The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-24
BREl7HITT COUNTY MURDER TRIAL.
One Juror Held Out and Pre-
vented Verdict.
Judge Redwine Changes Venue to Gym
thiana, More than 100 Miles from
the Mountains.

Jackson, Ky, June l9.-But for one
Juror Curtis Jett would have been
convicted here today for the murder
of J. B. Marcum, and majority of
the jury also favored the conviction of
Thomas White. Both are tonight al
most 100 miles from home in jail at
Lexington, and their next trail will
be at Cynthiana, more than 100 miles
from Jackson, away from the noun
tains and the Blue Grass region, under
very different conditions from those
existing in Breathitt County. ssass
The interest in the change of venue
today was seconded only to the YER
dict. When Judge Redwine refused to
hear arguments on the change of loca-
ton it was stated by many in the
Court House that the presiding Judge
had heard from Governor Beckham,
who is generally believed to have had
something to do with the change Of
venue to Harrison County, which is in
the 18th judicial district of Kentucky,
where j. j. Osborne is the Circnit
Judge, L. P. Freyer is the Common
wealth's attorney, and the sheriff and
other Court officers are also favorably
known. With such general confidence
in the surroundings of the next trial
there is general belief that Every
thing is for the best, after ALL If
the verdict had been one of conviction
the residents here feel that violence
would have followed and that it would
have extended to others than witness
es, jurors and those who had taken
part in the prosecution. Col. Williams
is at Frankfort tonight conferring
with the Governor regarding the with
drawal of the troops. It is under
stood that he has advised the Gov
ernor that no number of troops can
stop the lurking fire bugs or hidden
assassins, but that at least one COM
pany should be kept in Jackson as
long as Provost Marshal Longmire is
kept in charge of the town.
There is a feeling of relief here TO-
night so far as old scores are concern
ed, but there is still a reign of terror
because it is believed. that "others
have been marked"
DETAILS OF THE CASE.
Jackson. KY, June 19-The jury in
with the murder of Lawyer James B.
Marcum, was discharged today, hav-
ing been unable to agree. At s.
O'Clock the jury fled into the Court
room and Foreman Richard Millard
said: "Your Honor, we find there is
no chance of coming to an agree
ment.' - Judge Redwine said: 81 will
have to keep you gentlemen together
until Saturday unless you get q ver-
dict soon. There is no reason why
verdict should not be reached in this
case. - Foreman Millard said: "One
man has as much right to his opinion as
another and he may stick to it, It is
believed from this that there was only
one man between the verdict Of guilty
or not guilty. Later the jury again
reported it was unable to agree and
shortly after 9 O'Clock it was discharg-
ed so that there will be another trial.
The dominant faction evidently expect
ed acquittal, but there was at least
one juror who would not so report.
The scene after the announcement was
in no wise exciting. Some started to
clap hands, but were stopped by the
Court. The guards took immediate
possession of the prisoners and they
were closely guarded back to jail. Peo-
pie gathered around the Court House
in knots, discussing the case, but there
was no disturbance nor outward signs.
Attorney Byrd, after consultation,
made motion for a change of venue.
Judge Redwine refused to bear argu-
ments. but of his own accord changed
the venue to Cynthiana, Harrison
County, at the next term of Court.
Cynthiana is not in Judge Redwine's
district. He surprised the spectators
by ordering the prisoners sent to Lex
ington under detachment of soldiers
and accompanied by Jones.