The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-17
REOPENS AT TEN TODAY
Judge Shaw Before The Adjournment
Announces That He Will An
nounce His Decision on the
Motion for Continu-
ance Later.
Especial to News and observer.)


Especial to News and Observer)
Wilson. N. c., June 16.-At the open
ing of court at 9:S0 this morning the affi-
davit in the Jones murder trial were taken
up. When his honor asked for these affi-
davits Mr.. Jno E. Woodland answered
that he did not know whether or not the
affidayits we're ready and would have to
not then in court. His Honor instructed
the sheriff to send out at once for Mr..
Pou. of the defendants counsel and notify
him that the court was ready to hear the
affidavits. In a short while Messrs. Pou
and Cannon came into court and requested
that the defendants be brought into court
and that they be given time in which to
sign the affidavits. After the affidayits had
been signed by all the defendants. except
nounced to the court that the defendants
we're ready to present the afidavits. His
Honor ordered that this affidavit be read
to the court which was done by Mr..
woodard as follows:
THE DEFENDANTS AFFIDAvITS.
North Carolina-Wilson County.
In the Superior Court. Special Term,
June, 1903.
The State VS.. ]. B. Piver. w W. Barnes
John Allen, J. T. Bass, G. D. Ward w
H. Rich. John Pittman, George Whitley,
w. P. Groom, Lawrence Morgan, S. j.
Walls.
Each being duly sworn deposes and says,
that they are not ready to be put to trial
at this term of the Superior court of
Wilson county for that
First-Because they have not yet had
the proper and necessary time to prepare
their defense to the charge for which
they stand indicted, for the reason that
the crime for which they stand indicted
was committed according to the evidence
taken before the coroner, between one and
two O'Clock on the morning of May 14th.
1903, and that these defendants were all
arrested and confined to the county jail
between the hours OF five and seven CT
said date.
That the defendants Lawrence Morgan,
S. J. Walls were released upon bond on
the third day thereafter, but that all the
other defendants were kept in said Jail
for the space of twenty-one days except
the defendants George Whitley and w. H.
Rich, who have been in said Jail ever
since said date.
That the defendants w. w. Barnes, ].
B. Piver, John Allen and John Pittman,
were sick during their confinement in said
jail, and the defendants w. w. Barnes and
J. B. Piver are now sick, confined to
their homes. That because of their con
dition the said defendants have not been
able to confer with their counsel and
properly prepare their defense
That the Superior court of this county
was in session during the week the crime
for which these defendants are to be tried
was committed, and that Immediately
after the commission of said crime the
solicitor for the State drew bill against
these defendants and the grand jury OF
said court returned a true bill against
them that during the session of the
grand jury at which said bill was found
and returned, the coroner of the county
was holuding an inquest over the body OF
the deceased, Percy L. Jones.
That after a careful investigation the
jury summoned and sworn by the coroner
the defendants to-wit: Lawrence Morgan
s. j. Walls. John Pittman and ]. T. Bass
were not mentioned by the coroners jury
IN this verdict
That at the said inquest the solicitor
Tor the State was present and examined
the witnesses summoned to appear before
SAID jury; that although the same wit
nesses appeared before the grand jury as
appeared before the coroner, so intense
was the feeling against the defendants at
SAID time that the grand jury found a true
bill against them all.
That because of the fact that the de-
PENDANTS were confined to the county jail
SO long. and as these defendants are men
OF small means they have been unable
to see their friends and relatives and ar
range to employ counsel to represent them;
that it is true that the defendants have
seen counsel, yet for some time after
their arrest and confinement to the coun-
ty jail they were unable TO satisfactorily
arrange to pay their counsel the fees 10
appear for them; that at this time some
of the defendants have not yet made "a
isfactory arrangements with counsel tn
appear for them; that on account of the
shortness of time and the sickness of the
defendants as aforesaid, their confinement