Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-11-25

dict and grant new Trial.
Commenting on the affidavits of Messrs.
Dobson and Nichols, his honor said that
it only went to show that the constable
was doing his whole duty. AS to the
other affidavits, his honor had nothing to
say. But continuing, his honor said that
al the close of the states case, he fully ex-
pected an acquittal of all three defen-
dants. This was because there was so
much ground for reasonable doubt. In
deed, he fully expected that the defense
would decline to offer any testimony
whatever. Had the defense offered no
testimony and the jury had brought in a
verdict Of guilty, he would have had no
hesitation in setting that verdict aside.
But, under the present circumstances, he
could do nothing of the kind. He thought
the jury was perfectly honest and had
done its duty. After that woman was put
on the stand,n his honor continued, "the
whole aspect of the case was changed.
Before she had proceeded a minute, the
nature of the story she was about to tell
dawned upon me, and began to feel it
in my bones, so to speak, that the other
two would surely be convicted as they
ought to have been." Continuing, his
honor reviewed the testimony of Robert
Anderson. II advised Anderson" he
said, that would not testify against my
wife, no matter how unfaiLhful she may
have been to me. On the direct-exami-
nation he only testified to the handwriting
of his wife without reading the letters.
On the cross examination he was asked
if he had not re-maI ried his wife to
escape the payment of alimony; and
then, on the redirect examination, it
was nothing but right to allow him to tell
why he had left her the second time.
Mrs. Anderson Is now out Of it. Mr..
Anderson's testimony has no effect on
the other prisoners. During all the long
trial, I may have made some inadver-
tent errors of law. / was very careful,
however, and when in doubt invariably
leaned toward the defendants. II the
counsel had been able to show me that
I had made errors of law, even from
which there could be no appeal, I would
willingly grant new trial; but no such
error having been called to my attention,
I shall leave the matter to the supreme
court" Referring to the matter Of ap-
plause, his honor said that, in each in
stance-he remembered of but two
cases-he did what he could to check it in
its incipiency. In conclusion, he said that
although this matter was extremely un-
pleasant, he must discharge his duty as
he saw fit. He was thoroughly satisfied
that if these parties had not gotten fair
trial, they would never get one; and,
therefore, their application was refused.
At the conclusion of his remarks, his
honor called for the arraignment of the
prisoners. 1t was another solemn scene.
The two men came forward tremblingly.
There was breathless stiffness over the
courtroom, and something in the very
atmosphere that visibly affected many Of
those present. Even Clerk Wylie, who
had gone through the same thing many
times before, showed signs of deep agi-
tation. AS he re-read the indictment for
the last time, the paper trembled in his
hands until finally be laid it on the table
and put his hands in his pockets. And
tho clerk was perhaps no more concerned
than others beside the prisoners. In an
swer to the question as to whether or not
they had anything more than they had
already said, why sentence should not be
pronounced against them, the prisoners
re manned silent.
. His honor, Judge Watts, showed no
outward sign of agitation; but proceeded
with the duty Of passing sentence as in
ther cases. In substance he said:
~ am always sorry for anyone in your
condition. You have been tried for the
murder of Charles T. Williams. The
jury said that you are guilty, and in my
opinion the verdict is sustained by the
facts. You two are the murderers. You,
NJ. r. Reese, have lead an irregular and
vicious life, and you are now reaping as
you have sown. You, Daniel Luckie, I
regard as the weaker vessel. The testi-
mony satisfies me that you have only
been servile tool Of the stronger mind
of M. R. Reese. There is no doubt in
my mind that Mrs. Anderson is morally
responsible for the death of Charles T..
Williams, although do not believe that
he came to his death, as she says, at her
hands. 1t was at the hands of you,
NJ. r. Reese, and you, Daniel Luckie;
but to my mind the woman is respon-
sible for your present condition-the sac
ritice of your liberty for the balance of
your days. But I do not wish to be
unnecessarily cruel in my remarks.
They can be Of no benefit to you now.
The sentence Of the court is that you,
Marion R. Reese, and you, Daniel F.
Luckie, shall be confined in the state
penitentiary. at hard labor, for the bal
ance Of your natural lives"
Major Hart gave notice of an appeal to
the supreme court from the judgment Of
Judge Watts. In a few moments the
courthouse was deserted by the specta-
tors who had come in to see the windup
of this remarkable case, and after being
again handcuffed together, Reese and
Luckie were hurried back to the Jail.
In the opinion of lawyers and others
familiar with the case, it is possible that
they may get new trial from the su-
preme court; but their chances of it,
to say the least, are desperate.
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