-07-08
TRIAL FOR MURDER.
THE KILLING OF D. w. COLEMAN BY ABNER
GIBsoN-AN UTTERLY UNPRovoKED ACT-THE
PLEA OF INSANITY FROM iNToxIcArIoN
(BY TEIlEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

PLEA OF INSANITY FROM INToxICATIoN.
(BY TEIEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
A43 MACON. Ga, July z. 1879.
On the 7th Of last November the most remarkable
killing recorded in Georgia took place in Macon.
To-day the slayer put upon trial for his life.
The circumstances of the killing are these:-
Mr.. D. w. Coleman, stranger in the city.
and sort of circus attache, was
standing in front Of valentino's restaurant at
about six o'clock. There two men standing
near him. Suddenly man approached them with
his pistol drawn. He was evidently much intoxi-
Gated and in desperate state Of mind. He spoke
some words in threatening manner to the men near
Mr.. Coleman putting his pistol to their breasts
or twice. He then turned to Coleman and
said. .who is this?" One of the men replied.
.'That is one Of the best friends you have
in Macon" Coleman also said. ''Pm friend
Of yours 4" At this the man who had the pistol and
who was Abner Gibson. presented his pistol. Cole
man said. "You are not going to shoot friend and
an innocent man. are your Gibson replied, II
hate to DO it. but must" Coleman and the others
tried to retreat. but Gibson called them back,
each time covering them with his cooked
pistol. At last Coleman said. II amt going
to fight. but We can all go in and take
drink. Let see M have enough money TO
treat the crowd. ct th4same time running his hand
into his pocket. A. As:nsdSdshis Gibson nrcd on him
and Coleman doubled up with pain, being struck in
the stomach. Recovering himself he turned and
ran. Gibson continued firing until he had empted
four barrels OF his pistol and wounded Coleman
more. Coleman then fell and was taken into
house. Then followed q most remarkable
scene. Gibson, still brandishing his pistol
went up and down the streets defying tho
police snd acting in the craziest man
ner. The local paper says:-"No attempt
in fhp inn pne1fn To Of le
scribes how for two hours the infuristed man hold
possession OF Third and Fourth streets, cleaning
out Harris barroom. stopping unofending citizens
on the way and committing various excesses. At
length Mayor Huf himself headed posse aud went
the noghborhood OF the killing and could not be
found. He was arrested the next night on the night
in a buggy seven miles, and then quietly put upon
the train. He laid down on the seat and covered him.
self up closely with wraps He was arrested sud
denly and quietly, although he had on two pistols
aud knife when taken.
INSANE FROM DRINKING.
Coleman died the next day from the effect of his
wounds. 1t transpired on the inquest that Gibson
had been in crazy and delirious state all the after
noon Of the killing. 1t was known that when drunk
he was beside himself. and those who knew him
always avoided him ut such times. That afternoon
ne had ss~cx sis aTsn amy
but went home to- get double barrelsd
shotgun. This was taken away from him. but he
secured another pistol in some way other. He
perfectly ungovernable all the rest of the evening"
He is reported to have come near shooting several
messed the killing. Askew and another, testified
that they were standing the restaurant when
they saw Gibson coming around the corner with his
pistol in his hand knowing his desperate character
when in drink Askew said ''Yonder comes Alb Glib
son Let us hide here for i,S he would Just as soon
pass them unperceived. As he came along. how
out "who Is therey' The stepped forward
aud assured him that they. were his friends.
He put his pistol to Atkins breast. when
Atkins assured him that he the best
friend he had in town. They could neither
escape from him or pscify him. until he happened to
notice Coleman. who was por ect stranger to him.
He accosted Coleman. and the shooting took place
almost Immediately afterward. Gibson was most
admirable fellow when sober. he was kindly genial.
aud just the of what he was when under the
influence Of liquor. Ho was one of the most
sally estce.. ed. 1t IL hard to conceive how drink
could change him. His family Is ono OF the most
distinguished and reputable in Georgia and there is
nothing In its history for his freaks when
in liquor. They are devoted to him and will do all
that can be done to save his lie. Their defence
will rest mainly the plea of insanity. although
they hope to considerably modify the current state
ment OF the killing. which is tho related above.
They claim that they viii be able to show that Glib
thought he was shooting in self-dofence. as he
did not hear what Coleman said about treating"
% pocket "yoE" foE pistol Ts They will Ill prov prove they hey
say, that Coleman did have pistol. Tho
witnesses on the inquest svore, as reported then.
that Coleman did not have pistol ut all. and that
they heard the silver jingle In his pocket when he
put his hand in the pocket IL held that when he
bent forward with pain after Gibsons first shot that
he had uropped his pistol and trying to recover
1t. The deIence IL IN charge of Congressman j. H.
Blount, who will maze II as strong as possible.
MIsTRIAL.
There has already been trial of the before
the Superior Court. This resulted in mstral. 1t
having been reliably known how the jury stood
Gibson has been in Jail all the time, but has had all
the luxuries that money could give him there. His
cell is carpeted and hxed mp good style, and he
still keeps the books OF Hsrdman sparks
the firm for which he was working. The
books carried to him ut the jail and
he posts them up, balances thom and keeps them
straight. His friends stand by him devotedly and
declare that he wholly and absolutely irrespon
sbc and insane when he did the kilIg--recitng its
very wantonness as proof of the claim Ills pleas
ant and popular character when SOBER aud the high
position he occupied. together with the sympathy
felt for his family has tended to very the
Indignation felt Immediately alter the killing ON
account of its atrocity and heartessness. The day
consumed in preliminary motions and little
done. The defence wanted continuance. The
jury obtained and the merits the cas- entered