The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-04
GIVEN ANEW LEASE OF LIFE
BlOiS and Hayward Must Have
Another Trial.

The Supreme Court Reverses the
Superior Court in the Meyer Murder
Case-Grounds Upon Which the APP
peal Was Made-Gay Also Likely
to Get a New TriaI-The Prisoners
overioyed at Their Good Fortune.
Joe Blois and Marion Hayward. the con-
demned murderers of August w. Meyer,
are to have new trial and another
chance for their lives. The supreme
court has reversed the superiorcourt, and
in consequence Attorneys Gazan and
Kenan. who have labored zoaiously with
out compensation for the two negroes, are
the happiest men i'm the city. Few people
believed that the appeal to the supreme
court would amount to anything and the
reversal came as a surprise.
The brief submitted by the prisoners
ATTORNEYS was said to beOnc of the strong
est that ever went to the supreme court,
considering some of the broad grounds on
which new trial was asked.
In the Blois case il was
claimed that at the time of trial the pub
lie mind was so influenced by newspaper
articles about Mr. Meyers murder, and
demanding swift vengence on those ac-
cused of the crime, that it was impossible
for Blois to get fair trial.
THE JUDGES CHARGE TOO STRONG.
Another ground was that Judge Fall
gant's charge was really expressive of
opiniOn against the defendant, on account
OF the emphasis used in speaking of GER
tain phases of the murder. The other
grounds were that the evidence did not
Justify the verdict; that the only testi-
mony was that of an alleged accom-
plice, half idiotic. which the state
failed to CorrObOrate, and that
the direct testimony of three
witnesses established an alibi. The same
grounds were urged for Hayward with
the exception of the one relating to the
charge of the court.
Attorney Gazan argued the case in be-
half of the condemned men against Solici-
tor General Fraser and Attorney
General Terrell. He left Atlanta
night before last, and the first
first news of his victory came to him in
yesterdays MORNING News. He and Mr.
Benan were recipients of many COngratu-
lations during the day from the members
of the bar on their skillful handling Of
the case. Indeed il is quite a victory for
the young attorneys,
THE PRISONERS HAPPY.
When Mr.. Gazan carried the news to
Blois and Hayward that they We're TO get
another trial the prisoners manifested
great Joy at having the vision Of the gal
lows room and rope removed for a time at
least. BlOis said he knew God would
take care of an innocent man. and Hey
ward could not thank Mr.. Gazan suffi-
GENTLY. Jim Gay, the other member of
the trio, whose motion for a new trial has
not yet been decided by Judge Falligant,
grinned when he heard that Blois and
Hayward were given new lease of life,
but sullenly kept his feelings to himself.
There has been anything but good feeling
between him and Blois and Hayward
since their conviction.
GAY LIKELY TO GET NEW TRIAL.
The action of the supreme court, how
ever, will probably give Gay a new trial
also, as it has been understood that Judge
Falligant was awaiting the decision be-
fore passing upon Gays motion. In his
charge he overlooked the alibi point and
the members Of the bar generally agree
that this insureS Gay another trial.
The men viii probably be tried early in
the June term. One of the states prin-
cipal witnesses, Policeman Thomas B.
Quinn is dead, and Charlie Bacon, the
alleged accomplice who testified against
Gay, Williams, Blois, Hayward and
Lewis is serving his term in the peniten-
tiary. Lewis is also in the coal mines for
life. Williams was hanged last July and
died protesting his innocence. He claimed
he was victim of his association with
jim Gay.