The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-13
Considered Judges Manner
and Words Insulting.
A SENSATION IN COURT
Mr.. Norris Will Never Again Appear
Before Judge Robinson.
UNNATURAL STEP. FATHER GETS SCORED
He Had His Little Step-Son Indicted For Steal.
ing Watch That Had Belonged to His
Father. A Verdict of Not Guilty"
Cheered by the Crowd.


Cheered by the Crowd.
Spectators in Wake county court house
were treated to two sensations yesterday
--one during the morning session of court
and one at the afternoon session.
The morning sensation was caused by
lawyer taking offense at the words and
manner used by the judge in addressing
him. The afternoon sensation was the &C
Quittal by the jury of young boy ac-
cused by his step-father of stealing his
(the boys) dead fathers watch from him
(the step-father).
The last case tried at the morning ses-
sion of court was that against John Har-
vel and B. t. Stevens, charging them with
an atfray. They had separate lawyers
and each defendant was trying to con-
vict the other. Mr.. Herbert E. Norris
represented Harvel and Col. Thos. M
Argo appeared for Stevens.
Though Stevens is Harvefs uncle, it
seems that bad blood had existed be-
tween them some time prior to the fight
and Harve had forbidden Stevens coming
it, instead of along the road-then the
fight. Harvel went on the stand and af-
ter telling of the fight and the circum-
stances connected with it, he was asked
by Mr. Norris in regard to the location
of the field in which the trouble occurred
and the road along which he was con-
tending Stevens ought to have gone.
Judge Robinson, evidently thinking time
hoi In, hc Slxi of
questions, remarked that it did not matter
how the land was situated. the fact that
Stevens was on Harvel's land was all
that was necessary.
Mr.. Norris thought it did matter
that the evidence was material and had
not been brought out.
Judge Robinson thought the jury thor
oughly understood it, and that it was not
material to the case anyway.
will you let me explain?" asked Mr..
Norris.
"No, it has been explained, sit down, =
the judge replied quickly.
Mr. Norris did not sit down. He stood
silent for a moment and then he asked
permission to retire from the case. Judge
Robinson said, Certainly and the trial
proceeded, Harvel's attorneys chair be-
ing vacant.
This case resulted in the acquittaE, of
Stevens and the conviction of Harvel.
Judge Robinson suspended judgment on
HarveI upon the payment of costs.
The incident created considerable SEN
saton at the time and much comment
later.
Mr.. Norris when seen by News and
Observer reporter said that Judge Robin
son had treated him in a manner that
no judge should use toward a lawyer at
the bar.
Il could not let his manner and lam
guage pass unnoticed. | shall never, I'M
less there is an explanation and apology
appear before him again. l have seven
cases on the docket yet untried and il
they cannot be continued shall get some
other lawyer to try them for me-
Judge Robinson said so much time was
being wasted in the useless examination
of the witness that he thought it neces-
sary to interfere.
The afternoon sensation was caused by
the trial of young Macon Baker. who
was charged by his step-father. II. S.
Lowery with stealing a watch. The facts
seem to be, or at least the jury so found
by it's verdict, that when Mr.. Baker died
he left watch which became the prop
erty of Mrs. Baker. and that she gave it
to the boy Recently Lowery desired pos
session of it and failing to get it, claimed
ownership Of it, alleging that he bought it
before his marriage at the sale of Baker S
effects The boy, still declining to give it
up, Lowery had him indicted for larceny.
During the trial Of the case the evil
dence was such that the sympathy of all
in the court room was soon enlisted in
the boys behalf and his attorney S
scathing denunciation of Lowery's unnat-
ural conduct in the matter was listened
to with many manifestations of approval.
Though the judges charge left no doubt
as to how the case would be decided the
verdict of mot guilty." rendered by the
cheers.
Silence" cried the sheriff.
Let them alone" said Judge Robinson.
81 don't care If they do cheer righteous
verdict like that
The trial of Nathan Holeman, of Apex.
charging assault with n deadly weapon
consumed much of the afternoon He
was acquitted. In the case against him
for obstructing a road by building. a
fence across it, he was fined 81 and costs
He appeals to the Supreme court.
"A. G. CASTOR was given eight months
on the roads for assault with deadly
weapon.
Sam Nichols was convicted of larceny
but Judgment was suspended on payment
of costs.
The sentence passed on Otis Terrell for
cruelty to animals was stricken out and
Judgment suspended on payment of costs
Court will probably adjourn today
Judge Robinson said yesterday he thought
the work could be completed by this
afternoon
The grand jury made it's report yester-
day and were discharged for the term.
The report sets forth that the jury visited
the various county Neutrality-suspicious. for
the aged and infirm, convict camp and