Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-24
BIGGERS ACQUITTED
ON MURDER CHARGE

making insulting remarks concerningNt
character OF his wife, and that he had,
IN several ways, insulted other members
OF his family. His whole plea was that
Of justification for the killing. Biggers
stated that he had often requested Simp-
son to cease spreading these remarks
about bis wife and family, and that Simp-
son had, on more than one occasion.
drawn a revolver and questioned Biggers'
right to say anything further in defense
OF HIS wife's good name. Biggers ad-
mitted arming himself. He said that the
presence OF the shotgun, he thought,
would compel Simpson to talk the matter
over peacably. Biggers told of meeting
Simpson I'm his mail cart on Crew street
on the morning Of the killing. According
70 Biggers, he called to Simpson and asked
him II certain remarks made IN regard 20
Biggers' wife had been made by Simpson.
Then. said the young man, simpson, with
an oath. drew his revolver and stated that
he had made the remarks. Biggers stated
that he ran toward Simpson and that
Simpson fired at him once. Simpson then
jumped from the cart and the two Crap
Piled, fighting for Ihe possession OF Simp-
sons revolver.
"As soon as Simpson jerked the revolver
away from me drew my own pistol ana
fired at him." testified Biggers.
He then went on TO say that as soon as
he saw what he had done, he picked up
the pistol OF the dead man and started
for the home OF Oficer Phillips. to give
himself up. Biggers stated that he met
Ohcer Phillips and surrendered to him.
telling him Of the trouble.
He began by telling OF his marriage In
1885. and told that when he moved into
the house on Crew street. Simpson was
not a resident Of that neighborhood. He
said that his acquaintance with Simpson
-. raI i'm
why he did not kill cat belonging TO
a neighbor. Simpson. he said. then began
abusing his family, and delivered the mail
by throwing Il at Mrs. Biggers face or
feet. Simpson, according TO Biggers, once
killed a chicken belonging TO Mrs. Biggers
and threw the dead body into the face Of
his aged mother-in-law. Mrs. Sterne.
One night he came home and found his
wife in tears. She would not tell him
what was the matter, other than that
damaging statements were being circu-
lated about her character.
He learned that Simpson was making
the statements, and called on him to dis
cuss the matter. Simpson drew a revolver
and demanded TO know what he was go
ing to do about IL. Being unarmed at
the time. Biggers said he could do nothing
AT another time he called on Simpson and
was met at the door by the letter carrier
with a revolver.
Biggers then told OF the petition which
Simpson had circulated through the neigh
borhood to have the Biggers family re-
moved. charging that they were running
a disorderly house. In the recorders
court. according to Biggers. this petition
was withdrawn by the petitioners attor-
ney.
Solicitor Hill then announced closed for
the state, after introducing in evidence
the revolver OF Simpson, the revolver Of
BIggers. -the-shot gun found TIeur tire
scene OF the tragedy. and the clothing OF
the dead man.
Judge Foster took away the limit OF
time allowed each side for the argument,
and gave each side as much time as
needed.
The defense, having introduced no evil
dence was given the opening and closing
arguments, and r. B. Blackburn, associ-
ate counsel for the defense. opened the
argument for Biggers, at l0:45.
-r. Blackburn spoke for forty minutes
and his speech was a mastery EFFORT
touching on all the details of the case.
Mr.. Stephens closed the opening argu-
ments for the state at 1880 o'clock, after
having spoken for an hour and ten min
utes. His speech was an exposition Of the
whole AFFAIR, from beginning TO end, and
he demanded the conviction OF Biggers
for murder in the first degree. Immedi-
dlcAg dAbSA NJ. 1NSPANAA7 -
argument Judge Foster adjourned court
until o'clock. and ordered the jury taken
70 dinner.
The case went to the jury Tuesday
afternoon and il has been a long wait for
Biggers his wife. and others who are
interested for the defense In the trial.
Immediately after charging the jury
Tuesday and giving the twelve men into
the care Of the sheriff. Judge Foster who
has presided over the trial during the
three days II has been in progress return
ed TO his home in Madison. He spent the
night there. Messages from him were to
the effect that he would return 10 Atlanta
at o'clock yesterday afternoon and &C
-.