The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-16
HONOR TO JUDGE WALLACE NO BAIL
FOR GEORGE S. TURNER.

THE Combat which Turner Ind
gone. with Alacrity. 20 meet. BEING
Opened. lie Killed FinGer---SOt in
Sudden Quarrel. but Upon Pre-.
existing Declared Intention 10 do
so-This Is Murder.''
The law-abiding citizens of South Carolina
will thank Judge Wallace for his brave and
courageous discharge Of duty in refusing bail
to George S. Turner, the murderer.
Ii all OF our Judges would adopt the same
line of official conduct fewer men with
money and influential friends would join the
ranks Of murderers, or else more OF them
would suffer for their crimes.
While we do not think any judge in South
Carolina is corrupt, yet the uniform leniency
and extreme courtesy which the Rcnch has
paid to red handed murderers has done much
to foster a disregard for human life.
Many murdercis in South Carolina are
indebted TO the Bench for that leniency
which might well shock the public mind in
other commonwealths of the Union. Even
Colonel Jones of Edgeiicld finds a friend in
the Court which should punish him.
If there is q department Of this Govern.
mcnt which deserves an awakening to a sense
of duty in the proper discharge OF public
trust, we think that department is the Judic
iary in the matter of granting easy ball to
men with the smell of blood yet on their gar.
ments.
If the Judges will do their duty-the jury
If honestly drawn, will do their duty. II mol
honestly drawn, then the jury commissioners
should be lynched on the spot.
While on this subject we would say that we
believe no jury commissioner who proposes
to act fairly, should draw any jury without
having the presence Of witnesses who can
certify 10 his fidelity and honesty OF acl
In the discharge Of the highest duty.
The following is the decision rendered by
Judge Wallace:
tanned by the Sheriff on a Charge OF the mur-
der of Ed. Finger.
:'rhs is a motion for the discharge of Tur'
ner on bail.
at appears, from the written testimony
submitted to me, that Turner and Finger en-
terlained feelings OF hostility towards each
other that grew out OF an Illicit connection
between Turner and an unmarried sister oI
Finger. This hostility was expressed by
threats by each that he would kill the other,
and these threats were communicated TO each
by persons 10 whom they were made.
ION the day of the homicide Finger passed
along the road near The place OF business OF
Turner, and, on seeing Turner, called TO him
in tones and words Of defiance, and ask cd
him TO come to the road "if he wanted amy
thing" Turner responded in similar tones
and went to the road. where, after few mu.
tual words of defiance, Il pistol In the hands
OF Finger was discharged, followed quickly
BY another discharge OF the same pistol. This
latter report was Immediately followed BY
the discharge of Il pistol in the hands OF Tur.
ner, by which Finger was MORALLY wounded
and died in II few moments.
"FIom the view l take OF the effect Of the
testimony submitted TO me. 1t is immateriul
whether Fingers pistol was discharged al
Turner or not. Finger was armed. He
sought combat with Turner OH pre-exisine
grudge. To his invitation, Turner, also
armed, promptly responded, having previous.
ly made threats to kill him. 1t is manifest
That each desired the combat and intended IL
make It mortal. While Finger was handling
his pistol, obviously intending 10 use it in The
combat he had sought, IL was discharged and
the actual combat thus opened, which result.
Ell in his death. Whether it was aimed al
Turner or not is not material The combai
which Turner had gone, with alacrity, Ia
meet. being opened, he killed Finger-nOt IN
sudden quarrel. but upon u prc-cXistng de.
cared intention to do so. This Is murder.
"The motion is therefore refused.
"W. Ii. WALLACE"