The age-herald., 1902-02-21
Judge Denies Petition of De- fendant in Habeas Corpus
 Proceedings
SCENE FOLLOWS DECISION
Wife and Sister Throw Their Arms About Coffman and Sob-Case to e Tried at an Early
 Date.

R. D. Coffman, who Is in jail on the killing of the Rev. J. w Bradford at Brookside some weeks ago. was denied bail yesterday afternoon by Judge S. F. Greene of the Criminal Court. The habear corpus proceedings were thus brought to a close, and the petition of the defendant dismissed.
 Judge Greene, in rendering his decision denying bail, stated that there were two theories in the case, one insisted on by the petitioner and the other by the state. He said that 1t would be improper for the judge passing upon this application to express any opinion as to which of these theories was true, for to do so might prejudice the interests of the peti- tioner or the state upon the final truths
 He simply said that if the theory in- sisted on by the state should be believed by the jury trying the case and the peti- tioner should be convicted of the degree of murder punished capitaly the judge trying the case would not set the verdict aside.
 The decision was rendered by the judge shortly after o'clock, the attorneys de- ciding not to present any arguments, but allow the question to be settled without delay.
 Pathetic Scene in Court.
 The announcement of the result was followed by very pathetic scene between Coffman and his wife and sister They had been very hopeful of a successful termination of the habeas corpus hear ing, and when the end came they burst out crying. Both put their arms about the defendant and for several minutes only their sobbing could be heard throughout the court room.
 The hearing of the petition was begun last week, but was postponed Saturday until yesterday. During the morning several witnesses were introduced by both the defense and the state. These were in the main corroborative and rebut- tai.
 E. s. Cunningham, civil engineer, had prepared a map showing the position of the houses about the Methodist parsonage in Brookside, where the killing took place. This map was introduced by the state for the purpose of showing that the state witness who swore to seeing the shooting could have seen 1t from the pos ition she occupied.
 Character of Dead Minister.
 Some witnesses were also introduced as to the character of the deceased, his character having been attacked by the attorneys for the petitioner. Among these was MT. J. w. Yam, who said that he knew Rev. MT. Bradford at Huffman, and that his reputation there was good On cross-examination he was shown the letter written by Mr. Bradford to MT R. G. Hewitt. He said that he recognized the letter, that MT. Bradford showed it to him before sending 1t to MT Hewitt and that he advised him not to send it. The letter was again offered in evidence by the petitioner. but Judge Greene re- fused to admit it.
 Other witnesses for the state who testi- fled about the character of the dead man were B. w. Taylor. s. A. Dupee, T. w. Riddle and J. D. Carlisle. To corroborate the statements of Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Cloud relative to seeing the shooting frcm their homes and to define clearly the situations of their houses the state introduced s. w. Wooden, Rev. w. P. Blevins, Dr. J. F. Robbins, J. L. Tay- Tor and J. T. Selars.
 The defendant intro duced James Poole. Fred Eastis Bishop Perkins, c. o. kei- ly and J. w. Mosely to corroborate the statement of Mrs. Hunt regarding the al- legged conversation on the bridge to which she testified last week.
 If Is mt believed that my further at- tempt will be made to secure the re- lease of Coffman. His trial before a jury will be set for an early date, and all ac- tion will probably be held in abeyance until then.