The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-28
JOE BLOIs RELEASED.
The Only One Charged with Meyers
Murder Who Secured His Freedom.

The Only One Charged with Meyers
Murder Who Secured His Freedom.
Joe Blois, the last of those charged
with the murder of August Meyer, which
occurred Jan. q, 1892, was released from
Jail yesterday by order Of Judge Falli-
CANT Blois is the only of those charged
with the crime who secured his liberty.
Blois was to have had his third trial
He was convicted shortly after the muir
der and sentenced to be hanged. The
principal evidence relied upon by the
state was that of Charley Bacon, who
was an accomplice in the commission of
the crime, and who was charged with
keeping watch while the others commit
ted the murder. The case was taken to
the supreme court by Messrs. Livingston
Kenan and Jacob Gazan, who repre-
scented BlOis, and Marion Hayward, who
had also been convicted, and new trials
were granted both on the ground that
the testimony of Bacon had not been suf-
ficiently corroborated in the other testi-
mony introduced by the state to warrant
a conviction. The supreme court held that
the evidence relied on by the state to
corroborate that given by Bacon was
rather in Blois faver than against him.
Blois was given a second trial and was
a second time convicted, but recomm tended
TO the mercy of the court. On this con-
viction he was sentenced by Judge Falli-
giant to Hfe Imprisonment. The state,
however, had failed to bring out any adj
ditonal evidence in confederation of that
given by Bacon, and a new trial was
granted by Judge Falligant on the same
grounds given by the supreme court in
it's decision.
Solicitor General Fraser stated that
since a second new trial had been grant
ed on this same ground, the state had
held a consultation with it's witnesses
but had been unable to get at any new
evidence to further eorroborate Bacons
testimony. In view of this situation of
affairs he made a motion that Blois be
released from Jail by order of the court.
Messrs. Kenan and Gazan, attorneys for
the defendant, insisted that the indiet-
ment against Blois should be nolle
pressed. but Solicitor General Fraser
said he would not be able to go into an
argument on that matter at the present
time, and he refused to make a motion
to that effect. As long as the indictment
stands the state has the opportunity to
search for further evidence on the line
needed, and if it is procured the case can
be brought up again.
Gus Williams, one of the murderers
was hanged. James Gay and Adam
Lewis were sent to the penitentiary for
life. Charles Bacon. who practically
turned states evidence, got one year.
Marion Hayward, against whom there
was the same sort of evidence as that
on which Blois was first convicted, died
in jail The position that Bacon's testi-
mony was not sufficiently corroborated
for conviction of Blois and Hayward
has been the contention of their attor-
neys throughout the trial. The case is
one that has been bitterly fought. There
was much feeling on the part of Meyers
countrymen, who were outraged at the
murder, and some of them employed Hon.
F. G. duBignon to aid the state in the
prosecution of those against whom the
charge was brought. Blois has been in
Jail over three years, and this in all
probability is the termination of the
case 80 far as the courts are concerned.