The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-01
ARE GUILTY OF MURDER
The Curtain Falls Upon the Last Act in the
Great Bonner Murder Drama.
GUILTY OF MURDER IN SECOND DEGREE
80 Snys 5ury of their Coun,rymcn-
diet CnInoved-The Verdict IA Great
Act of Mcrcy-Thirty Years r,r
RrantIy nnd The BELLS.

Washington, n. c., Jan. 3I-(SpeclaD
-Nhc court convened this morning
ZION. Z. Il. Warren continued his ar,u-
ment for the State. and completed /, at
II quarter to O'Clock this afternoon
rms was the closing argument in the
case. II was q close, application of the
Facts as presented by the State. ana
he fully sustained his former reputa-
llon as an able lawyer aud speaker
He was suffering with his throat caused
by cold. but he made one of the best
speeches In the case
Judge ioke's charge to the jury of two
hours duration was able and showed
lhat he had mastered the volunlinous
testimony in the case. II was clear
ana fun OF force ana impartial in every
respect of the case, showing no lean
ing toward the State or defendants. AT
$50 o'clock the jury took the case and
retired to their room
There is much speculation as to what
their verdict will be-
Therc was crowded courtroom again
all day, but not us many ladies in at
tendancc as usual. The prisoners all
seemed as cheerful as usual and paid
strict attention TO the Judges charge
They have not showed as much concern
during the whole trial as might have
been expected.
The case against David Creole, who
made Il confession, will likely be called
tomorrow and Il submission entered.
Several of tho jurors paid but lille
if any attention to the argument of
counsel on either side, but they all ex-
cept one, paid the strictcSt attention to
the charge of the Court
Ihe bonner murder trial has ended
which stands at the head of all murder
trials in the history of North Carolina
The murder of Mr.. John Il. Bonner was
the end OF 4 second Jesse James band
and II is well for Beaufort county that il
had such speedy termination. and
while, perhaps. justice might have been
nearer met, yet. all things considered, il
is we'll
bell was runG and from all quarters the
streets were lined with people making
their way in haste to hear the verdict
The Judge entered and took his seat
and the Clerk asked the jury il they
had agreed. and the response came.
I'VE have" and he asked. What say
you, are the prisoners at the bar guilty
or not guilty." and they answered.:
Guilty of murder in The second de-
gree"
The jury was polled at the request of
the counsel for defendants Bell y mo-
ton for new trial was lodged for all
the defendants, and ovcrrulcd, and the
Judge said in passing sentence: ITO my
mind there has been an act of great
mercy done this day in the county OF
Beaufort. What has led the jury to this
conclusion ] do not know: 1t may be
that 1t was on account of the youth OF
defendants or intended by the parties
At the outset, but the fatal shot was
fired by Sherrell Bell. the youngest of
the defendants, after the Others had
fed. and in some frenzy, fright or apprc-
henSion of discovery. The jury, | be-
licvc. have acted from conscientious mo-
tives and can have the satisfaction of
knowing that If they have erred II has
been on the side of mercy. but there has
been an atrocious and horrible murder
done on an innocent and inomcnsive
man. No one who heard the evidence
and heard II impartially. but was forced
To the conclusion that these defendants
were the perpetrators of the deed.
They are all guilty, and every one OF
them, and the jury IN rendering this
verdict for murder in the second degree
have extended them all the mercy they
deserve or should receive. and on this
verdict the extreme penalty of the law
for such an offcESc must he imposed In
the case. II is considered and adjudged
by the Court that uriah Bell, Sheriff.
Bell, and w. ii. Brantlcy. Jr., be con-
fined at hard labor in the pcnitentiary
for, and during the term OF thirty
years"
Notice of appeal was given. after
which the case of said David Creole. one
OF the accompliceS i'll the affair, and
who confessed, was called He was
represented by Mcssrs. Stephen G.
Brasaw. Of this place. ana S. S. Mann.
OF Swan Quarter. He entered Il plea OF
guilty Of murder in the second degree
and Mr. l3raSaw made most touching
appeal. He asked for mercy and re-
fcrrcd To the fact that he had done the
State "a great service in this case and
that lie is IL weak, ignorant fellow. who
has had no parents To rear and train
him. The Judge sentenced him to If
teen years In the pcnitcntiary. The first
ballot taken by the jury showed that
seven We're for verdict OF guilty and
five for acquittal. They had the case
twenty hours before finding n verdict
The defendants showed no emotion or
surprise when the verdict was rendered.
Brantleys wife showed some emotion,
but his father and mother sat resigned
to the circumstances.