New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1903-03-14
BATsON FOUND GUILTY OF THE MUIR
DER OF THE EARL FAMILY.

Lake Charles, La, March H.
Albert f.. Batson was tonight found
guilty of the murder of the Earl
family. This means death, and
the prisoner will be hanged, unless
TIVE Supreme Court grants him an
other trial.
Judge Miller took recess at g
O'Clock until 8 o'clock, when he
promised to return, and if the Jury
had reached verdict, he said, he
would receive it,
The fact was kept as quiet as pos
sible, not even Mrs. Payne being
Informed, but somehow or other it
leaked out, and when Judge Miller
arrived at o'clock there WAS about
a hundred people in and about the
courtroom. Mrs. Payne was in
formed then, and appeared in court
wearing a gray gown and a black
waist, with comforter over her
head.
District Attorney Moore was alb
sent, however, and then there was
some delay, so it was Eot until S:25
D. m. that the Jury came il.
They had reached a verdict, and
it was handed to the judge, who,
after readingit, handed it 10 the
Clerk, who read:
awe, the Jury, find the accused
guilty as charged
For second time BatsOn stood
convicted, and for second time
he will be sentenced to death.
The defense has only reserved
two bills of exception, one Of
which is mos; probably not en-.
able. The other. however, is based
ON the testimony of Mrs. Maud Earl
Ingram. who declared that the
notice found near Ward Enrls
house was not in her brothers
handwriting. As she was not an
expert, the defense objected to her
testimony in this respect
It was on a similar point that the
Supreme Court reversed the finding
of this Court and gave Batson a
new trial.
DRAMATIC SCENE IN COURT.
Mrs Payne sat rigid as marble
statue for some minutes, aud then,
with deep groan, she sank back
in her chair, her eyes rolled wildly
few moments and she became
as pale as a ghost.
A score of deputy sherlffs sur
rounded her and physician was
sent for. Batson sat with his
arms around his mothers neck,
and couch was procured and the
wretched woman laid upon 1t pend
ing the arrival of the physician. Her
lips were bloodless, and at times
she gasped for breath. Batson
moved his chair over beside the
couch, and finally the poor woman
revived and then became hysteri-
cal.
She threw her arms about her
loved son, ands sob after sob was sent
from her breast. Then she com
menced weeping and was carried
into the anteroom on the couch.
Batson was kept in court and
Clerk Gill then proceeded to read
the minutes Of the trial from its
to the finding OF
the verdict. Court then adjourned
until tomorrow.
Batson was handcnffed to Deputy
Sheriff Dave Lyons aud they pro-
ceeded to the prison, followed by
4 large crowd of reporters and
others. When Batson reached the
head of the stairs he was asked
if he had anything to say.
"Nothing," be answered "except
hat they treated me mighty bad
Batson shook hands with the
of the Picayune aud
asked him to come aud see him in
the morning, aud he WAS taken into
the inner cell aud locked up.
When Mrs Payne recovered she
was taken to her hotel, the Walker
House physician attending her.
ADAY OF SURPRISES.
All throughout the trial of A.
b. Batson surprises were promised.
One time it was the State, then it
was the defense, and again the
State, aud again the defense, aud
he public looked forward to any
of surprises. 1t remained,
however, for the defense to spring
he greatest surprise Of all. Just !
when the audience were becoming !
leeply interested 10 the defense, t
md when the next witnesses called !
would be sure to surprise them, the
License abruptly closed aud did not
ven put Batson on the stand Al {
hongh up to the very last moment, f
ven the defense were making pre- r
'arations for his appearance as a
Witness
The closing of the case so sud.
enly was a most astonishing sur
rise. The more so that everybody
that il Batson would make
ny explanation at all, that the
tate would be willing TO accept it
nd let him go. a
Thd State closed about i o clock,