The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-01
MURDER, SECOND DEGREE
THAT WAS THE VERDICT IN THE
BONNER TRIAL.
The Most Famous Criminal Prosecu-
ton Ever Known in the
State.


cial)-The Bonner murder trial has
ended. Easily it stands at the head of
all murder trials in the history of
North Carolina. The murder of John
b. Bonner was the end of the second
Jesse James band, and it is well for
Beaufort county that it had such a
speedy termination. While, perhaps
Justice might have been better meted
out than it has, yet, all things c0nsid-
cred, it is well.
At 2 o'clock to-day the court house
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 juryif they had
agreed, and the response came, I'VE
have" Then he asked, What say you,
are the prisoners at the bar guilty or
not guilty." and the foreman answer
ed, Guilty of murder in the second de
gree"
The jury was polled at the request Of
the counsel for the defendants Bell,
and a motion for a new trial was lodged
for all the defendants, and oyerruled.
The Judge said, in passing sentence:
''To my mind there has been an act OF
great mercy done this day in the coun-
ty of Beaufort. What has led the jury
to this conclusion | do not know. 1T
may have been that it was on account
of the youth of the defendants. Possibly
they thought the killing was not de-
signed or intended by the parties at
the outset, but the fatal shot was fired
by Sheriff. Bell, the youngest of the
defendants, after the others had fled
and in some frenzy, fright or appre-
hension Of discovery.
THE jury, believe, have acted from
conscientious motives, and can have
the satisfaction of knowing that if they
have erred it has been on the side of
mercy, but there has been an atrocious
and horrible murder done ON an inno-
cent and inotfensive man, and no one
who heard the evidence and heard it
impartially, but was forced to the con
clusion 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 muir
der 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
offense must be imposed i'm the case.
1t is considered and adjudged by the
Court that Uriah Bell, Sheriff. Bell,
and w. II. Brantley, Jr., be confined
at hard, labor in the penitentiary for
and during the term Of thirty years" =
Notice of appeal was given, after
which the case of David CredIe, one Of
the accomplices i'm the affair and who
confessed, was called. He was repre-
sented by Messrs. Stephen G. Bragaw
of this place, and S. S. Mann, of Swami
Quarter. He entered plea of guilty
of murder in the second degree, and
Mr.. Bragaw made a most touching APP
peal in his behalf
lie asked for mercy and referred to
the fact that he had done the State
great service in this case, and that he
is weak, ignorant fellow who has had
no parents to rear and train him. The
Judge sentenced him TO fifteen years
in the penitentiary.
The first ballot taken by the jury
Yesterday showed that seven were for
verdict OF guilty and five for acquit-
tai. They had the case twenty hours
before finding verdict.
The defendants showed no emotion
or surprise when the verdict was rem
dered. Brantley's wife showed some
emotion, but his father and mother
sat resigned TO the circumstances.