The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-28
W.R.WALKER RELEASED
PRELIMINARY TRIAL HELD IN
 sELMA YESTERDAY.
Justice of the Peace Lloyd Decided That the Defendant Acted in Self-defense When He
 Killed W. W. Bates.
Advertiser Bureau,

Advertiser Bureau,
 Selma, June 27.
 The preliminary trial of William R. Walker, charged with the killing of w w. Bates, in Walkers saloon, took place before Justice l. D. Lloyd at the court house today. Several of Mir. Bates's relatives from Perry County were present. while quite a crowd of MT. Walkers friends filled the court room.
 The first witness called was MT. Lem Conneiley, barkeener in Walkers sa- loon. He swore that he knew MT. Walker: did not know w. w. Bates; saw both men on June 24th; they were in M. o. Walkers saloon at ten minutes to 3: saloon is on Alabama Street; they were standing at the counter in the bar: they were in mild conversation could not hear what they were saying; the shooting took place a half hour after that; if there were any harsh words before the shooting I did not hear them; my attention was attract ed first by some one saying, Don't you pull that gun I heard the click of a gun; voice that said don't pull that gun" sounded like Will Walkers voice: to the best of my knowledge and belief 1t was Will Walkers voice; Bates was ClulIQlHS ih Otb OA CO0ntCtb W 1thCA was behind the counter; l then turned and looked at the two men; saw them both; Walker had gun in his hands looked like a Colts; don't know it's calibre; Bates was facing Walker; they were from three to i've feet apart; I saw the shot fired: Will Walker fired the shot. Bates had his hand on butt of his gun; saw his gun; his hand was on it. was in that position when l left to wait on @ customer: when 1 saw him next, he was falling: from half minute to minute and half elapsed from the time I saw him with hand on his gun until saw Bates fall; took hold of Walker and showed him to the front of the saloon; took his revolver from him; two gentlemen were in sa- loon at time; don't know whether col ored barkeeper saw shooting or not.
 Crossed by attorney for defense: l clerked for Walker at the time; Bates drew pistol and pointed it toward Walker; MT. Walker said. Il don't want anything like that Walker was in his shirt-sleeves; did not see him have a pistol; Walker got pistol from behind the counter; was running toward walk ar when shot was fired; Bates had ms hand on pistol when I left him; walk CT attracted my attention by saying Don't you pull that gum; one snot was fired; Bates was shot through low CT part of right hand; don't know where ball entered his body; Bates ntsroI hung from a scabbard on his Ieft-hand side; after Bates's death l saw a large hunting knife on his per son. blade was an inch wide and aoout six inches long; that is the same Kino of A pistol that he had on that day' u tba hast of my belief, that is the knlfe that Bates had on: Bates haa some otbar stuff. I saw two half plnts or tvhiskey: Walker surrendered To Chiel of Police when he came in.
 There being no attorney representing the State, Justice Lloyd questioned lne witness some, but no new facts were brought out, except that bdlee W"9 staggering; Walker was wa.S.e .ss straight: didn't see either one or tneLll fake drink. Justice Lloyd did not ask any more questions and the wlt- ness here left the stand. ,.,s.--....,.
 Henry Cruikshank, colored, then LOOK +ha stand He swore that he Knew Walker; did not know Bates; was pres ant when shooting took place; It was between and 1 o'clock; was Tn rear ,end saw Bates with gun in his hanu saw Walker fire; he was benino tns counter; saw Bates. he was III lrohs U. counter; they were four or nNe leeI snart: Bates was facing Walker; bates had his right hand toward his left hroa st. did not see gun in Bates's hand Snn't know how long Bates had been W in saloon; didn't hear any loud talking heard Walker say, Don't draw tnat t gun" in few second gun fired; did not know Bates's condition ..
 The attorney for the defense nere asked Cruikshank a few questions These were the two principal wltnesseS' hut five or six more were eXanliiieu: U: but nothing further was oeVelopeu 0A startling nature. 1,,s+ico
 After hearing all the evidence, Justice 1iovd decided that Mir. Walker had acted in self-defense and released hin