The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-26

Sides without Breaking His Case in
the Least--other Witnesses.
DIR. Il. M. Willett, tho first witness in
troducod by the State in tho case OF Will
lam o. IIedrick, the police officer accused
of numbering Thomas Ccrcoran, was re-
called yesterday morning.
Defendants attorneys objected to what
the State desired to prove by the Witness
whereupon the jury retired and DIR. Will
lett made the following statement to tho
court:
STATE EVIDENCE RULED OUT.
Next morning after the tragedy asked
Corcoran how he rested during the night.
He said pretty well, but hadn' tslept much,
though he had not much pain. This was
due TO the morphine. While waiting for Il
consultation with other physicians he in
qured what thought OF his case. re-
piled; "0h, we are going TO pull you
through, but you understand you are
badly hurt" lie then said II no did not
have such pain in his stomach he might
get well. Aiterward no alternatod between
stating that he would get well II / could do
something for the pain in his stomach and
that he feared he would not recover. His
condition was very serious. lie would
have died at the race track II had not in
jected whisky under his skin. After ho
was taken to the hospital told the Sisters
TO send for Father Francis and prepare the
man for death.
Gen. Peters-Did he make any state
a.. ..sIs. H..l HID
AT the scene OF the tradgedy i asked
him who shot him, and he replied, 'Pat
lloran." The next morning | said there
seemed TO be no doubt but that Hedrick
shot him. He then said he might have
been mistaken.
Acknowledgement Peters, addressing the
court-May 1t please Your Honor, this is
what We want TO oder.
Judge DuBose-But want TO under
stand the condition Of the mind OF the
deceased at tho time OF making the state
ments.
DR.. willet--I think no believed he was
going TO die.
Judge DuBose read several decisions on
the point, showing that IL must be made
clear that the deceased thought he was
going TO die. The testimony Of DIR. Willett
was ruled out
This disposition Of Dr. Willett's tosti-
mony ended the list OF State witnesses,
the jury was brought back, and evidence
for tho defense was then taken up.
W. o. HEDRIcK,
the defendant, was first placed on tho
stand. lie testified: | havo lived in
Memphis since 1873, with the exception
OF about two years. / was born in Carroll
County, Ky. | have been on the police
force since 1878, except about year and
ahalf. ] was sergeant two years up 10 a
few weeks ago, when, by a change made
by the Council, | became a special officer.
was at the race track April IL, last.
was detailed by Chief Davis 10 60 out. in
citizens clothes, and watch for pickpock-
cts. ! went out about II o'clock. The
races that day did rot belong properly to
The regular meeting. II was matinee
lay. After tho last race ] met Capt.
Ollaycr. and We ran out OF the gate for
The dummy. We got seat on the middle
car OF tho train about midway. i couldn't
tell at the time where Capt. O'llaycr got
lie didn't get ON my car ! heard a shot
from the main entrance. | wasn't SURE IL
was apistol. When a second shot rang out
] jumped down and ran in tho direction OF
the firing. Capt o llayer got of another
car aud together We ran. | saw man that
didn't recognize run out and fall down.
lie was followed by another man with a
pistol in his hand. | didn't know him
either Capt OIlaver grabbed the man
with the pistol IRON behind and | ran
up 10 help him. Another man ran out OF
the gate, and ran up and pointed the pis-
toll straight in my direction, saying, cd
d--n you, turn him loose" turned loose
aud made circle around Capt. O'llayer
aud saw Koran, an officer OF the police
force. Tho man with the pistol then said,
"lloran, you d-n s-n Of a b-h, III kill
YOU" jumped 20 his shoulder and said,
Don't do that" Returned upon mo aud
said, cd d-n you, I'll put IL TO YOU"
jumped back aud pulled my pistol aud
fired NJ rapidly a. possible. / kept NOV.
ing toward the north 10 get out OF the
range OF the mans pistol. Tom COrcoran
seemed 20 be In a rago when he came up,
aud thought that lac would shoot me II /
did not turn loose IA Corcoran. That Is
why did 40. think was about eleven
feet from Corcoran. Jumped back from
him when he said "l'll put Il 10 YOU. ["
lie was closer to O'lIayer aud Ia Corco.
ran than I. Tom Corcoran faced me zach
time shot Imoyed each time and he
faced me-
Gen. wright-Mr. Hedrick, why did
you fire after the first shoi7
Because thought | was In danger.
With what dolbcmtion did YOU shoot
There was moro difference between the
second and third shots than between the
lint two.
How did hc hold his pislol3
lilo had II extended at the first shot, and
at the second shot had Il hall way between
his hip aud a full extension. AZ the third
shot his hand Tell down TO his side.
Why did you cease iring7
Because he lowered his hand.
Did You observe any signs Of his being
hurt2
Not during the firing, that observed.
Was there anything to keep him from
shoo,ing when YOU first iircdl
Nothing that know Of.
Did YOU believe he was going 10 shoot
when you hrcdg
most certainly did, or would novel
have fired lsolemnly).
Did YOU know the man. or either 81 the
men, or ever have anything 10 DO with
lhcm3
Never within my recollection.
Why did YOU 70 back when you hear
the firing on the insidc2
Because | avn an officer, and desired
10 quoll any trouble.
What did YOU do after shooling7
| went away from the crowd aud 70
manned till got tn hack with IA Cor
cofan and came 10 the station. house
whore ! was dockelcd.