Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-03-20
RATLIFF ACQUITTED.
A Jury of His Counirymen Decide Tie
WAS Justified in killing jackson.

parties. of Alfalfa county. The prose-
cution was represented by District At
torncy Hill. assisted by the firm of An
derson, Haden & Davis, local attorneys,
and the local law firms of Dodd * Arm
stead and Allen i McCool appeared
| for the defense.
The important facts brought out by
the testimony of both sides was in
substance as follows: \ week after
| the publication of Jackson'S denuncia-
tory card, the two men were at the
court house on business at the same
time. Ratlif passed near jackson in
the crowd gathered at bankrupt sale
and in doing so, without warning,
struck him back of the ear with his fist,
and then followed up his advantage by
clinching, when a scuffle began and
jackson FELL with Ratliff on top. They
were pulled apart by persons present,
when Jackson instantly drew his pis-
moment prevented by those around
him. Ratliff on seeing Jackson's PTS
toll. instantly drew his, when he was
! hustled out of the south door of the
court house by the sheriff and depu-
ty. AS he passed out, Jackson fired
one shot, anton getting out, Ratliif
fired two shots back toward the door.
which was instantly closed by persons
on the inside. jackson then eluded
those who were trying to restrain him
and went out another door ofthe court
house and followed Ratlff. who was
being carried off to one side of the
court yard by the sheriff and his depu-
ty. On seeing them, Jackson called to
the officers to get out of the way and
fired at Ratliff, who returned the fire.
1t is supposed Ratlilf's first shot miss
ed Jackson and killed young Russell.
jackson continued to advance and fire
on Ratlif. who stood his ground, and
when jackson was in six or eight feet
of him, Ratliff shot again, striking him
in the head and killing him instantly.
A majority of the witnesses testified
that there were six shots fired alto
gether.
Saturday evening the court in its in
structions to the jury threw out the
first count of the Indictment, which
was tor murder,and ordered the cause
to proceed under the second count,
which charged the defendant with as
sault and battery, with intent to kill
and murder. The jury was first ad-
dressed by Hon. w. A. Haden for the
State, followed by Hons. j. w. McCool
and A. A. Armistead for the defense.
Elk ongressman G.. l.. Anderson, for
the State, was followed by Hons. j. P.
Allen and S. L. Dodd for the defense.
| Argument was closed by District At
torney Hill, and the jury retired at
Ills Saturday night to consider their
verdict
The following dispatch from Kosci-
usko recites the closing act in the
drama:
KOsCIUsKo, March 19.-The jury in
the case of the State against w. p Rat
lift, charged with shooting with intent
to kill and murder S. A. Jackson, has
returned verdict of not guilty Vari-
Gus rumors reached the streets Sun
day about the general belief that YER
dict of acquittal had been agreed upon.
This belief was confirmed early this
morning. when jury sent messen-
ger to the judge, before he had eaten
his breakfast, that they had reached a
verdict, and wished to be discharged.
Judge Campbell hastily repaired to the
court room, had court called, and sent
word to the jury that he was ready to
receive their verdict. The jury at once
came into court and the foreman hand
ed the verdict to the clerk, 1t being
that 'We, the jury, find the defendant,
Ratliff, not guilty as charged
Though quite early. the court room
was filled with spectators, among the
number being friends of Jackson, the
defendant himself, members of his fam
lily and friends.
The verdict occasioned little sur
prise, as the feeling had become very
general that the State had not made
| ouU lCo CcSC. ctllCt Ullo udu
strengthened since Judge Campbell, on
Saturday evening, announced from the
bench that he would eliminate the first
count in the indictment, the one charg-
ing the defendant with murder, and
that the jury was called upon simply
to decide the second count. charging
the defendant with assault and battery
with intent to kill and murder.
Thus closes the Ratliff case, and the
defendant goes out free man, and
cannot be arraigned for the killing
of jackson.
While Jackson's friends are some
what cast down, and to some extent
chagrined at the verdict, they are not
greatly disappointed, as the State fail
ed to prove that Ratlitf had killed
jackson except in self defense.
After the rendering of the verdict
and the announcement by the court
that the defendant was free man.
Ratlif received the congratulations of
his friends, returned home to his fam
lily, and went about his business as
though nothing extraordinary had
happened. Through all the trial, he
has maintained complete self-control
and by his every act and gesture has
indicated the belief that he would be
be acquitted.
w. Z. Ratlif.
Tho fOIlnwiuU clyafob of Mr. potl;H