The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1891-07-15
TWENTY YEARS In
The PEEI1'ENTIAR'I
IS THE PUNISHMENT HOMER MILLS GETS
FOR KILLING Ms COUSIN.

THE JURY FINDS A VERDICT FSk MAN
MISUNDERSTANDING AT TWO
O'CLOCK AT NIGHI-MoTION 70
NEW TRIAL.
In Terrell superior court, on last Tues
day afternoon, Homer Willis put Oh trial
for his life for killing his cousin. c gorge
Outlaw,in May last.
The young boys mother and his two
little sisters, aged about three al nd six
years respectively, had come from Tex
as and, with the boys father, were pres
ent during the trial. Homer an d his
younger sister, pretty, bright little
girl with golden hair, seemed very much
attached, and frequently during the trial
held her in his lap.
When the case was called the state
announced ready. Col. Waters, or the
defense, objected to the indictme 1t on
the grounds that the name of G. W Will
iiams, one of the grand jurors who found
the bill, was not in the grand jury box, as
1t failed to appear on the list thfI vt had
been recorded in the clerks office. Judge
Query sent for the jury box and on
opening it and finding MI. Williams name
among the grand jurors, promptly over
announced ready and the prisoner was
arranged and plead not guilty. Nearly
two hours were consumed in getting a
jury, and forty-seven jurors had been
pnt on their viodire when the twelfth
juror was accepted and the Jury made
up.
The following gentlemen composed
the jury: J. T. Kitchens, W. H. Lundy,
l.. c. Durham, w. D. Prince, Dave Nc
Crocken, D. ]. Woolbright,J. C. Russell,
J. r. Smith, John Summerford, ID. f.
McLain, II r. Lundy and j. H. Davis.
Jurors Davis, McLain, Durham and Smith
| are merchants and the other eight farm
| ers.
On that afternoon two witnesses were
examined for the prosecution, when
court adjourned.
On Wednesday the entire day was lost
on account of the illness of Solicitor
General Griggs, and the jury was kept
| in charge of bailitf.
When court met on Thursday morning
there was a missing juror, MI. j. H.
Davis having been excused on account of
the illness of his wife.
The trial proceeded with eleven Jurors.
On Thursday morning the hearing of
| testimony was resumed, and continued
until the afternoon, when argument was
| begun.
There was no new developments in
the testimony. The facts brought out
were the same as those that developed
at the cOrOnerS inquest, and as they
were printed in the NEWS at that time,
our readers are already familiar with
them. Young Willis made his state
ment in very clear and forcible manner
and appeared not to be the least excited
he stated that Outlaw had stamped
and otherwise roughly treated him before
the fatal shot was fired. He also said
that he did not intend to fire the gun,
and that it wasSaccidentally discharged.
Col. L, c. Hoyl opened the argument
| for the state, and was followed by Coils.
Joe Laing and Jesse WateIs for the de-
Tense. Col. J. G. Parks closed the argu-
ment for the state in an able speech, and
at its conclusion Judge Query charged
the jury, The charge was said by all to
have been the ablest ever delivered on
| the bench here.
The jury retired few minutes before
eleven o'clock and after being out until
about one that night made verdict,
Sheriff Christie Immediately notified
Judge Query who got up and went to
| the court house to receive the verdict.
He sent for the lawyers for both the
state and defense, and had the prisoner
brought from Jail.
When the jurors filed into the court
room Col. l.. e, Hoyl received and read
read the verdict: ave, the jury, find the
prisoner guilty of manslaughter
Judge Query ordered young Willis to
stand up, and there in the dimly lighted
court house and the death-like stiffness
Of the night, sentenced him to twenty
years in the penite9tiary, the extent of
the law, Judge Query remarked to
| young Willis that he had been extremely
fortunate, as he was clearly guilty ofmur-
der, and had doubtless escaped much Sc
verer penalty on account of his tender age.
Young Willis received his sentence
withthe utmost indifference, and seemed
| satisfied with the result of the trial,
His lawyers have given notice that a
motion will be made for new trial.
The News learns from one of the jurors
that two of them were in favor of acquits
ting young Willis, two In favor Of inyol-
untary manslaqghter, and seven in favor
of verdict of murder witha recomenda-
ton for mercy, The verdict rendered
| WAS a commanded