The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-29
DOTSON'S FATE SEALED.
THE CONDEMNED MAN MUST PAY
The DEATH PENALTY.

The Supreme Court Refuses to Enter
tain Els Appeal and He VIII be Re
sentenced at the Converting Of tn
Next Term Of the Court IN Which h
Was Tried-The Crime for whicl
Dotson Win bang.
The supreme court has dismissed the ap
peal OF Lucius DotsoD, the condemneC
murderer Of JEFF Coates, and be will paJ
the penalty of his crime on the gallows il
the near future unless Gov. Northen inter
feres. which is not one Of the things likely
to happen. Judge Falligant will reseatencs
Dotson TO death probably some day next
week, after the convenirg Of the December
term Of court.
Dotson's appeal was dismissed WITHOUT
argument, because his attorney w. L. MOT
rison, ESQ, didn't send the papers up 70 tne
states highest tribunal in proper FORM ne
simply died bill of exceptions WITHOUT
any brief. and the result was that the su-
preme court wouldn't entertain the appeal.
There is now no chance to correct the error
because the limit Of appeal has expired, and
Dotson has nothing to hope for from the
courts His doom Is sealed, and he may at
once begin to prepare for the end
DoTsoN's CRIME.
The murder for which Dotson will hang
was both cowardly and unprovoked. 1t
occurred in Barrett's saloon on River
street, Saturday night, Sept. Is. Coates
was drinking glass OF beer when Dotson
and several companions came in and ordered
drinks. Dotson walked up TO Coates, and
endeavored to raise a row. The latter re-
fused to talk to him. and pulling small
knife cut Of his pocket cut of the end Of
cigar.
no.eo, @ba., bo,a,, ,,,r,;,r, Coa tas ord ~
marked I'm do you when get you out
side"
Several parties tried to quiet him, but he
was determined to have a row with some-
body, Coates. to avoid difficulty, star led
from the bar into the grocery, but just be-
fore he reached the door Dotson jumped in
front Of him with the remark. IN do
you now" at the same time
drawing a pistol and shooting the man
through the heart. Coates dropped dead on
the floor without even a groan and Dotson
ran out into the street and tried to escape.
lie was followed by Barrett and his brother.
and was captured on Mcclure street
while trying 70 get into a
friends house. In the chase
the murderer threw the pistol away, but it
was afterward found and turned over to
the police.
A PLEA OF sRLF-DEFENSR.
Coates IN self-defense, as he was advancing
on him with knife aud trying to cut him
in the breast. None OF the other witnesses,
even those for the defense, agreed in their
statements with Dotson, and his attorney,
Mr.. Morrison, recognized at once that be
had an uphill fight. The lawyer pleaded
hard with the jury to believe his clients
story. but it was too fiimsy, and after being
cut about an hour a verdict Of guilty with
out any recommendation was rendered.
When Judge Falllgant asked Dotson what
be had to say why sentence shouldn't be pro-
nounced the murderer mumbled that he
hadn't been given justice. He was ex-
tremely nervous while the death sentence
was being passed, and gave sigh Of relief
at its conclusion.
Dotson was the first murderer tried and
convicted in the new court house, aud it
was thought at the time that he would have
the honor Of being the first man hanged in
the new Jail, but Kitchen wrested that
from him.