The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-13
CASE GOING AGAINST CARTER.
DAMAGING TESTIMONY BROUGHT
IN BY PROSECUTION.

Harrington Takes. the stand and
Swears That the other Defendants
Try to Put the blame for the Al
legged Incendiarism on Him.
Claims He Was offered Notes for
$4,000 to Assume the Crime-CIOs-
ing Arguments Made.
Jesup, Ca, July 12.-Court reconvened
promptly at O'Clock this morning and the
attorneys in the Carter case proceeded to
examine the witnesses for the state. until
1880 O'Clock. The state had some fifty
witnesses 10 examine, who stood a rigid
cross-exsmination, but all held very firm
ly.
Hon. Tom Watson made some heroic ef-
forts to have certain eepidence ruled out
but Judge Sweat held that it was admissi-
bic and explained his legal authority for
SO doing.
The defendant made a statement to the
jury.
The next witness examined was B. F.
Harrington, or Berry Harrington, who
was the star witness of the, day. Her.
rington was taken through the whole af-
fair, and was the target for a heavy cross
fire from the defense, but stood firmly and
held to his original statement. He has
the sympathy of the community, as he is
the youngest one of the prisoners, and
from his statement. 1t appears that an ef-
fort was made to faster the whole of the
crime on him. He gave some very damag-
ing evidence against Leonard Carter, the
defendants brother, d. II. Moody and
young DR.. J. d. Moody.
He testified that Immediately after last
Superior Court those parties told him if
he would make the affidavit that he was
the one who burned the depot they would
give him the sum of 5000. for which they
would give him their five notes for s., 900.
each, due at intervals of eight months
each. He produced four of the notes in
court, and the other he says, Mr.. Moody
has in his possession 10 indorse on it a
credit of $3.50, which they have paid on it,
He said L. Carter did not sign the notes
but he took Harrington to Brunswick,
where this affidavit was made and told
him that he would not sign the notes, but
would guarantee to see that they were
paid. Harrington says this affidavit he
then made was false, but he made it to
protect his life, as it had been threatened
if he did not 1oG...tf e-,,
Afterwards, yet being afraid of Violence
the sheriff here, for the sheriff to protect
him. He would not even disclose il then
before court, for fear he would be taken
out of the Jail and killed. When Herring
ton made this statement. there was sew
eral Kisses from the audience, because of
the startling evidence in behalf of the
state.
Harrington is a mere lad. not being over
20 years old. He weighs 100 pounds and is
very genteel looking young man. He
does not have the appearance of a harden
ed criminal. He answered the questions
put to him by the attorneys very intelli-
gently.
The evidence was all in this afternoon
by $3.50 O'clock. and the arguments We're
begun Immediately afterwards, the defense
having the opening and closing 1t was de-
cided that Col e. d. Graham of McRae
should make the opening speech, which
was of nearly one hours duration. He
made a strong talk and raised many points
Of legal authority
Col. Graham was followed by Col. Ben
rett of Brunswick, who also spoke about
the same length of time and made an ex-
cellent speech
He was followed by Col Kay of Bruins
wick, who followed very closely behind
his two opponents and cleared up every
legal point 10 the jury that his opponents
had offered His legal ability and tact as
a criminal lawyer was clearly demon
Strated He spoke for one hour and forty
minutes, and was extremely impressive.
Next came Col. S. R. Harris for the
state, who is weli-known by every citizen
of Wayne county. He made very fine
address and showed several legal points.
Immediately after TIE Harrington state
ment, Carter made a statement which was
very short and a general denial of every
thing. so
The defense put mp no evidence of any
character. When Harrington was brought
into court his counsel insisted in confer
ring with him privately before he talked
with anybody about the case. After such
private conference. Solicitor Bennett and
Col. Kay for the prosecution was allowed
to interview him. in the presence of his
counsel.
A very interesting circumstance took
place when his attorney, ex-Judge M. L.
Mershon, demanded that ne be marked
with the prosecution ofiCarter for the pro-
lection of his client, which was done
Mr.. Moody says that Harrington made a
statement to him while in Atlanta that he
did the burning himself, and no one else
was connected with it, But he failed to
place this in rebuttal as defense.
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