The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-06-14
HIS NECK SAVED
JAMES HAWKINS SUBMITS To MUIR
DER IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
row Malice Aforethought- Sem
tence Left for the July Term of the
Superior Court.

Pursuant to adjournment for recess
on Tuesday evening the circuit crimi-
mai court convened at $3.50 O'Clock yes
terday morning, Judge E. x Bryan,
presiding.
The court took up the case against
James Hawkins, colored, charged with
the murder of John Jones, colored,
May 22nd, in Golfers Alley, or "Blood
Block Alley" Solicitor Rodolph Duffy
appeared for the state and the prisoner
was represented by B.. G.. Empie, Esq.
Esq. The prisoner was arraigned or
Monday and put in a plea of not guilty
on an indictment for murder. The ac-
cused was in court for trial yesterday
morning, and according to arrange
ment between the solicitor and the de-
PENDANTS counsel. he pleaded guilty to
murder in the second degree.
The state accepted Hawkins plea, as
in the absence of an important witness,
it was not possible to prove that the
killing Of Jones was premeditated and
done with malice aforethought. At a
game of cards on the night of May
22nd, in Golfers alley, Hawkins fired
six bullets into Jones. The state ex-
pected to prove that Hawkins during
the day aid he would kill Jones
but h witness who was to tes-
tify to that circumstance could
not to be had. The state ehere-
fore, accepted a plea Of guilty as
to murder in the second degree. Judge
Bryan did not sentence the prisoner,
continuing the prayer for judgment SO
that at the term of the superior court
to convene July Sth, Judge O. H.
Allen will examine the witnesses n
pass sentence. In the meantime Haw-
kins will lbe kept in Jail here as a wit
ness again William Bennett, colored,
against him. Bennett will be prosecut-
ed as an accessory to the. murder,
Hawkins having stated that he fired
two shots at the deceased. Bennett is
still in Jail and will be held for trial.
Robert Smith. colored. who has been
detained in jail as a witness against
Hawkins was required to give a bond
of $50 as a witness against Bennett.
He could not give bono n will be
kept in jail.
In the case of Mrs. Mary Williamson,
convicted of selling liquor without Ii
cense the defendant vas sentenced to
pay a fine of $40 n the costs. VIM. j..
Bellamy, Esq, counsel for the defend
ant made a motion for a new trial.
The motion was overruled and he
took an appeal to h superior
court. Notice of appeal was waived.
appeal bond was fixed at s25, and the
the defendant gave bond in h sum
of $225 for her appearance at the July
term of the superior court.
At 3:15 p. m. the jury which went out
at 8 o'clock on Monday afternoon on a
charge against Mrs. Williamson, for
selling LIQUOR on Sunday came into
court. They stated that they stood
seven for guilty and five for acquittal
and that they could not agree. a juror
was thereupon withdrawn, n the case
continued to the superior court which
convenes July Sth.
James New charged with assault and
battery with a deadly weapon having
struck William Simons, the Syrian
with a brick. pleaded guilty, and judg-
ment was suspended on payment OF the
costs.
King Bell. colored. who was convicted
of assault and battery with a deadly
weapon. was called and failed and his
bond was declared forfeited.
]. III. Ryan, charged with assault
and battery with a deadly Weapon, was
called and failed and his bond vas de-
clared forfeited.
At 4 o.. m, after signing several or
ders. Judge Bryan came down off the
bench and the court will be held open
till Saturday for orders. The work OF
h term has been finished unless
something else comes up between now
and saturday.
Under the act Of the last legislature
creating sixteen superior court circuits,
b circuit criminal court is abolished
after July 1st. so this is the dying term
of the court. Judge Bryan will mold
his last court at Warrenton Jure 2Sth
and after July 1st his commission as
Judge expires.