The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-31
TOM JONES TO DIE;
MAY nth THE DAY
Found Guilty of Murder in
First Degree.
AND SENTENCED To HANG
The Fatal Day Exactly Six Weeks
From Yesterday.
AND SENTENCED TO HANG
AN APPEAL WILL PROBABLY BE TAKEN
George Lee, the Boy Who Poisoned His Sister,
Submitted to Verdict Of Murder in the
Second Degree and Was Sent to
Penitentary For Ten Years.

Two murder cases were yesterday
disposed of in Wake Superior court.
In the Tom Jones case the jury, al
ter being out seventeen hours, brought
in a verdict of guilty of murder in the
first degree, and the prisoner was sen
11th.t
In the George Lee case an agreed
verdict of murder in the second degree
was recorded. and the prisoner was
sentenced to ten years Imprisonment
in the penitentiary, at hard labor.
Tom Jones. one week ago. murder
ed a whole family, consisting of a
mother and five children.
George Lee, last October, killed with
poison his sister, Julia Hobby.
1t developed yesterday morning
that the jury in Tom Jones ease was
hung by one man, George T.. Booth.
of Cary, who was opposed to capital
punishment. He had insisted on
verdict of murder in the second de-
gree. All the morning and much of
the night the other jurymen had ar
gued with him. but not until 10 o clock
did he agree to a verdict of murder
in the first degree. When he did SO
the twelve men flied into the court
room.
Asked for their verdict, they said
s'Guilty of murder in the first degree"
The Negroes attorney, Mr.. Beckwith.
made the usual request for poll of
the jury. The clerk proceeded to take
it. Seven of the jurors answered:
Guilty of murder in the first degree.
But the eighth. George Booth, said:
81 did consent to a verdict of guilty
in the first degree, but since | have
come into the court room it has seem
ed to come to me that it must be sec
ond degree.
''Then you must retire until you all
agree said the Judge. and the jurors
filed back into the jury room.
An hour later they came back,
agreed in their verdict.
The solicitor prayed the Judgment
of the court. Mr.. Becl<with asked de-
lay until today. Judge Hcke declined
to grant it.
Then Mr.. Beckwith moved that the
verdict be set aside on the ground
that it was contrary to the evidence
in any view of it, for the further reas-
on that he, as the prisoners attorney.
had not bad the time to prepare a
proper defence or secure the witness
es that might have been obtained to
testify in the negro's behalf.
This motion also Judge Hoke over
ruled. saying that the defense had
been conducted in the best manner
possible. that every argument that
could have been used to save the man
was put with force: that the case
was ably handled and the delay of
the jury in rendering their verdict
showed that they gave it the most
careful consideration.
Mr.. Beckwith asked that the usual
notice of appeal be entered. 1t was
done
The prisoner was then ordered to
stand up TO receive his sentence.
Judge Hoke. addressing him, said:
You have been found guilty of the
highest crime known to the law. that
of feloniously and wilfully numbering
a human being. In this hour of your
greatest extremity | do not wish to
harrass you by a recital OF the hideous
horrors of your crime. 1t devolyes up
on me to pass the sentence prescribed
by the law and it is hereby ordered
that YOU be turned over to the sheriff
of this county and by him be recon-
mitted to the common jail, whore YOU
shall be kept in confinement until